I wasn’t even going to go. I saw the entire Dragon Tattoo trilogy in subtitled splendor last year, and frankly, I thought it was another example of American self-centeredness when I heard the film was being done in English as well. I hate that we Americans are too lazy to sit through subtitled films and require them to be done in English instead. But it looked interesting in the previews, and I didn’t review it in Danish, so I decided to go. And I was thrilled that I had.
The new version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is far superior to the original. I will just leave any comparison to the earlier version at that, because there is so much to say about it that there is no point in wasting time with “this version versus that version.”
Let’s start with the plot development. In any film with a complicated, detailed story, going from scene to scene can be awkward; the seams become visible and you lose the point, or the point is so in-your-face that you are furious at the storyteller for not letting you find it for yourself. The early part of Dragon Tattoo takes us from scene to scene a lot. And it’s brilliantly—and seamlessly—developed, so you are filing away all kinds of details that seem to crop up again with clarity when you need them.
The character development is the best I’ve seen all year. Michael Bloomkvist, played by Daniel Craig, is compelling as the thorough, naive journalist who unravels the mystery with the help of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Lisbeth Salander, played by Rooney Mara. Mara steals the show with her compelling portrayal of a tortured young woman who is not afraid to be bold. She is slow and methodical, but fleet of foot and creative of mind. She is what we all wish we could be—she follows only her own drummer and does only what makes sense to her, even if it only makes sense to her. And when she emerges as a stunning butterfly, we realize that we all have Lisbeth in us, or we hope we do. I love this character. I love the way her layers are gently folded back throughout the film. I never give much away in my reviews, but when she turns to Bloomkvist at one point and stops dead in her tracks, asking, “Can I kill him?” we know that she is special. Yet another lesson in not judging books by their covers.
The cinematography is subtle perfection. Sometimes great cinematography comes off like still-life photography (My Week with Marilyn is one example of this), but in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, it is almost slow-motion brilliance. Certain scenes are difficult to stomach, but they are compelling enough to make you wish you could watch them again to see if you missed any nuance, or any detail that you might need to remember later. The scenes I’m talking about depict abuse of power and sexual rape in ways that sear the soul. Not many directors dare to present more than a few seconds of a rape sequence; no one is sure we can take them. David Fincher takes it on full force, in a way that allows us to watch without looking away, and he does it without sacrificing the horror. Kudos to you, David. Well done.
Christopher Plummer was perfectly cast in his role as the patriarch who never quite recovered from his niece’s disappearance years earlier. We have seen Mr. Plummer in many roles, but the close-ups on him in this role give him a new opportunity to strut the stuff of which legends are made. I sat next to him at a tennis match once, and I have to say after that I wasn’t a fan. He was obnoxious and pompous, a combination I find particularly irritating. But I give it to you in this one, Mr. Plummer.
We have to take a moment to mention Stieg Larsson, who wrote this trilogy about a young woman’s struggle with greed, kindness, and abuse. The novel is set in a sea of intrigue, and it is so suspenseful that you may never sleep soundly again if you read it. He weaves his tale brilliantly, and I am sad that he never lived to see his work come to the screen, because it lends itself to the medium perfectly. It is complex but decipherable, and filled with interesting, flawed, and relatable characters. The setting makes you want to get on a plane, even in the dead of winter.
This is a must-see. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I probably would not have gone (or waited for the television version) but you’ve talked me into it – Thanks
Thanks for the great review. I, too, saw the subtitled version and really liked it. Thought it well done. Was thinking the English version would just be a “re-do” in English, but you’ve convinced me it would be worth it to take this one in. Thanks.