The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & Bridesmaids
Quite the match-up, huh? I saw these long enough ago to not have too much to add, but in the spirit of Oscar-preparedness, here goes:
First of all, I'm not sure if this is a movie you can say you enjoy without inviting quizzical glances, but I can comfortably say that I didn't hate it. I'd read all three books (and if you're someone that hates spoilers and plan to read all of the books, I'd recommend reading them all before seeing this US movie) and see all of the Swedish films, and went into the movie interested to see the true Hollywood take on the story. After all of the poster hype, the movie was actually much, much tamer than both the books and the Swedish films. If you'd ever describe your sensibilities as "delicate" but feel like you should experience this story somehow, go ahead and see this and set the others aside.
I'm not sure if my opinion would be different if I hadn't seen the Swedish version first, but while Rooney Mara's performance is good, I don't think it's that difficult or ground-breaking. Actually, that pretty much sums up everything I think about the film. The hardest part for me wasn't watching violent scenes or putting together the puzzle pieces of the mystery, but instead getting over Robin Wright's weird early Jessica Lange haircut. Best part of the move: Any (and every) scene starring Stellan Skarsgard.
BONUS! I think I watched a new NIN video as the opening credits...
LOVED this movie. It's funny, and I love that a female cast is getting recognition instead of just the next incarnation of the Frat Pack, but we're nominating this for awards? This is what we're doing now? I don't really have anything to add. Good movie? Sure. Really good movie? Sure! Great movie? Eh...
