The many elated readers of the best-selling trilogy " GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO" should be stoked to see this faithful cinematic version, directed by David "Fight Club" Fincher, finally released in theaters.The story centers around a freshly sued Swedish magazine publisher Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) who is commissioned to find the missing grand niece of retired CEO Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer)
Mikael recruits the covert geek squad services of freelance surveillance agent and researcher Lisbeth Salander (a brave performance by Rooney Mara) who is having some problems of her own. She is a ward of the state and her monitary allowance is given to her by a new guardian who sexually abuses her.
Mikael and Lisbeth end up having a sexual relationship and begin to suspect that they have stumbled onto the trail of a serial killer.
Violent and graphic for vanilla audiences waiting for a Jennifer Aniston cameo, this adult drama is all grown up and, apparently, follows the books pretty faithfully (Sorry. I wait for the movie like everyone else).
Fincher brings us another visually handsome film that sounds great, once again showcasing "Social Network" vets cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and music directors Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.
Ms. Mara's portrayal of the "girl" is a fascinating study of inner struggle, able as she is vulnerable and hell bent on revenge. She brodens the scope of the classic cinematic heroine into a new contemporary style of brainy/bisexual/emo/warrior chic with a touch of punk. It seems as though she has successfully embraced the internal workings of an iconic literary character and channeled it into a riveting display for the camera.
The film moves as does a book (has a pacing, kinda long) and may not be the action shoot-em-up as suggested by the film's trailer. Yet it is well worth the admission $ for fans of the book and those who enjoy a more intense and well-developed film.
Golden Globe Nominations:
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
ROONEY MARA
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
TRENT REZNOR, ATTICUS ROSS
The presentation of “The 69th Annual Golden Globe® Awards” is on Sunday, January 15, 2012
