David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Movie Review
Hollywood, Reviews — By Cinemausher on March 8, 2012 3:41 pm
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is based on the famous Swedish Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Like many others I have read all the 3 novels and I have relished each of them. It is always a Catch 22 situation when you go to watch a movie after reading the book its based on; as you envisioned it a way, and the Director might have portrayed it quite differently when compared to your vision. In this case even more when the first part of Swedish Movie has been such a cult among cinegoers. Though the same cannot be said of the second and third part of the Swedish Television Series. Then there is the classic disaster of the American Version of the Swedish Original Let the Right One In, we all know how bad the American Version was. But coming to the Hollywood remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo then this is not an ordinary Remake, at the helm we have David Fincher one of the best American Filmmakers to emerge from Hollywood of late.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Begins with Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) who is facing a libel suit from Wennerström, which has almost threatened his life-savings, and he has to resign from the Independent Millennium Magazine in order to save the Reputation of the Magazine. In the Meantime he gets an offer to write a memoir for business magnate Henrik Vagner (Christopher Plummer). But his main intention is to find out the mystery of murder of his niece Harriet which took place 36 years ago. In return Henrik offers a considerable amount of money and inside scoop on Wennerström. In parallel runs the story of Lisbeth Slander (Rooney Mara) a socially incompetent girl who at the age of 23 is still under the ward of State, the Hacker who is brutally raped by her attorney.
Meanwhile Mikael while unraveling the mystery of disappearance, realizes that he needs the help of a Research Assistant and he offers Lisbeth Slander the job. And slowly they realize that this may be the case of a serial murderer, and when they probe further skeletons come out of closet of Wagner Family’s past History. Rests of the movie shows how both of them solve the murder mystery of Harriet and how Mikael gets back to Wennerström.
Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist is a delight to watch and this I feel is one of his best performances in recent times, while Christopher Plummer is excellent in role of Henrik Wagner.Stellan Skarsgård as Martin Wagner in a brief role does justice to the role. Rooney Mara reprises a role which has been made immortal by Noomi Rapace, the only silver lining of the Swedish Series. RooneyMara is the same girl who played Erica Albright in Fincher’s previous film, The Social Network. I feel she is an apt choice for the role and performs very well, those who have not seen the Swedish Version they would enjoy her acting even more.
David Fincher is one of the best people who can adapt the book and add inputs which only enhance the story as witnessed in The Fight Club.
This is not a remake of Swedish Version; it is his interpretation of his novel. Kudos to Fincher, for making this film which even though has a run time of more than 150 minutes you do not feel bored even for a single moment. At the end of the day he provides audience not only with a thrilling story but a great human story which does not shy away from being dark but is also one of the most provocative films of 2011. I am excited to see that it is just beginning of the trilogy; the first part of this fully satiates our hunger as a fan of the book and movie. Check out the opening credits of this movie here to know how Fincher uses his brilliance in setting the tone of this movie. Full marks to Fincher to make this emerge as Lisbeth Slander’s movie and not that of Mikael Blomkvist, and also making her character more strong-willed. I guess even Stieg would be happy with the changes he made for this movie.
Special mention about the editing of Agnus Wall and Kirk Baxter and 3 cheers to Trent Razor, for blessing us with his creation.
Cinemausher
Raconteur,cinephile,bookholic,Liberal.Dombivili Boy,Selfopinionated,Old Lazy extra fat boy
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Nice review
..i too heard almost positive and good things about the girl with the dragon tattoo, it is the most Under-rated film of this year..lacking from the nomination in academy award.
Thanks,Academy have history of doing that.The only reason academy gave Artist was it glorified Hollywood.
This is such a finely crafted film, that watching it was a sheer pleasure, though I haven’t watched the swedish version but I have read the book and then when I watched this film, it was a gloriously satisfying watch! A very good review of a very good movie
Salil,Thanks. I feel if anyone has read the book and then watched the movie they could have better understanding not a sper the movie but the genius called David Fincher.
Watch the first part, rest two can be avoided in swedish.
Exactly, Cuz the Book is always so detailed that content of the movie seems to be a dwarf in front of that, but when you look at it, the way it moves, from one scene to another, mysteriously and maintaining its pace and the feel of the book at the same time, and then each and every shot is given appropriate time so that viewers can absorb it, it becomes very satisfying!! Its David Fincher, proving his fine craftsmanship everywhere!!