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p.s. check out Eureka's Masters of Cinema website for more excellent old films, each comes with an excellent booklet.
I read the book after I watched the film, and I prefer the film. Personally I think it clears out a lot of the more unnecessary things from the plot, making it much more straightforward and enjoyable. Though it is a spy film, so it's not too straightforward.
For one, Smiley and Karla's scenes are shortened in the film. Also, it was a good idea to ignore the characters' personal feelings (Smiley's growing bitterness towards Ann, Guilliam's girlfriend, Haydon and Prideaux's realtionship) and save them for the ending.
I kept putting this one off because I didn't think it was going to be that good... I was wrong. Clash of the Titians was better in action but Wrath of the Titians had a better story.
<center><font size = 4>part 9</font></center>
<center><font color = darkblue size = 6>THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011)</font></center>
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I never saw the original films, never read the books, didn't know what to expect. But, it's a Fincher film, starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgärd and Robin Wright, with music by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor, cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth and one hell of a trailer! So, I desperately wanted to see this film. And I did, opening night, full VIP treatment.
The basic 'mystery' plot isn't my cup of thee. I usually don't like this type of whodunits / OMG what happened? stories. But, I went with it, because the package is brilliant. The actors... I mean, come on: the casting is spot-on! Craig is on fire and as for Mara, mousy Rooney Mara from the Nightmare On Elm Street reboot and The Social Network, simply gave us the finger and threw every bit of good girl reputation out the window. I simply love her performance! It's one dedicated bit of acting here, considering what she did to her body (okay, she was never 'big' but still) and bearing it all for us. Her thread is what I love most about the film. That social agent or whatever he is, that 'rapist pig', certainly won't ever mess with her again. Also, her character has depth and goes through a remarkable evolution in the film. I was heartbroken when the film ended the way it did. What an amazing story arc that was!
Then there's the music. Energy sparks throughout this film, not merely from the actors' performances, but Ross and Reznor definitely understood the new sound that a film like this desperately needed. Nothing generic in the least. Then there's the cinematography: again, brilliant. I love Cronenweth's work. Always have. The man understands the mood Fincher was trying to create for this film.
Ultimately, I think the lead characters' story arcs are more interesting than the factual plot of the film, but that's just me and my low acceptance of criminal investigation threads (although as I have stated before, Fincher always seems able to nail it for me e.g. Seven and Zodiac).
I think most people will find at least something of interest in this film. I know I do. And as such I'm ready for any sequel they'll put out. As long as Craig and Mara keep delivering, I'm there. But we need Fincher and his brilliant vision, even if we're talking remakes. That said, I can't rate this film quite as high as Seven or The Social Network, because I'm simply much less engaged in the missing girl plot. It's still a great film though.
<font color = red>Final score:</font> 8/10
And this concludes my Fincher retrospective, for now. I've heard the man is interested in doing another SciFi film, his first since Alien³, and more precisely the Rama series as written by my boy Arthur C. Clarke, whom I deeply respect and whom I praise almost as highly as the great Isaac Asimov. This series comprises a total of four novels, the latter three mostly written by a man named Gentry Lee (in loose collaboration with Clarke). The first book, Rendezvous With Rama, is still my favourite in the series, putting science and the tremendous Rama spaceship as the central focus, with human characters less important (pretty much as was the case in Clarke's fabulous 2001: A Space Odyssey). Once Lee got on board, it all became more esoteric and character driven, polarising a great many fans. Though I myself gravitate more towards the hard SciFi of the first novel, I must admit I quite like the final three novels as well. As such, I'm very much interested, if a Fincher film based on this series ever comes to fruition, to see how Fincher deals with the material and if he'll stick to the first novel. Latest reports indicate that this project is not on Fincher's priority list but I can dream.
DD's David Fincher retrospective score card:
Seven: 9,5/10
The Social Network: 9,5/10
Zodiac: 8,5/10
The Game: 8/10
Panic Room: 8/10
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: 8/10
Alien³: 7,5/10
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: 7,5/10
Fight Club: 7/10
@0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 linked me to an article that spoke on sequels we will never see, and apparently, 'TGWPWF' and 'TGWKTHN' were on it. I think it was a fan article, so it isn't guaranteed, but we shall see.
I'm sure Craig will be asked when promoting Skyfall, so we may hear then. That's if those who interview him can stop asking the same questions.
Absolutely. The only real problem now is how free Mara will be. According to IMDB, as unreliable as it is, she's currently filming two untitled projects, then she has 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' slated for a 2013 release, and 'Brooklyn' slated for a release the following year. If she finishes these two films up relatively soon, I wouldn't see why filming couldn't get underway in early 2013: Craig is already free, Mara should have time, and Fincher, if he decides to return, could tackle it then. The only problem is needing enough time, because they want to shoot them both back-to-back.
Really? I found it boring and non-sensic. I know the remake isn't as accurate as a Swiss watch but at least it's fun.
And a remake doesn't necessarily needs the original actors. So despite I'm a big fan of Francis Albert, his presence wasn't require (and I think he died before the new movie).
Amazing film, a masterpiece. In my top 15 favorite films. Ulrich Muhe gives an outstanding performance.
Loved how they placed the "UK Government Agency" on Canary Wharf. I'd really love to see some Bond action there. :)
xxx
That was a good film, though wrongly advertised as an action film.
xxx
Why this film generated such mixed reactions back in the day is beyond me. I love Starship Troopers. It's bold, quite intelligent, with a delicate but very relevant subtext and overall well acted and well executed. Plus, it's still great fun even if you fail to take it as seriously as I believe it was meant by some to be taken. Science fiction meets action or just political satire? Doesn't matter, really. Bloody good film, this.
True.
Otherwise I thought it was a nice low key drama thriller. And I got to see Rampling in an M esque role.