I’m sure like many of you, I’m sick of remakes. But even worse than the remakes that rape my childhood and slap a PG-13 on it, are the remakes of foreign films that become successful or capture people’s attention. Then you just end up sounding elitist when you talk about the “real” Vanishing or the “real” Funny Games. So it was with great trepidation and hefty amounts of sorrow that I entertained the news of a North American remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
It seemed doubly ridiculous to me because the original Sweedish film is just now in North American theaters, and you know what? There’s two more that have been completed and I’m sure we’ll get to see. I’ve already seen the entire trilogy and read Steig Larsson’s books The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. As you might be able to tell, I’m a big fan of this series.
But then I heard something that made me feel better. David Fincher had signed on board to direct the remake. Suddenly I got very comfortable. David Fincher is one of my favourite new(ish) directors and is the only filmmaker to have 2 films in my permanent top 10. (Se7en and Fight Club) As well, I thought Zodiac was a surprisingly low-key and deliberate masterpiece from someone we’ve come to expect more flash from. So yes, I am now on board with this project.
Also, take into consideration that the original Sweedish trilogy was produced by a company that was more used to making product for television, but the insane popularity of the franchise allowed them to take it theatrically. They’re very well made and service the original material very well, but it’s clear when you watch them that it could easily be taken to that next level if it were handled by the right director.
The greatest thing about the original trilogy however is the performances of Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace in the lead roles. They absolutely inhabit the characters and bring them to life in a way that you can’t imagine them any other way. So now that it’s been announced that Daniel Craig is in talks to play the male lead in Fincher’s remake, I feel very, very comfortable with this. Indeed, my excitement is high and I am shouting “yes, I can’t wait to see this.”
The clincher however is going to be whoever is cast as Lisbeth Salander. She’s the strongest character in the stories and represents the main story throughline as the later sequels become all about her. As a character, it’s a narrow tightrope to walk and a misperformance could take what makes the series insanely attractive and turn it into something ultimately forgetable. Really the worst thing they can do at this point is chase after a young actress with star power. If Kristen Stewart takes this role, I’ll be very upset. It’s possible that someone like Ellen Page could pull it off as she has impressive acting chops, but I think it would serve Fincher well to search for that ellusive “unknown” for the role.
The other thing they have a chance to correct with these remakes is the unfulfilling nature of the trilogy. Originally planned to encompass much more than 3 books, Steig Larsson unfortunately died before he was able to give us more. So what we’re left with is an unfinished series and the 3rd book and film falls short of giving us any real closure to the overall story. Since there are plans to remake the whole trilogy if the first is successful, a certain amount of dramatic license could easily be taken to wrap up the story much better.
But in the meantime, do yourself a favour and go see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It’s worth the subtitles.
You’re welcome,
Ashley
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