The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I just finished watching the US version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and while I wasn't happy with the ending, I have to say that I did enjoy the film. What I believe David Fincher did was to take a very good and spectacular Swedish film by Neils Arden Opley and instead of making an insipid American version as so many people do with 'Americanisations' but instead made a very good and spectacular American film.
Spoiler Alert
While I find it funny that Daniel Craig couldn't seem to keep his Swedish accent, I have to say I did enjoy his performance.
The differences in structure between the two films, the path and plot flow only made for a more interesting comparison of US versus Swedish values.
Finchley's use of music and visuals as well added elements that I wouldn't say were lacking but definitely gave the story a different twist on its original.
I also found the US ending unsatisfactory compared to the original Swedish, however, considering the development of the Salander character in this version, it made a certain sense. I did like the way Finchley developed her character and portrayed her, his choice of Rooney Mara was excellent, though this in no way detracts from the original performance of Noomi Rapace. I will look forward to seeing the rest of this trilogy in both Swedish and hopefully English.
I feel that both films are good and that neither detracts from the other or has a stronger position over the other. Each stakes out a territory in telling a story and while the US version does focus more on the present versus the past with our investigators, it doesn't do so to the detriment of the story.
I also found the development of the relationship with Salander with her previous Custodian was interesting.
I highly recommend both films to anyone who is curious. Seeing one however is not the same as seeing the other. While elements are the same, there are definitely differences between the two and those differences have an effect on the story and its impact. One is not simply an Americanisation of the Swedish, it is almost, in some ways a different story. See them both and see for yourself.
Spoiler Alert
While I find it funny that Daniel Craig couldn't seem to keep his Swedish accent, I have to say I did enjoy his performance.
The differences in structure between the two films, the path and plot flow only made for a more interesting comparison of US versus Swedish values.
Finchley's use of music and visuals as well added elements that I wouldn't say were lacking but definitely gave the story a different twist on its original.
I also found the US ending unsatisfactory compared to the original Swedish, however, considering the development of the Salander character in this version, it made a certain sense. I did like the way Finchley developed her character and portrayed her, his choice of Rooney Mara was excellent, though this in no way detracts from the original performance of Noomi Rapace. I will look forward to seeing the rest of this trilogy in both Swedish and hopefully English.
I feel that both films are good and that neither detracts from the other or has a stronger position over the other. Each stakes out a territory in telling a story and while the US version does focus more on the present versus the past with our investigators, it doesn't do so to the detriment of the story.
I also found the development of the relationship with Salander with her previous Custodian was interesting.
I highly recommend both films to anyone who is curious. Seeing one however is not the same as seeing the other. While elements are the same, there are definitely differences between the two and those differences have an effect on the story and its impact. One is not simply an Americanisation of the Swedish, it is almost, in some ways a different story. See them both and see for yourself.