Went and saw the Fincher movie on News Years Day. I’ve read the books, and see the Swedish, dubbed version of the film so it was going to be a real test if a nearly 3 hour movie of something I was already well acquainted with was going to hold my interest.
Amazing what a great director and a good script and terrific cast can do. I didn’t get bored once, and I was pleased to see that the screenwriter, Steve Zaillian, fixed the ending. In the book there were these two endings — the cousin in England and the woman in Australia. Zaillian knew that the woman in England needed to be the lost niece.
I admit that the eye candy didn’t hurt. There was a moment where we see Daniel Craig in his jockey shorts and every woman in the theater took a deep breath.
Fincher beautifully evoked this sense of isolation and a coldest of spirit and heart as well as climate with his visuals. The editing is tremendously powerful, and a real primer on how to cut from scene to scene. I also really liked the music. It was dark and primal and very powerful. I thought Rooney Mara did a great job with Salander. She didn’t try to make her sympathetic at all — she’s violent and crazy and brilliant and that came across very well.
I liked the film. I think it’s worth seeing. Next up War Horse and Tinker Tailor. Hope to see them both this weekend.
