From the director of Se7en and The Social Network comes a daring adaptation of a controversial book involving plot elements such as sexual violence and Nazism. Before release, people argued whether or not it was better than the Swedish film and I just want to put the bickering to rest once and for all.
Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is a financial journalist who has had it rough after being sued for libel by Hans-Erik Wennerstrom; one of the country's biggest businessmen, accusing Blomkvist of fabricating evidence about his shady transactions. Little does he know that he is being targeted by a computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), who is a researcher at a security firm. She has performed a background check on him for a client that wishes to hire him for a job in the north of Sweden. Adorned with face piercings and a mohawk, Lisbeth is an unusual and rather intimidating young woman who has experienced a numerous amount of unfortunate events in her life. Mikael then learns that Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), the patriarch of the Vanger family and the former head of his family's company, needs his investigative efforts to uncover what happened to his niece Harriet over 40 years ago. Henrik suspects one of his family members murdered Harriet and in exchange for Mikael's help, offers him a worthy fee and valuable information about Wennerstrom. Blomkvist agrees to fulfill Henrik's request and is ready to start his research on the matter. To conceal his investigation, Henrik and Mikael have decided to formally declare their cooperation a biography piece about the Vanger family. Meanwhile, Lisbeth's guardian has had a stroke and she is assigned a new guardian who turns out to be a disgusting sadist, using her to pleasure himself and only afterwards giving her the money she has asked for. She fires back after her last tormenting experience with him, and blackmails him to give her sole allowance to her money after she videotapes his last violation against her. Mikael is onto something but needs an assistant to help him gather the evidence into a coherent heap. Henrik's advisor suggests Lisbeth and tells Mikael it was her who assisted them in picking him out for his current job. He visits her and after some uneasiness between the two, she agrees to help him in the investigation. The duo drop deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole, only to find some of the most unpleasant murders and a murderer who was hiding in plain sight all these years. Their relationship develops into a physical one, and you might be wondering if Lisbeth is capable of continuing a relationship which involves emotional commitment, after so many past struggles.
There have been many quarrels about whether or not this remake lives up to the standards set by the original Swedish version of the movie and I would like to some things concerning this ongoing debate. This film is definitely riveting to watch and finely polished, but the Swedish version I thought was a little more raw in its delivery. This one felt a little more filtered whereas the Swedish one was more fearless in the critical aspects of the plot. I did like that this film put more emphasis on Lisbeth's and Mikael's growing relationship that had a possibility of romance instead of just a physical relationship that was portrayed in the Swedish version. From the beginning, Fincher and everyone who promoted the film asserted that they didn't look up to the Swedish film and only adhered to the book. So, if you see it without already seeing the Swedish version, you will probably like it; but I would give the slight edge to the Swedish version although I loved Mara's portrayal of Lisbeth and how committed she was to the role to the point of completely transforming herself. It clearly showed from her accent to her overall appearance. The screenplay was a little tweaked because in the book, they found Harriet in Australia but in this film, she took the identity of her cousin Anita as her own. The visuals were of course stunning and very similar to Fincher's breakthrough film Se7en. A real coincidence occurred when they were shooting during one of the coldest winters in over 100 years, but added a frigid and sharp atmosphere to the plot and the character of Lisbeth, who is just as relentless and unyielding as the atmosphere around her. The soundtrack wasn't something too spectacular, and at times a little intrusive or redundant to tell you the truth. Definitely not as good as The Social Network, with the only highlight probably being the cover of "The Immigrant Song" which was a vibrant start to the film. Fincher always has an unforgettable opening sequence in his movies and this was no exception. From the stark black color scheme to the surreal images in motion, this has to be one of the most unforgettable title sequences in recent years.
The movie had a very powerful message to send to viewers; particularly women. Lisbeth will not stand for injustice and neither should women across the globe. She no doubt takes it into her own hands and makes sure she delivers retribution to anyone who violates her, despite it seeming a little bit extreme because of how she dealt with her new guardian. She is definitely a character unlike any other who has turned her life around rather successfully but with repercussions not only to her appearance but to her soul as well. The way she dresses and behaves towards most people is like an armor that keeps her safe without having to communicate unnecessarily with people who may have cruel intentions towards her. As a whole, she is a warrior and an ambassador for women's rights, reassuring women that it's alright to feel strong and independent about themselves even if there is no one there to step up for them. She takes her future into her own hands and is apathetic to how others perceive her and her style. No matter how insecure you are inside, you must hold your chin up and reveal your true colors to the world even if you feel as though you're different from the rest.
The corruption of society has a leading role in the film as well, with Wennerstrom carrying out illicit transactions and keeping them in untraceable accounts all across the globe. When someone is in power, they always try to take advantage of their position for their own benefit. Some get caught but others get away with it whether it be politicians, businessmen or even doctors and lawyers. The Vanger family is no different. Because of their powerful empire, it was easy for a certain someone to commit murders while seeming completely out of the question for being convicted. They almost got away with it, but thankfully didn't, showing that there is still hope in the world for justice and doing the right thing for all those people who have suffered under such adversaries.
Overall, it's a well adapted story that stays true to the book, but if I would choose between the Swedish version and this, I would probably pick the Swedish version of the story. The only reason that you should see this powerful story is because of the phenomenal Rooney Mara, and of course the directorial approach of David Fincher. The film marks a real breakthrough in her acting career, and I'm sure we will see more of her in the future; counting that she will reappear as Lisbeth for the two sequels. A shining star is born and I can't picture anyone else playing this cutting edge character. She handles such an enigmatic and perplexing character with real poise, if you take into account how young she is not only in life but in her career as well.
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