The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a riveting and deeply disturbing film, which is why it is so terrific. It is filled with raw brutality. These elements make the film a success and, at the same time, not appropriate for everyone.
The film is based on the book of the same name by Stieg Larsson. Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) a journalist and publisher whose career is on the skids after losing a libel lawsuit. He is tasked by the patriarch of a troubled, but successful Swedish family with researching the disappearance of a young girl forty years ago. Mikael is assisted in his task by ward of the state and researcher Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). The search centers around the patriarchs severely messed up family.
The film is tied together with stylistic elements that make the scenes much more powerful.
The music composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is moody and unsettling. The baseline matches each heart palpitation. The music ebbs and flows with the scenes in a way that is rare in film. It really becomes a character that drives the action. The music truly alters and enhances scenes. I sincerely wish more people were cognizant of the power music can have in film. The match is flawless.
Equally impressive is the camera work of cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and director David Fincher. The cinematography is pivotal in enhancing the emotions conveyed in the film. It is impressive the way each focal decision made the film more powerful.
Two illustrations are sufficient to highlight the impact of the cinematographic decisions. During a scene of sexual assault the camera slowly moves from a straight shot to an overhead shot. The movement demonstrates the power differential and degradation involved in the scene. It literally made my skin crawl. The film also uses off-center and unbalanced filming techniques to create unease. You feel as off-kilter as the characters. Rather than being passive the cinematography is an active participant in the storytelling.
Fincher also has a knack for using silence. Fincher is not afraid to let the scene develop without words. Whether in a search scene or a chess match, there is no need to force words to tell the story. A particularly effective use of silence occurs when Lisbeth and Mikael are on separate research assignments. We flip from a library to a cottage house and track the information between the two. The ensuing action scenes that also occur with minimal words are that much more effective because they seem organic and effortless.
Daniel Craig’s performance is strong. He is charismatic and steely and pulls off the intellectual role. He is able to engage in action without becoming James Bond, which is impressive.
Rooney Mara is an absolute star in this film. Her performance was dynamic. She easily oscillates from strength to vulnerability. She is expressive both in her verbal and non-verbal performance. She has an excellent emotional breadth. This is a true game changer in her career.
The film is a complete package. Each aspect of film technique and performance is made effectively. The result is a tremendous film.
PARSI VERDICT: A complete, powerful, and jarring film. The movie may not be for everyone, but it is a real work of art.