Some Brief Natter and a Film Review

[chorale]

Here it is, December 23. I'm listening to Christmas music as I write. *sings* "Welcome to my Christmas song. I'd like to thank you for the year/I'm sending you this Christmas card to say it's nice to have you here." That's from a song by Elton John, and my sentiment is genuine, thank you for the year. It's been a wonderful year and you--all my

Comments

[whswhs]

The only thing I would add is that after asking that question, Salander in the American version does not directly kill Vanger, as she does in the Swedish version; his car turns into a Hollywood fireball with no help from her. An American court might find her guilty of voluntary manslaughter, but it would be hard to make a case for actual murder. Her vengeance against her guardian isn't a foreshadowing of the climax, and it's hard to see what it's doing in the American version of the story, where she does no real avenging.

[chorale]

Yeah, I forgot about that crucial point you just made. Also, her setting her stepdad on fire carried with it an implication of his molestation of her, which was also lurking in the background in all of the information about Harriet Vanger's disappearance. Together with Salander's rape by her guardian in the beginning, the viewer can put together all the facets of Salander's revenge on men in the Swedish version. That is utterly lost in the American. Salanger is just shown as sadistic and crazy by Fincher.

[trooper6]

I was skeptical of the english film the minute I saw the poster where Lisbeth is basically naked...I thought, "Someone in marketing doesn't understand her character at all...does Fincher

[kiltcheck]

Thanks chorale and whswhs for confirming my suspicions about the American film. And to trooper6, that pretty much sums up my feelings too. However, I find it arrogant and insulting that a remake would be made so close on the heels of a very well-made, well-acted, and well-directed series of films from Sweden. It's a slap in the face to all of the creative people who did such a tremendous job with the Swedish films. And it's not like Daniel Craig needs another star vehicle at this point. My Lisbeth will always be Nooni Rapace, who captured the full essence of the character and inhabited it. Her subtext is amazing, as much of her acting is done without any dialog at all, and yet her body language, looks and actions speak volumes. I will probably watch the American version at some point, but I'll wait for it to come to Netflix or something where I don't have to go out and pay extra to see it. However, I doubt my already colored opinions will change on the viewing of it.