Adapting any novel, especially one as convoluted as Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is always a challenge – even more so considering the far reaching and devoted fan base. When converting over 600 pages into a script, the screenwriter is forced to make some hard decisions: what storylines can be cut without ruining the essence of the book? In that sense, director David Fincher and screenwriter Steven Zaillian do an admirable job. Yes, die-hards will notice that he cut out a few plot points and changed others entirely, but the entire story is there. In fact, as the movie progresses, that is a growing concern – there are so many plot points to cover that you fear the filmmakers are running out of time, yet they pull it off. Every major storyline that make Dragon what it is plays out in 2 ½ hours.
The story opens with Mikael Blomkvist (played by Daniel Craig), magazine editor and crusader for truth, having just received a libel conviction of one of Sweden’s most powerful businessmen. With his journalistic reputation ruined, he is given an opportunity by wealthy capitalist Henrik Vanger (played by the pitch perfect Christopher Plummer): discover what happened to Harriet Vanger, Henrik’s great-niece, who disappeared 36 years ago, under the guise of writing the family’s memoirs. In doing so, he will investigate the heinous members of the Vanger clan – which includes alcoholics, Nazis and killers – in an attempt to find out who murdered Harriet. As the task at hand becomes more intense – and Fincher is adept at illustrating the tedious points of an investigation without weighing down the action – Blomkvist brings in Lisbeth Salander (played by Rooney Mara) to assist with research.
Salander, the true heroine of the story, is a fascinating character, as tiny as a bird yet as fierce as a tiger – as demonstrated when a mugger mistakenly tries to steal her bag. She is a brilliant hacker, using her skills both in the investigation and to mete out righteous punishment to those who deserve it. Everything about her screams “STAY AWAY,” yet the world will not. A ward of the state, she has been abused by a social system that interprets her lack of social skills as an inability to take care of herself. Therein lies her appeal – she is a combination of vulnerability and ruthlessness, both distrusting yet curious. It is in this portrayal that Mara shines – the hair, the posture, but most notably in the eyes, eyes that are calculating and enraged yet reveal a hidden genius to anyone who bothers to look closely.
When Hollywood announced its intention to re-make the Swedish films, there was a concern amongst fans that the new films would tone down the sex, violence and sexual violence to appease an American audience. Those concerns were unnecessary as Fincher approaches the violence with an intensity that is important for the story’s sake, as opposed to violence for violence’s sake. Viewers may have trouble with the hard to stomach rape scene, but without it, the retaliation for the rape would not feel as justified. This is not a snuff film, and yes, there are ways to show how the system has abused this young woman. But if the intention is to stay true to the books on which the film is based, figure out a way to deal with the disgusting incident.
Viewers who have not read the book may find the movie hard to follow – too much information and not enough explanation. Fincher does an commendable job of presenting this story, his past work with tense thrillers such as Seven making him an obvious choice for director, but even he is confined by the material at times. There are lengthy sections of monotonous investigation, interspersed with “Eureka!” moments that adversely affect the pacing. To get through these slow times, the unnerving original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross keep the action moving along.
Craig, Plummer and Stellan Skarsgard (as Henrik’s great-nephew Martin Vanger) are the marquee names here, but Mara as Salander steals the show. Viewers who haven’t read the book may need a second screening in order to digest all the information, but with the efforts of everyone involved, it may be well worth it.
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" opens December 20, 2011 and is rated R. Crime, Drama, Mystery. Directed by David Fincher. Written by Steven Zaillian (screenplay), Stieg Larsson (novel). Starring Christopher Plummer, Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara.
