Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) by Ben D — 26 Dec 2012

Fincher's GWDT is both more of a film than the original Swedish version, as far as scope and dramatic range, but also more abbreviated. I don't think I've ever seen two films so similar and yet so different.

While the Swedish film is more traditional in its approach, it is also more independent, and grounded in a stark realism. Fincher's film is made up of the elaborate camera moves, staging, and production design of a big budget Hollywood film. The most apparent difference however is that Fincher's film is, like previous work such as Social Network and Fight Club, a montage. Scenes, if you can call them that, are made up of one line of dialogue without a beginning or end. Scenes end after others begin, and we often hear dialogue before the movie arrives at who is talking.

Fincher has said that his version is based off Zailian's interpretation of the LarsonÃÃ,¢(TM)s novel. And as true as that may be, Fincher's direction seems to heavily rely on countering and copying the Swedish film. The US cast looks like an American translation of the Swedish cast and locations. If Fincher's film seems to be directed better it's because he greatly benefited from being able to watch the original and fix the mistakes. There is no doubt in my mind that Fincher and Zalian were extremely conscience of the original Swedish film.

While I enjoyed both films I must admit that I was a little disappointed by Fincher's film. Turns out both films are flawed. As crazy as it sounds I still believe there is a better film version of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo waiting to be made.