(SPOILER FREE)
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was greater than I would ever have expected. The american version, directed by David Fincher, is a very solid adaptation of the novel written by Stieg Larsson. Rooney Mara’s performance as Lisbeth is pretty solid, although it has been compared to the one made by the actress Noomi Rapace who plays the same character in the swedish version, and so her acting has been judged as empty and insufficient. However, for those who are able to evaluate and appreciate all the elements separately, Mara’s interpretation of Lisbeth Salander will seem proper and very typical of David Fincher’s films. I would say that both works, the swedish and the american, should be enjoyed as two pieces that form a whole, both are different and beautiful in their own essence.
Daniel Craig does an incredible Mikael Blomkvist, volatile, dark, perhaps the most faithful reflection of the original work embodied in the tape; same does Christopher Plummer (who recently received a Golden Globe for hir performance in Beginners) as Henrik Vanger and Stellan Skarsgård as Martin Vanger. On the other hand, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross created the ideal atmosphere for the development of events in the film. The sounds become one with the story as it progresses, and they slowly transform into a transmitting device of feelings, emotions and images. The movie moves slowly, to the point of lasting 158 minutes, and yet you will be completely immersed in it. I highly recommend this film to those who loved Fincher’s previous film, The Social Network, since much of the essence he put in that picture also stays in this one and it even intensifies: the slow pace and melodic, artistic combination of extended sequence shots, sober scenarios but carefully crafted, plus an ending that causes mixed feelings and leaves the viewer wishing for a sequel.
Finally, I recommend reading the book after watching the movie because that way is much easier to remember the names in Swedish. For me 10/10 is not enough rating for this movie.
This review is also available in spanish, click here.
