DECEMBER 21, 2011
The title sequence is, visually and musically, the best of 2011. The dark chrome tinted oil flowing style is as haunting as it is mysterious and definitely sets up the complexity of the story. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross lay down "the soundtrack that isn't". Films rarely have the musical subtlety as that in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, as they often become overwhelming but necessary due to lack of storyline. Reznor and Ross quietly move through the film almost unnoticed, using the subconscious while letting the dialogue propel the saga.
Having only completed half of the first installment with the book's depth so incredibly packed with emotionally charged writing, I took a chance on seeing the movie before finishing the book and was only further encouraged to read the book to completion. Steven Zaillian (screenwriter) does an impressive work weeding through the book and pulling out the best content while leaving no important facts unturned. David Fincher (director) accentuates the writing with powerful visual graphics that will arguably confront the viewer with the suffering of the characters.
Mikael Blomkvist, played by Daniel Craig, is the story's vehicle that has enough twists and turns but does not over-complicate the path. Craig put on some weight since his last installment of the James Bond series, giving girth to Blomkvist, a writer for a magazine who finds himself in the cross-hairs of a thirty six year old unsolved possible murder case. After losing a libel case against busines man Hans-Erik Wennerstrom (Ulf Friberg), Blomkvist is forced to consider that his worst fears of losing the magazine may become reality. He believes he was set up by Wennerstrom while pursuing a lead during an investigative pursuit for an article. He printed the article only to find out that the facts were fraudulant but this mistake cost him 600,000 Swedish kroner when the lawsuit was finalized.
His co-worker, Erika Berger (Robin Wright), whose relationship with Blomkvist is as personal as professional, is able to save face for herself personally throughout the ordeal. Blomkvist became estranged from his wife but struggles to maintain a solid relationship with his daughter. Berger is aware the magazine is now holding its own by a shoestring and without a insurgence of funds will fold within months.
Lisbeth Salander, played by the astonishing Rooney Mara, is a computer hacker with a photographic memory who is a researcher for a security company. She is a ward of the state and assigned a legal guardian, Holger Palmgren (Bengt C. W. Carlsson). Palmgren feels that even though Salander is found to be emotionally unstable, she is smart enough to handle her own finances. He allows her free reign to take any necessary cash that she needs. When entering Palmgren's apartment, Salander finds him lying on the floor from an apparent stroke.
The state quickly appoints a new guardian, Nil Bjurman (Yorick van Wageningen), who is less inclined to let her take money whenever she feels. He does, however, make a deal that forces her into performing sexual acts for him every time she wants more money. Salander uses the cash to purchase video surveillance equipment that will catch Bjurman in the act of trading sexual favors so she can access her money. What she does not figure into the equation is that Bjurman is about to step up the level of abuse while the camera is rolling.
This scene is not for the weak at heart, and for those who have not been prepared by reading the book, this is an extremely violent and heart wrenching scene. As unfathomable as this scene is to the viewer, it is less graphic than the pages of the book describe. Revenge drives the character with her quiet demeanor, but when she sets her plot in motion, Steve Zaillian writes the greatest scene from the book. As Salander verbalizes her to do list for Bjurman to follow, she takes control with articulation fueled by her hell-fire coldness.
Mara is so impressive with her ability to exude how life has decimated Salander without a need for her to speak a word. When the scenes need Mara to dominate the screen, her tenacity fills the theater. Many actresses were asked to audition for the role and along with those that did, it would not have been in the best interest to cast a high profile starlet. Mara owns the part from the moment she enters her first scene.
When Blomkvist and Salander's paths finally cross through the investigation into the 36 year old murder, their relationship gets personal. These characters are not complicated by today's standard, but the writing of the book along with the screenplay and combination of director and actors breathe depth into every performance.
It will be clear to everyone who leaves the theater that the second installment should be right around the corner. The team effort of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo could produce a viable award winning sequel if they do not allow for an immense amount of time to pass. If rumors are true, Zaillian is hard at work on the screenplay for The Girl Who Played With Fire.
RUSTY
12/25/11