“…Armansky’s star researcher was a pale, anorexic young woman who had hair as short as a fuse, and a pierced nose and eyebrows. She had a wasp tattoo about an inch long on her neck, a tattooed loop around the biceps of her left arm and another around her left ankle. On those occassions when she had been wearing a tank top, Armansky also saw that she had a dragon tattoo on her left shoulder blade. She was a natural redhead, but she dyed her hair raven black.
She had a wide mouth, a small nose, and high cheekbones that gave her an almost Asian look. Her movements were quick and spidery…her extreme slenderness would have made a career in modeling impossible, but with the right makeup her face could have put her on any billboard in the world.
Sometimes she wore black lipstick, and in spite of the tattoos and the pierced nose and eyebrows she was…well…attractive.
It was inexplicable.”
- excerpted from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larson
Watched the US version with Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara last weekend…just picked up the Danish release and the book today at the library.
Trailer here…
Cueing up the DVD now…
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January 21, 2012 at 7:10 pm
alienredqueen
I can’t bring myself to want to watch the “American” version. I absolutely LOVED Noomi Rapace in the Swedish version and thought it has been said that the Fincher (sp?) version isn’t a “remake”, but a different take on source material, I think it’s another example of American ethnocentrism and laziness (and since I am American, I can say that! haha)
January 21, 2012 at 8:16 pm
lazarusdodge
Taking a break – about 30 minutes in. The Swedish version is much clearer in detail than the American. So far I like this version better – Michael Nyqvist and Daniel Craig both play their parts well. But I think Craig just lacked the proper source material as you say.
Rooney Mara was much harsher as Lisbeth…but I’m still early in…
- J.
January 22, 2012 at 12:34 am
alienredqueen
“Harsher?” I’m not sure I follow. Like, she is less vulnerable and more rough around the edges? Is that what you mean? Well, the ‘source material’ is simply Larsson’s book, so Craig must either not have read it, or just did not do as good a job interpreting it. I hear that Larsson’s ‘partner’ has in her possession enough material for another 4 books or so. Wouldn’t that be something? Supposedly she plans to write them. IF she does and IF they adapt them into movies, I hope Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace reprise their roles. I hate when you get used to and like a certain actor as a character and then they switch ‘em up on you.
January 22, 2012 at 7:43 am
lazarusdodge
Putting it in the context of the images – Hollywood is visually harsher with the character as played by Mara. I think that in the foreign release, you’re also given more insight into the character – rather than being told, you’re shown. Yes, Rapace is softer – if you can call it that. But a much more interesting character.
By source material, I realized I might have been misleading. I should have referred to it as the script.
I have no doubt that Hollywood is already setting up for additional films – I don’t mind either domestic or foreign. Both versions are good films – would like to see all the actors kept in place.
UPDATE – After seeing both, the Swedish version is defintiely superior – much better film/story than the US release. Greater depth to the characters, much clearer exposition, better background. Now to get into the book and see if there are any other details to make this even more intriguing…
- J.
January 23, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Kurt Harden
Can’t wait to see the U.S. version. I hope it captures the cold weather properly.
Watch them all.
Kurt
January 25, 2012 at 11:16 am
lazarusdodge
There’s a scene where Daniel Craig is put up in a small cottage with the only heat a small firepalce in one room. Trust me – you’ll be looking for soemthing warm to wear…
Just read that Rooney Mara’s been nominated for Best Actress. Up against some tough competiition – may have fared better in Supporting Actress category…
- J.