The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Directed by:
David FincherScreenplay:
Steven ZaillianCinematography:
Jeff CronenwethCast:
Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, Joely Richardson, Geraldine James (more)VOD (3)
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Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet’s disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vanger’s are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (12)
My slight disappointment stems paradoxically from my ignorance of the book, which is obviously not very suitable for filming. This is because the quantity of names becomes annoying after a while, although otherwise, Fincher does great work as usual in all other components, so we do get a great soundtrack (but this time it's too "off the charts" for the Oscar race:)), excellent cinematography (which underlines the pedantic narrative), and precise actors. But I'll definitely go see it again. The fact that the gardener is the murderer will soon dawn on even the slower folks, but that's beside the point. How we get there is the first priority this time. Fincher is the best director alive right now, period.
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David Fincher's directorial style is beautifully easy to recognize, he imparts it to every one of his films. Brilliantly crafted dialogues, musical score, uncompromising atmosphere. This film could have been made in a number different ways. Essentially, it is a considerably clichéd and well-known story about a serial killer, but in the hands of a master, it becomes a unique cinematic delicacy, where ordinary things are presented in a completely extraordinary and distinctive manner. In the end, it is a seemingly well-behaved and coherent film that is brutally eccentric and demonically precisely shot. I wouldn't expect anything less from Fincher.
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Much better than the Swedish film, much more faithful to the book, with much better chosen actors... I didn't expect that. The biggest asset of Fincher's version (which is by no means a remake of the film, but a new version of the original) is Rooney Mara, who plays Lisbeth Salander. She looks much weirder than Noomi Rapace and gives a much more inscrutable impression, throwing completely irresistible blank stares - she's just great. Daniel Craig plays second fiddle, but he plays it like a virtuoso. The casting of the other roles is also successful without exception, I was very pleased with Robin Wright, and I was also impressed by the performance of the lieutenant Bjurman. David Fincher evoked a very gloomy atmosphere from the very beginning (the credits must have cost as much as a Czech TV movie) and didn't let it go until the end, whilst the screenwriter (unlike the one who messed up the Swedish film) managed to squeeze everything important into two and a half hours, not strangely twisting anything and leaving out only things I could have done without in the book. To deduct stars from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for being "just" a mere genre film would be silly.
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It's obvious that his film is a completely unnecessary contribution considering the two years older original, but that in itself doesn't detract from the fact that it's excellently made and once again highlights Fincher's mastery as a director. After Se7en and The Game, it would seem that he can't surprise with anything, but he makes another great two and a half hour detective story based mainly on interviews and collecting clues, and not only keeps the viewer's attention, but also perfectly imbues them with his dark style and pulls them right into the middle of that merry-go-round. He had already worked with similar material in Zodiac, but here he goes one step further, with not only excellent actors, music and settings, but above all a subtle and clearly defined theme with which he can work miracles. I’m not saying that he’s made a perfect or groundbreaking film, and I understand the lukewarm reception from the supporters of the Swedish original, but for me as a big Fincher fan, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a great experience that I will remember for a long time. 90%
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To make an accurate comparison of both the European and North American versions would mean watching both films at once or shortly after each other. I saw the initial adaptation almost two years ago, so I dare not make a categorical conclusion. Nevertheless, the comparison of both versions and their quality is the most interesting aspect of the whole matter. There is a significant difference between European and American blockbuster films. With the overseas version, it is evident that we are operating in a completely different budget category, so the opening credits nail you to your seats with an audiovisual onslaught when you see the impressive transformations of the main characters' bodies in a sea of liquid latex. You appreciate the top-notch camera work and excellent music accompaniment. Whether it was in exteriors or interiors, no expense was spared. The main male role was, presumably, taken on by one of the highest-paid actors of today, who filled the gap between shooting Bond movies. The whole film was overseen by one of the most acclaimed directors of the past two decades. Instead of unknown European actors, you see internationally known faces of Hollywood stars. A film has been created that will likely have an impact on the Oscars and will successfully be distributed worldwide. There are no significant differences in the plot between the American and European versions; both films try to faithfully bring the book version to the screen within the possibilities of their respective runtimes. The American version is perhaps somewhat more commercial; it aims for a universal appeal to audiences from different cultures and countries, so it doesn't allow the viewer to dwell too much on the unspoken - it is more literal. In some places, that is to the detriment of the story. I would certainly not reduce the relationship between Blomkvist and Lisbeth to a purely sexual level, quite the opposite. Even with the generous runtime, it is surprising how little the film delves into the psychology of individual actors, showing their motivation, the demons that lead to a series of crimes, and the moves of the individual adversaries. As I mentioned before, the American version is more ambitious, and likely better made, as there is a difference between Fincher and Oplev, but when I think about it, Oplev's version is more likable to me after all. Let's not beat around the bush, the "Millennium Trilogy" became a hit not because of the character of the investigative journalist - there are dozens of those in books - but because of the edgy punk girl with somewhat sociopathic behavior and exceptional hacking skills. And here, in my eyes, Noomi Rapace clearly leads the way. She has a peculiar charisma, she is unfamiliar, so one can easily identify with her as Lisbeth and root for her. Rooney Mara is a capable actress, but the chemistry between her and me as a viewer simply did not work as it should have. She even seemed a bit unsympathetic to me, which made it hard to root for her. I can think of a few other names that I would have preferred to see in that role. In any case, this film is definitely worth a trip to the movie theater, if only for its excellent soundtrack and professional execution. Only a few blockbusters maintain a level that doesn't offend film connoisseurs, but I have to say that, emotionally, the American version somehow missed the mark for me. I don't need to see this film again. Overall impression: 75%.
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