I’ve not been looking forward to writing my review or impressions of the 2011 version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. This is because I haven’t seen the 2009 original (and nor will I) and I have no interest in reading the Stieg Larsson Millennium trilogy on which it and any sequels are based. However, set against that is David Fincher, a director whose recent films have had me spellbound. The Social Network, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Zodiac are among my favourite films of the decade. I have Fincher Fangirl credentials. I’ve been lucky enough to hear Fincher speak at the BFI and I’ve seen him on the red carpet at Cannes. I’m looking forward to his interpretation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea just as I’ve been keenly awaiting the release of Dragon Tattoo. Despite the fact that it’s not the sort of film I would have seen otherwise. This ‘review’ is very much, then, a personal impression.
Forty years before the film is set, a young girl, Harriet, disappears from her wealthy family home on an island in the north of Sweden. All these years later, her great uncle Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) hires journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and computer hacker and investigator Lisbeth Salande (Rooney Mara) to discover whom amongst his relatives on the island was responsible for her murder. Of course it’s not that simple. Blomkvist needs to get away, having just been disgraced in court. Lisbeth is another kettle of fish entirely. Having been judged as mentally unfit to look after her own affairs, she’s the ward of the state and victim to such corruptions of the system that it’s a miracle she has any sanity. For her too, this case is an escape and a means to an end.
The case itself forms the frame for the film and offers the cold, bleak setting of an icy island for its location, but it is only one aspect of the story itself – the fragile and not particularly sympathetic recovery of Blomkvist and Lisbeth as well as their connection with each other. This lack of focus in the plot hampered the thriller element for me. Nor was its solution a surprise.
According to the poster – which I cannot stand – ‘Evil shall with evil be expelled’. I’m not entirely certain to whom or what the second evil refers. I hope it’s not supposed to mean Lisbeth, although the way she’s displayed on the poster, I’m not so sure. Lisbeth is a victim for all her fighting against it and this poster glamorises the predation that has fed off her. Rooney Mara, however, is sensational and completely scene-stealing. I feared for her and loved to see her free on her bike. Daniel Craig as Blomkvist is not as entirely successful. For one thing, he is the only character that I noticed not to be given an accent. Why? Is it because he couldn’t do it? He does manage to put Bond behind him – he can be hurt and he can be killed. It’s always good to see Christopher Plummer.
Dragon Tattoo‘s composer Trent Rezner also composed the outstanding soundtrack for The Social Network. I didn’t need to know that. The music was so similar, and so less good, that I could have guessed. Throughout I was reminded of another, better film.
All this brings me to my problem with Dragon Tattoo. It is a good film and it kept my attention despite its length. It is visually arresting and some of the acting is fine indeed. The opening credits to the wonderful Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song adaptation is fantastic. Indeed, considering the story, which is not my type of thing at all, I liked it much more than I would have expected. However, I have no idea why David Fincher made this film. Zodiac was a far better investigation of a serial killer as well as a completely immersive recreation of a past time and place. Se7en was far more frightening and memorable. The Social Network was extraordinarily original and witty and Benjamin Button was, for me, utterly bewitching and draining. Dragon Tattoo, for all its qualities, is a remake and it will always be compared to the original. Ironically, if it had been directed by someone else, I may have been far less critical of it (that’s if I had gone to see it in the first place, of course).
I can’t say anything about the movie yet. I have no idea why Fincher made a remake. My guess is – a secret lies in the books. They are very unique, fantastic read. Lisbeth in books made a huge impression on me. I knew she will be a main character in the series. I knew she will be great, but she exceeded my expectations. She’s one of the three book’s female characters important to me the most. My favourite part is a second one. After reading those books I’m not surprised Fincher made a movie. Maybe he likes them too. In other two parts so many different things goes on, that I’m sure they will make them into the movies as well. I hope so, at least.
From all those Fincher’s films you named – I know only Seven and Zodiac, which is not my favourite Jake’s movie, though I like it. The rest of the movies is still on my list to be watched.
I think TGWADT was the most awaited by the people who love Millennium books. Then by D. Fincher and D. Craig fans.
Hi Mermon – you must let me know what you think of the movie once you’ve seen it
It’ll be interesting to hear from someone who enjoys the books if the film does it justice.
I thought it was totally engrossing. I have both read the book and seen the original film. The book was a little boring during the exposition on the large family, but the film overcame this trapping to be very engrossing. I liked the original enough, that I was certain the US version would pale. Until I saw it was a Fincher product. And it totally blew me away! It was so much more compelling than the other material. Craig is like a modern woman’s Steve McQueen, and Rooney was riveting. I really liked Zodiac (for many more reasons than the “one” that drew me to initially go see it), but I liked this one better.
OMG, random flashback: Zodiac was the first time I went out alone after having my baby 5 years ago. The previews were like a half hour long, and the film was sooooo long that I was freaking out, Jake or no Jake. And then that scene where he says he’s gonna throw her baby out the window! I had to run out to the lobby & call home to check in. Haha. Funny random memory.
But anyhooo…I always enjoy your movie reviews. Still haven’t found time to see Melancholia, to find out which camp I’m in.
BTW, in the past I commented as “tankergirl.” This new handle is for my goofy blog.
Just received my Entertainment Weekly, which is loaded with TGWTDT coverage. I think you’d enjoy the review. Maybe it will warm you to the film somewhat, which would be good, as he is committed to doing the 2nd story, as well. I now must face that I have a Rooney Mara girl crush. She got REAL piercings for the role. Ouch.
Thanks so much for commenting Te! And for letting me know who you are
I am so glad that you enjoyed the film so much. I definitely see my lack of connection with the film as being my fault an not Fincher’s – I have a problem with killer movies. Although, having said that, I thought Zodiac was so brilliantly executed it never seemed to get in the way. Good to know about the second film. I’m really pleased you like the reviews 
I’ve asked the same question several times – why in the world would Fincher choose to do a re-make. I’ve seen the Swedish movies, and I wasn’t very impressed by them at all — something that has gotten me into more than one heated discussion, I can assure you.
I found them filled with plot holes, poor acting, unrealistic portrayals of human beings and tiresome repetition – just as any other crime novel turned into movie… I’ve seen a couple of clips from Fincher’s movie (I don’t intend to sit through that story one more time), and I think it’s unfortunate that he chose to give the actors accents. It sounds ridiculous, and they haven’t even managed to nail down a Swedish accent. Some sound like the come from the Netherlands, some from Germany, but no one sounds like us. 
But perhaps that only sounds ridiculous in Swedish ears? And pretty much every reporter in Sweden has asked the same thing as you — why not Daniel Craig?
Hi Anna! Thanks for commenting. I’m not sure I’d want to sit through the story twice either. It is odd though that Craig is the only one who doesn’t speak with an accent but I don’t understand why any do because they’re all speaking English!