Pop Culture Podcast
Popspotting #186: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo†(Jan. 2, 2012)
Our first podcast of the New Year takes us back to Stieg Larsson’s tale of murder and intrigue with American director David Fincher’s remake of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” The story was already capably depicted by Larsson’s fellow Swedes, so can Fincher’s distinct style bring something new and compelling to the big screen? This time, Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) and Rooney Mara (The Social Network) portray the embattled journalist and mysterious hacker. The film also features Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, and Robin Wright.
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I have not seen this version. But the Sweedish trilogy was very compelling, subtitles to not.
After listening to your podcast, it seems like they took some of the elements of Lizbeth (and other characters) from the other two movies and put them in her in this move. I watched all 3 Swedish ones on Nexflix. The first for the mystery was my favorite. The third was slow paced but good for the political intrigue. I would encourage you to watch the other three.
I’ve read all three books and watched all the Swedish movies.Â
I loved the books. I liked but didn’t love the Swedish movies. I was really glad when i heard Fincher was going to make an “American” version. I felt that the Swedish movies didn’t get everything right. I wasn’t pleased with the casting. I know some parts of the novel had to be left out to make the story fit into a movie but I felt that they could have done a better job. Plus there were some changes that had nothing to do with timing that didn’t work for me.Â
One of the changes in the Swedish movie from the book you hit on while discussing the American movie: When Michael first meets Lisbeth. I think the reason you liked  the American version better was that it was closer to the novel than the Swedish version. (by the way, that was one of my favorite parts of the book).
Both of the actresses who played Lisbeth did excellent jobs but some of the credit has to go to how Lisbeth was written. She was such a compelling character. I felt that the American script did a much better job of demonstrating Lisbeth’s intriguing nature.Â
Just like you guys I was surprised and pleased that the American versions wasn’t “sanitized”.Â
Unlike Ryan, I didn’t find the soundtrack obtrusive. Well, i hadn’t heard anything about it till I Â heard your podcast. After the opening credits I didn’t even notice it.Â
I agree with the 8.5 you give this movie. I give the book a 9. The Swedish movie gets an 8.
I really hope they can make the sequels.Â
Probably not necessary but I will say it anyway that there are spoilers below.
I read the books and saw the Swedish versions. In my opinion the Fincher version was far more faithful to the book which is why I liked it better than the Swedish one. Yes there were some things left out such as his relationship with Cecilia but I don’t think it was of much consequence to the overall story so I see why they didn’t include it in either version. One thing that I wonder is why they changed the Harriet storyline in the end from what it actually is. And unless I missed something, they also never reveal in the Fincher version that it was Harriet sending Henrik the paintings all this time. If I had not already been familiar with the material I would have wondered where they were coming from.
Overall though I loved the movie and I really hope they get to make the other two. Crossing my fingers for a golden globe win for Rooney Mara to keep the buzz going.