The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Watch Trailer Video Clip: Framed Flowers Video Interview with The Cast
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Daniel Craig, Embeth Davidtz, Joely Richardson, Stellan Skarsgard
Details: US/157mins 18
Craig is Swedish journalist Mikael Blomkvist, a man who has just been dragged through the courts for a story he published, having his good name ruined and life savings wiped in the process. Offered a job working for a rich Swedish family by Christopher Plummer's retrospective old man, Mikael is tasked with finding out who killed his niece over forty years ago. Before Mikael was hired, a background check was done on him by the genius-like (but socially awkward) Lisbeth Salander (Mara). Deciding that he needs a research assistant, the pair begin working together to get to the bottom of a mystery that has spanned decades.
Intrinsically layered and packed with characters and subplot, the thrill here for Fincher was obviously in pulling all of the threads together in a cohesive and exciting manner. There's an intensity to proceedings that he manages to stretch out over the two hour-plus running time. Visually stunning but not ostentatious, this is probably closest to his minor masterpiece Zodiac in terms of tone. It's a procedural thriller at its core, and the challenge here is at first engaging the audience. Zallian's script truncates the book skilfully, and the pace never falters enough for the audience to notice.
It will undoubtedly be an uncomfortable watch for some, but said disturbing scenes - and one in particular - are a turning point for Lisbeth, who doesn't get as much screen time as Blomkvist. While he's off sleuthing, she's going through a series of horrific ordeals and her subsequent actions make her an even more fascinating character.
There's no doubt about it, Mara is a revelation as Salander. Following in the footsteps of Noomi Repace was never going to be easy, but the American actress is excellent in a tricky role. Craig needed to impress after a couple of recent disappointments, and he turns in a solid performance here. Fincher's penchant for countless takes and ace casting pays dividends, as ever.
Not the director's best work by any stretch of the imagination, but this remake is cerebral, foreboding and generally atmospheric stuff.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
BwZ
Quick correction on your review here, but this is not based on all three books, only the first.
Posted 16/12/2011 09:41:44
christopher buckley
Its brutal violence and adult will undoubtfully put some people off but for everyone else this is greatly paced thriller with snappy writing and great performances from its leads
Posted 23/12/2011 16:59:02
Jonathan Butthole
Full disclosure: I have never read the books that this American-financed remake is based upon, nor have I seen the hugely successful Swedish productions that followed it. ... Zallian's script truncates the book skilfully, and the pace never falters enough for the audience to notice. ... Following in the footsteps of Noomi Repace was never going to be easy, ...Wtf Mike?
Posted 26/12/2011 13:53:57
FilmBuff76
From its distinctive Bond-style credit sequence, scratchy music and dark obsession with the twisted side of human nature, there's no mistaking that we're in David Fincher territory here. He's a perfect fit for this sturdy, well-made English-language adaptation of the first book in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy. While the Swedish versions were decent but not quite cinematic enough, this is a more tightly-focused (though equally long) and accessible version. Thankfully, the Swedish setting is kept and some disturbing scenes have been retained rather than sanitised or left out. Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara are both excellent, with Mara playing Lisbeth somewhere between a child and an adult - independent, fierce, damaged and yet not devoid of emotion. It's a tricky balance, but she pulls it off very well. All in all, a very good film indeed. Highly recommended.
Posted 27/12/2011 22:05:42
A boo boo Mc C moo
Im going, Ill be back Mc C Mooooo0
Posted 28/12/2011 14:15:29
Mike Sheridan
@Butthole Repace was lauded for her work and is now a Hollywood lead - hence that comment. And I didn't need to read the books to know they are long or that the film is a fine adaptation.
