By
Caroline Nelissen
Caroline Nelissen
Senior
Reporter
Reporter
AMSTERDAM,
The Netherlands – Based on the first book of the best-selling Millenium trilogy
by Stieg Larsson – and following a succesful Swedish movie adaptation – The
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, directed by David Fincher, had a lot to
live up to.
The Netherlands – Based on the first book of the best-selling Millenium trilogy
by Stieg Larsson – and following a succesful Swedish movie adaptation – The
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, directed by David Fincher, had a lot to
live up to.
As
I have never read any of the books – and only watched a few snippets of the
2009 movie adaptation – I was not at all sure what to expect, but I wasn’t
disappointed.
I have never read any of the books – and only watched a few snippets of the
2009 movie adaptation – I was not at all sure what to expect, but I wasn’t
disappointed.
The
movie follows the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who is asked by a retired
executive to investigate the involvement of several members of the Vanger
family in the disappearance of his niece in the 1960s.
movie follows the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who is asked by a retired
executive to investigate the involvement of several members of the Vanger
family in the disappearance of his niece in the 1960s.
He
is assisted by the unconventional Lisbeth Salander, a skillful young hacker who
has been ruled legally incompetent and rides a kick-ass motorcycle.
is assisted by the unconventional Lisbeth Salander, a skillful young hacker who
has been ruled legally incompetent and rides a kick-ass motorcycle.
I
was surprised at how well Fincher managed to give his movie a somewhat Swedish feel,
even though it is an American adaptation.
was surprised at how well Fincher managed to give his movie a somewhat Swedish feel,
even though it is an American adaptation.
In
my opinion this is a good thing, as I think no setting lends itself better for
this kind of grim story than a desolate and wintery Swedish island. Moreover, the European
atmosphere of the movie is definitely aided by the very sparse use of American
accents and the pace at which the plot moves along.
my opinion this is a good thing, as I think no setting lends itself better for
this kind of grim story than a desolate and wintery Swedish island. Moreover, the European
atmosphere of the movie is definitely aided by the very sparse use of American
accents and the pace at which the plot moves along.
It
took quite a bit of time for the story to finally grab me, as the beginning is pretty
slow – except from a few rather graphic scenes involving Lisbeth and her new
legal guardian. However, from the moment Blomkvist and Salander finally pair up,
it’s pretty captivating. Still, I must admit that I had expected a bit more
originality in terms of plot considering the hype surrounding the book and
other movie adaptation.
took quite a bit of time for the story to finally grab me, as the beginning is pretty
slow – except from a few rather graphic scenes involving Lisbeth and her new
legal guardian. However, from the moment Blomkvist and Salander finally pair up,
it’s pretty captivating. Still, I must admit that I had expected a bit more
originality in terms of plot considering the hype surrounding the book and
other movie adaptation.
I
have been told by some fans to turn to the books to see the story unfold in its
amazing completeness – and I definitely intend to do so.
have been told by some fans to turn to the books to see the story unfold in its
amazing completeness – and I definitely intend to do so.
The
acting in the movie is great and Daniel Craig delivers a solid performance as
the slightly gloomy Blomkvist.
acting in the movie is great and Daniel Craig delivers a solid performance as
the slightly gloomy Blomkvist.
Rooney
Mara, who played was nominated for an
Academy Award in the category “Best Actress in a Leading Role” for her role in
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo– and rightly so.
Mara, who played was nominated for an
Academy Award in the category “Best Actress in a Leading Role” for her role in
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo– and rightly so.
With
her portrayal of the tough yet vulnerable Lisbeth, she manages evoke a great deal of empathy for the
character, who at one moment can seem disturbed almost to the point of unlikeability,
while other times, her unadjusted behavior earned some brief chuckles from the
audience – a rare occurrence during this otherwise heavy movie.
her portrayal of the tough yet vulnerable Lisbeth, she manages evoke a great deal of empathy for the
character, who at one moment can seem disturbed almost to the point of unlikeability,
while other times, her unadjusted behavior earned some brief chuckles from the
audience – a rare occurrence during this otherwise heavy movie.
