Family Movie Night
by Karyn Bowman
The other night I knew what movie I wanted to watch once the kids were in bed.
It was a movie meant for adults that was bad but funny. And it was not available.
That almost ruined the night for me until I realized I could watch something else I had wanted to see.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo sitting on the shelf. I wanted to see this movie ever since it came out in the theaters but there was always a reason why we could not get out.
Poster Image from IMDb.com
There were family activities or I knew I was tired or… Plenty of excuses. This time there would be no excuses. I knew going in that we would have to get the littler kids up to bed because there was no way I was letting them watch an ‘R’ rated movie. I did allow my 15-year-old to stay but he grew tired and went to bed about ½ hour in.
The story is about an investigative journalist (Daniel Craig) who has been disgraced and forced to use up his life savings because of a story he wrote about a rich man who may or may not have had ‘connections.’ That is when he is offered a job with a rich industrialist family to write a memoir.
But in reality he is looking for the lost niece of his employer. She disappeared 40 years prior and has never been found. No one knows what ever happened to her and the uncle wants that mystery solved.
At the same time we are following a young woman (Rooney Mara) with a large tattoo, lots of piercings and a strange haircut. We see her meet with an official who makes her give him favors she does not want to give. We see that she is a gifted researcher who has a broken soul.
Eventually, the two come together when the reporter realizes he needs an assistant and the one he wants is the one who did a background search on himself. These are two people who are intense researchers, intense thinkers who connect on this case as neither expected.
This movie is based on the novel and Swedish film of the same name. There is a constant darkness and feeling of doom. The sets are stark but not overly so. The pace of the movie is slow as we learn the story and get to know the key players. There are stark moments of violence as well as passion. I loved the dialogue, the way the characters were different from what I expected.
For those who love foreign movies or those with a European flair, this is an excellent choice. Be aware before you rent it that there is some heavy duty swearing as well as some intense sex scenes. Our heroine is not a perfect soul but she is brave.
The more I think about the movie the more I admire The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
Until next week, see you in the rental aisle.
Before the American version with Daniel Craig, I believe there was a Swedish version which I liked better. The protagonist in the book is a slightly overweight, not great looking guy….Daniel Craig doesn’t fit the bill as well as the Swedish dude did.
I have not seen the Swedish version not read the book. I really love Daniel and felt he did a good job.
I’m sure it’s one of those things…if you had no prior background about the film, you’d enjoy it. Like when I saw the original French version of Three Men and a Baby and loved it. Then I saw the American version with 3 standard American hunks and I hated it.
The books are a great summer read, btw.
I really think we should not base our opinion of one movie because of an earlier version. In doing that, I will have to put Anne Hathaway’s performance as Catwoman on a severe disadvantage because Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance in the same role was/is the standard bearer. Movies should be judged on their own merit, which is why I think some directors explore re-makes – to see how they would re-make a classic and/or personal favorite.
Good point. But in the case of 3 Men and a Baby…my judgement was based on the quality of acting. Great conversation!
I enjoyed both the Swedish and American versions. The Swedes have also done the next two books in the trilogy, so you can find out the “rest of the story”, unless you’ve read it.
I would like to read this series.