Posted 28/12/2011 15:54:22
A boo boo Mc C moo
I just got back, I have to say the previous version seemed to cramp the new ons space. If you have not seen it before you will undoubtedly enjoy it. I personally like the first, and Hollywood is trying to give the mona lisa a better smile and make a few bucks. The acting is very good with the Lizbeth character playing it really well(Marra), she is I think a different kind of edgy, and that was pretty cool. All in all good movie
Posted 28/12/2011 21:08:06
Karma-King
Cant believe youve never seen the sweedish version, such a gem of a movie ! I came here in the hopes youd tell me if it ruined the story by hollywood-ising it far beyond the point of no return; but if you havnt seen it I guess youre no help. Guess I just gotta go see it then...
Posted 28/12/2011 23:04:54
Other Ciara
The first Swedish one was good. After that they became dull and drawn out. Although I liked them as a whole I hope the Hollywood versions are made a bit more exciting
Posted 30/12/2011 19:37:54
Amazed
Mike I'm so disappointed in you as a journalist/writer/reviewer to say that you dont need to read a book to know that the film is a fine adaptation. How you can say, with a straight face, that the film is an accurate representation of the book when you have never even read the book is baffling to me. What exactly are you basing your opinion on then !!!
Posted 04/01/2012 11:36:35
Mike Sheridan
My opinion, "Amazed." I was as honest as I could be but used the word "adaptation" instead of "film." Take it as you will
Posted 04/01/2012 12:38:04
Rusty
Mike never said it was an "accurate representation of the book", Amazed, he said it was a fine adaptation - using the noun interchangeably with "film." His review is based on his opinion of whether or not GWTDT works as a film, & the review is really informative & descriptive in that regard. You know there are critics out there who claim to have read the book & seen the original who have not, so kudos to Mike for being upfront & reviewing it on its own merits - many people who go see it won't have seen the original or read the book either & don't want to hear about other incarnations, just if this is worth seeing - & in that regard, you can't fault the review. Really helpful!
Posted 05/01/2012 03:20:32
Eve
I enjoyed this version but I have to say that I preferred Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth in the Swedish Movies. I didn't seem to care much about Lisbeth as much in this version. The title sequence seemed totally out of place to me. Still an enjoyable movie and for people who haven't read the books or seen the swedish movies it is a good stand alone flick.
Posted 11/01/2012 09:42:09
spikeprint
I agree with Amazed. No reference should be made to the books or the originals if they haven't been seen/read. It lowers the value of the review. To take the film on its own merit would be a fairer analysis. As it stands, with interchangable nouns or not, it is flawed. Especially when that point is layed out in the opening paragraph.
Posted 13/01/2012 19:20:04
KickedArse
Eeeer is that not what he has done by pointing that out!? Reading into the reading into of it a bit much there lads.
Posted 14/01/2012 00:55:51
jim
as i have both versions of the first of the 3 films i think i prefer the swedish versions as they are more close to the books.and are more gritty
Posted 14/01/2012 21:11:30
MadamC
Mike, how can you say the source material is 'certainly elevated' if you haven't read it? Full disclosure: I didn't bother reading past your first paragraph.
Posted 20/01/2012 13:39:48
gerorda
I thought it(american version) was slick, well paced and throughly entertaining, save the rape scene, which was as gruesome as the swedish version. both salanders are equally memorable. and maybe rooney mara just edges it as she is nearer the age of the character and therefore more vulnerable. i dont think i will get over Martin Jarvis as a nazi! and wasn't it nice to see Julien Sands in a decent role as the younger Hansen. loved both versions but remake for once wins!
Posted 01/02/2012 19:54:46
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Your Reviews...
Let's hope for sequels - Colm2305
Stieg Larssons book 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' uses the story of a millionaire's murdered niece to introduce us... MORE29/01/2012 15:19:46Rooney Mara saves the day - Mark
I have read the books and also seen the disappointing (IMO) Swedish films. Rooney Mara makes for a really good... MORE08/01/2012 19:15:46
Better second time around - mart1n
When I heard that the girl with the Dragon Tattoo was being remade into an English language speaking movie i was a... MORE05/01/2012 12:24:54Excellent - Sarah
The most recent film adaptation of the first in the famous Millemium trilogy, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a good... MORE29/12/2011 19:02:23