Plot: Based on the worldwide bestselling Swedish novel of the same name, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo centers around discredited reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and his socially maladjusted research assistant Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). After Blomkvist loses a court battle against business magnate Hans-Erik Wennerstrom, Swedish business tycoon Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) invites Mikael to investigate the 40 year old murder of his great-niece Harriet Vanger. Enticed by the money and the promise from Henrik that he will help him nail Wennerstrom, Blomkvist accepts the offer and delves into the mystery. However, before long Mikael realizes he desperately needs a research assistant and tracks down Lisbeth Salander, the same person who did his background check for Henrik Vanger. Armed with Salander's genius level computer and research skills and dogged determination, Blomkvist and Salander nevertheless find themselves soon ensconced in a mystery that ranges far beyond Harriet's murder.
Review: As an avid reader I always approach the film adaptation of a popular novel with a certain degree of trepidation. There's always a certain amount of expectation that builds up and a total film disaster is not unheard of. For every success (Silence of the Lambs, The Lord of the Rings) there is an epic failure (Eragon, Congo). The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo had twice as much to live up to. Not only was the film battling the scrutiny of fans of the novel but also fans of the Swedish films starring Noomi Rapace.
I'm ecstatic to say that director David Fincher's 2011 version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a triumph of film making and will likely please both fans of the novel and the Swedish film. Tattoo succeeds on every level from the breathtaking Swedish countryside, to pulse pounding score, to the iconic and riveting acting performances. At just over 2 1/2 hours the film flies by with an intensity that only the best thrillers provide. And like all great films, this one left a strong impression that kept me thinking about it long after the credits had rolled.
The tone for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is set with the opening credits. The opening sequence plays like a goth/James Bond video that is difficult to describe other than the main features are people in oiled up black and white set to the background of a souped up version of Led Zepplin's "Immigrant Song." Tattoo's opening is reminiscent of one of Fincher's earlier works, Fight Club. The adrenaline of the opening credits (the credits mind you!) indicates the thrill ride that is to come. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's score continues to generate energy throughout the rest of the film. The two musicians previously collaborated with Fincher on The Social Network and won an Academy Award. Unless Fincher decides to ever do a period piece, he might as well just pencil these two in for every film he does from now on. The Girl with the Tattoo is easily the best score I've heard this year.
As for Fincher, he rarely makes bad films and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is no exception. Not only is he faithful to the source material (with a few minor exceptions) his direction captured the raw reality of the human condition. Tattoo is stunning in its starkness, whether it is in the brutal snowy landscapes of Hedestad (where Mikael's investigation originates) or the equally brutal rape (and revenge) scenes that were again reminiscent of another Fincher work-Seven. Fincher unflinchingly reveals the dark side of human nature whether it's greed, murder, or simple indifference.
Fincher's vision would never have come to fruition without the help of cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth. Although there were several memorable shots in the film, the one that stood out was the initial shot of Henrik Vanger's house on Hedeby Island. The zoom in shot made the house loom like the Overlook Hotel from The Shining and implied dark secrets within an outwardly beautiful home.
Steven Zaillian's screenplay adaptation is superb. Not only is it faithful to the book, the scenes are tight and dialogue driven and punctuated with the requisite amount of action and intrigue. It is a credit to both Fincher and Zaillian that although I knew the plot of the movie (I've read the books) and how it was going to turn out, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo still kept me on the edge of my seat. The suspense was that palpable.
Without question The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo anchors itself with its iconic characters. Casting was paramount in the production of this film and I don't think producer Scott Rudin could have done a better job. Craig is excellent as Blomkvist, showing a reservation that completely counters his role as James Bond. He's completely believable as an intrepid journalist and as a doting father.
While Stellen Skarsgard's role as nephew Martin Vanger intrigues with every scene, Christopher Plummer as Henrik Vanger almost steals the show. His Vanger is exactly how I pictured him in the novel. Plummer is equal parts charismatic, friendly, dogged, loving, and a little manipulative. Those are not easy traits to bring together. I only wish he could have been in more scenes. In spite of this I think he has a good shot at getting a Best Supporting Actor nomination this year.
Then there is Rooney Mara's Lisbeth Salander. I can't begin to describe how profound her performance is in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She deftly captures the essence of Larsson's Salander. The social awkwardness that borders on the pathological (Salander at one point freely admits she's insane), her genius skill with computers and research, her raw sexuality, her unapologetic nature...it's all there. In spades. Equally as important as the personality of Salander were the physical aspects of the character, and again Mara triumphs here. Rooney went full on method with this role, taking up smoking, getting her nose, ears, and nipples pierced, and even learning how to drive a motorcycle. With black short cropped hair and bleached eyebrows, Mara owns this role.
I have the utmost respect for any actor or actress that takes risks, and Mara certainly has my vote of confidence. Rape scenes are not easy to do. Not only are they uncomfortable by nature, but you can't half-ass it or it is not believable. Mara just flat out went for it. She is totally invested in both rape scenes and doesn't shy away from the grit and grime. It demonstrates an honest performance and makes her ultimate revenge that much more impactful. Despite the fact that Salander is a borderline psychopath somehow you find yourself rooting for her. If Mara doesn't receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress you might as well flush the whole award show down the toilet and get Kei$ha to host the damn thing.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a stunning cinematic achievement. It is quite literally the reason we go to the movies.
My rating: 10/10
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