Rated R
2 hours 35 minutes

Traditionally, a classic foreign film is always better than its American re-make. However, that’s not the case when it’s “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”.  This dark thriller improves on the Swedish version, and makes a star out of Rooney Mara in the title role. She plays a strange, unconventional character whose like nobody you’ve ever seen before.

Mara’s instantly one of the screen’s most memorable characters, easily over-shadowing Daniel Craig as a writer investigating the mysterious disappearance of a wealthy young woman years ago. Her Father, Christopher Plummer has always suspected there’s a murderer on the loose.

You should know going in that “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” believes in avenging all the wrongs that predatory men have done to her.

Director David Fincher shows the squeamish no mercy with his starkly graphic scenes that push the R-rating to the limit.  Mara’s relationship with Daniel Craig turns into a strange mixture of lust and mutual respect.

What we’ve got here is a compelling and deeply troubling psychological thriller. “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” makes such an indelible impression, you’ll feel guilty giving this brilliant film anything less than 4 stars. It is a spellbinder.