The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Certified: 18
Duration: 158 minutes
Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright, Steven Berkoff, Yorick Van Wagenigen, Joely Richardson, Goran Visnjic, Embeth Davidtz, Elodie Yung, Julian Sands
KRS release
In 2010, the excellent Let Me In was released. This was a remake of the 2008 Swedish film Let The Right One In – another excellent movie.
This is an absorbing film, one that lures you in hook, line and sinker- Johan Galea
The result was two brilliant versions of the story, one the precursor of the other.
This is the same case with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
The 2009 Swedish version was one of my favourite films that year.
This remake, by none other than David Fincher, is equally excellent.
Those who have not seen the first film will find a riveting picture full of surprises.
For those like myself, already familiar with the storyline, they might not be surprised, but will still end up ensnared in the story and immersed in the atmosphere.
Mr Fincher is not competing with the first version but rather giving us his own stylish take and the way he tells the story makes sure that we are aboard for the tumultuous ride.
Daniel Craig plays the part of journalist and publisher extraordinaire Mikael Blomkvist. He has just been given a veritable drubbing when he loses a libel case against millionaire investor Hans-Erik Wennerstrom (Ulf Friberg).
Broke and suffering from low morale, he meets with wealthy businessman Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) and takes him up on a proposition.
Vanger promises him money but more importantly evidencethat will back Blomkvist up against Wennerstrom.
What Blomkvist has to do is crack an unsolved case that dates back to the 1960s and to the disappearance of Henrik’s 16-year-old niece.
Mikael takes on the case, pretending he is writing Henrik’s biography and goes to live on Hedestad Island where the Vanger clan lives.
This is worrying for his lover/editor Erika (Robin Wright Penn). Mikael starts digging up the dirt and this leads to uncomfortable situations with Henrik’s middle-aged nephew Martin (Stellan Skarsgard).
Needing assistance, he enrols Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a computer genius and ward of the state.
She stands out of the crowd due to her multiple piercings and tattoos.
This leads to an uneasy and unusual alliance as well as a journey of discovery as both learn about the past, the present, themselves and one another.
The film succeeds on various counts. First and foremost there is the bond that seems to tangibly exist between Mara Rooney, Daniel Craig and director David Fincher.
Many, including myself, have asked whether there was the need of an English language remake of this recent Swedish film.
On viewing the adaptation of the book which had been titled Men Who Hate Women, spectators will realise why.
This is an absorbing film, one that lures you in hook, line and sinker.
Mr Fincher has once again made all the right choices showing his knack for bringing together actors and characters.
A good match with scriptwriter Steve Zaillan, Mr Fincher uses the original film as a spring board from which to catapult his version.
He does not ignore its existence, nor does he remain in its shadow. The film has a build-up of tension that is nerve-wracking, even for those who have seen the original.
The cast brings something a little extra to screen.
Mara Rooney in particular had the really tough act to follow as Noomi Rapace’s performance had been simply stellar.
Ms Rooney imbues her Salander with toughness, attitude and a previously unseen vulnerability. While the original film was made for television, then given a cinematic release, Mr Fincher’s work is cinematic brilliance, making everything appear all that much bigger.
Outwardly it looks like a detective story. Innately this is more than that. This film deals with loneliness, anger, repression, control and more.
Coming from the director who presented a masterpiece such as Se7en, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo should be on your watch list to really kick off the year in style.