Film Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Director: David Fincher

Adapting one of the bestselling books of a generation into a film is always going to be a tall order. Everyone has their own thoughts and ideas about the locations and themes within the book, which means that when they are portrayed on the big screen they quite often disagree with how things are done. Steven Zaillian wrote the adapted screenplay and David Fincher was tasked with directing the English speaking version of the book. The second problem they had was that there is already a Swedish language version of the book which received very positive reviews on release. Even before the film was out many people were saying they wouldn't be watching it as they liked the Swedish version and didn't see the need for an English speaking version.

The trailer for the movie which came out last year is superb and is one of the best I have seen in recent years. With so many people having read the book you didn't need to give too much way in terms of plot but visually it looks great and the music is a perfect accompaniment. If you haven't seen it or want to watch it again you can play it below:

Fincher and Zaillian are very faithful to the book whilst trying to streamline it as the film could easily run up to 4 hours if you tried to include every element of the book. This was crucial in getting fans of Larsson's books onside as major changes to the plot would have made the film's success so much more difficult to achieve. This is the way it is meant to be seen but it does mean that there is only so much that can be added in the writing and directing of the movie.

The snowy back drop used as Hedestad and Hedeby Island is Hofsta Sateri in Sweden. It is remarkably similar to what I envisioned the Vanger estate being like and I think Fincher as well as Jeff Cronenweth did an amazing job in choosing the location. There is always something about the snow and cold locations that makes everything seem a lot more tense and sinister, which is also captured brilliantly within this film. A lot of scenes the camera seems to dull any distinct colours so that all you are left with is an unending sea of grey and dark colours, it represents a dark and unsavoury side to the Island that Vagners call home.

Vanger estate on Hedeby Island

Daniel Craig plays disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist. He was unconvincing in the early parts of the film but once he appears at the door of Salander's (amazingly accurate portrayal by Rooney Mara) apartment, and talks to her about the case after forcing his way in, there are no doubts that he impresses. But Rooney Mara is the real hero of this movie as is her character, the hacking genius Lisbeth Salander. She plays her with all the social awkwardness portrayed in the book but makes us believe that she can be cold and calculating when she needs to be. At no point in the film does Mara or Fincher let you try to feel sympathy for Salander.

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander

Stellan Skarsgard plays Martin Vanger to brilliant effect, the normal and compassionate head of a failing corporation but a totally messed up and warped mind underneath. His was a performance that really impressed alongside the main duo. An amazing effect that was only pointed out to me after I had originally watched the movie, when Blomkvist is having dinner at Martin Vanger's house with him and his wife you can hear the wind echoing which sounds eerily like a girl screaming. Only later in the film do you realise the true reason why it sounded like this, it was a brilliant yet very subtle addition.

The title sequence at the start featuring the same music from the trailer was a weird touch that seemed to last far too long, I was really unsure as to why this was included within the film especially at such length. The liquid monochrome looked good but surely could have been compacted down, maybe Fincher felt this was the only section he would be given free rein on. My main criticism though is that I never believed in Salander and Blomkvist as a couple when they were lying with each other in bed or making love. Blomkvist interrupting during intercourse to state his thoughts on the case was a bizarre moment to say the least.

3/4 a great reflection on the book but hard to gauge whether I really liked them film because of the story or because of what they did with it.