The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

For some creative practitioners, fame comes too late to enjoy. Indeed, the list of writers famous for posthumous publications is considerable, with poet Emily Dickinson perhaps the best known. In 2005, Swedish journalist turned author Stieg Larsson joined the ranks upon the release of his novel Män Som Hatar Kvinnor in his homeland. Translated into English three years later as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the crime thriller came with two ready-made sequels, inspiring a first film series in 2009, and a second, US version, soon in cinemas.

The debut instalment in his Millennium trilogy, Larsson’s tale tells of investigative reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig, The Adventures of Tintin) and titular anti-heroine Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara, A Nightmare on Elm Street). Their paths cross when Mikael is hired to delve into the history of the wealthy Vanger family, with Lisbeth conducting the background check that leads to his employment. Impressed by her unorthodox ways, he seeks her assistance in ascertaining the answer to a missing person mystery spanning four decades.

Of course, the feature offers a wealth of other details, as audiences familiar with the book and first film will know. In helming a second iteration so soon after the initial screen outing, The Social Network director David Fincher provides a different emphasis to the events of Moneyball screenwriter Steve Zailian’s adaptation, with the film focusing on sinister and unseemly acts to form the third entry in his serial killer canon (after Seven and Zodiac)

The increased presence of Lisbeth in proceedings also marks Fincher’s vision, as does the bleak colour palette. The former allows Mara to reveal the extent of her acting prowess, in a career-making turn steeped in nuances beyond the obvious physical transformation. The latter embraces the wintry locale, adding a steely sheen complimented by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ austere yet involving soundtrack. However, most other elements recall the earlier feature, with the audience warranted in questioning whether the film is necessary so soon after its predecessor.

Whilst the answer may in fact be no, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is still an impressive offering. Craig, Christopher Plummer (Beginners) and Stellan Skarsgård (Melancholia) each effectively inhabit their characters, with inconsistent accents the only minor fault. Larsson’s story remains suitably arresting, and benefits from Fincher’s dramatic finesse. As a second adaptation, it may be overly familiar, however it captivates from start to finish.

Rating: 4

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Director: David Fincher
USA, 2011, 158 min

Distributor: Sony
Rated MA
In cinemas nationally Thursday January 12, 2012