The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Review

When it was decided that Hollywood were to get their hands on Stieg Larsson's conspiracy thriller novel and translate it into the English language, there seemed to be only one director to handle this kind of material. After his success with films like Seven (1995), Fight Club (1999) and more recently with The Social Network (2010), David Fincher seemed the ideal choice to bring the raw violence and intensity of this story to audiences. He hasn't disappointed. From the hypnotic, Bondian title sequence to the abrupt editing and stark cinematography, Fincher's Dragon Tattoo excites and engages the audience from the get go.

Having not completed Larsson's first novel I admit coming into the film a little clueless as to what to expect, but my nerves were unnecessary. Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara in particular are inspired casting for Blomkvist, a shamed journalist who is given the task of discovering who murdered a teenage girl 40 years ago, and Salander, a sharp, intelligent, socially and mentally unstable reporter who eventually assists Blomkvist in solving the mystery. The film is dark because the subject matter upon which it is based is dark; therefore there is both a rape and a torture sequence, both of which are thankfully not prolonged, yet still difficult to watch for those with a nervous disposition. Don't let this put you off if you are intending to see the film. These scenes make up roughly 10 minutes of screen time in an otherwise highly watchable and intriguing film.

What Fincher does particularly well is stylishly deviate from the violence in order to flesh out the characters. In Seven the crimes committed are vital to the narrative but it is the relationship between Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman's private detectives; the pro and the rookie, that is afforded the greatest depth and audience investment. Similarly with Fight Club, it is Edward Norton and Brad Pitt and the conflicts of personality that capture our attention over the physical violence of the fight club itself. Here, Fincher gives our protagonists more than adequate screen time in order to flesh out their characters.

Mara's Lisbeth may be anti social and dangerous but she is an asset to Blomkvist in solving the case. She is tenacious, she stands up for herself and her body image and we are engrossed in her ability to convey so much with just a glance. Short cuts between the narrative - of Salander being mugged in the underground and overcoming the mugger, and being raped and getting her revenge on the rapist, develop this character to the level that although she is one of few women in the story, she is the strongest character.

Craig's Blomkvist begins by jeopardising the future of his company and his reputation but ultimately redeems himself by solving the case, though crucially with the help of Lisbeth. Craig and Mara spark off each other brilliantly and their relationship seems entirely plausible. Some of the casting is questionable - Joely Richardson as one of the central characters of the story seems an offbeat choice - and a fair amount of back story and explanation is cut to quicken the pace of an already long film, but this is ultimately another impressive film to add to Fincher's catalogue. This could be the first of I hope many films in 2012 that make you go "I need to see that again."

One for the Weekend...

My choice for this weekend is another network premiere on Channel 4, of Danny Boyle's follow up to the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire... 127 Hours. Nominated in 2010 for 6 Academy Awards, it tells the true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco) who whilst canyoneering alone in Utah has a boulder fall above him and trap him. What measures will Ralston take in order to free himself? Gripping drama.


The film is showing at 9pm on Channel 4/4HD on Sunday 22nd January 2012.

The Iron Lady review

Having previously worked with this actress on 2008's summer hit Mamma Mia, director Phyllida Lloyd sure knows how to exact a rousing performance from Academy Award winner Meryl Streep. Nominated more than almost any other actress working in the business today, it has been almost thirty years since Streep took the Best Actress crown for her work in Sophie's Choice (Alan J Pakula, USA, 1982) but it is looking likely that she may have a third golden statue to add to her mantle this season as her performance in Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady is nothing short of remarkable. From Consolata Boyle's exquisite costume design to Thomas Newman's subtle score, the film is simultaneously a delicate portrait of a frail old woman and a biography of an undeniably powerful leader with an even more powerful public presence.

Whatever your opinion of Thatcher's regimes and her miscalculated decisions during her 11 year reign in office between 1979 and 1990, she carried a heavy burden. She was the first female Prime Minister in this country in a government dominated by masculinity and she overcame adversity and misogyny in order to stand up for her beliefs. In this respect she was every bit the leader a nation could hope for. Just contrast this with the pitiful attempts of David Cameron and there is no argument as to who has made the bigger difference to this country, albeit for good or bad. The film thus presents Thatcher as both a woman who stands by her morals and begs to be heard at the same time as generating audience pathos for a woman who, in old age, reminds us all of the futility of life. She made decisions that cost lives, she brought economic destruction but she will be remembered.

It is in Streep's heartfelt declaration to husband Dennis, (played with great comic relief by Jim Broadbent), that she wants to make a difference in her life and does not want to die in the kitchen washing up a tea cup, that the human being emerges. Thatcher is such a duplicitous character and as such the film will seem controversial to many. I am in agreement with critics that praise Streep's meticulous mimicry of Thatcher from her speech to her body language, yet at the same time the story seems to be a little choppy. The narrative seems to dispense wth much of Thatcher's actions during her time in office and only sporadically uses actual footage to highlight the effect that her irrational decisions had on the United Kingdom and the world.

As a character study, this is Streep's film. As the eponym of the title she puts her all into the physicality and the emotion of the character and the moment that she finally lets Dennis go reminds us that this is a woman who, despite being power hungry and neglecting her children in favour of this power, has a heart and a voice, whether we choose to listen or ignore.

One for the Weekend...

Continuing my look at the best on the box this week with Stephen Daldry's The Reader (2008) which gets its premiere on Channel 4/4HD this Sunday January 15th 2012 at 9pm.

This drama, set in post-war Berlin, focusses on the story of Michael Berg (David Kross and Ralph Fiennes) as he begins a secret relationship with an older woman, living alone, who seeks company and his storytelling. After going off to study criminlogy years later and observing the Nazi War crime trials, Berg learns the shocking truth of Hanna Schmitz' (Kate Winslet) involvement in the concentration camps. A powerful drama with unsurprisingly brilliant performances particularly from Winslet who, after having been nominated 5 times for various Best Actress Oscars, was finally granted with the golden statue for this film. Highly recommended.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, you can't go wrong with Entrapment (Jon Amiel, USA, 1999), a cat and mouse thriller with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones which, though often implausible, is great entertainment. This can be seen on Channel 4/4HD on Sunday 15th January 2012 at 3.15pm.

Failing that, if screwball comedy is your cup of tea, give one of Jim Carrey's zaniest films a whirl. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (Tom Shadyac, USA, 1993) is full of laughs and good Sunday afternoon fun. This is showing on Sunday 15th January 2012 on Channel 5/5HD from 5.00pm.

2012 Preview

2011 saw a fairly mixed bag of film releases - from the fantastic (The King's Speech, True Grit, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2) to the downright ugly (Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1). Thankfully, things are looking generally more consistent this year. The following are my picks for awards glory and general entertainment for the next 12 months. This year I'm going to make an effort to see as many of the new releases as I can and report my opinions right here.

1. The Iron Lady

Director Phyllida (Mamma Mia) Lloyd reunites with Meryl Streep to portray the life of Margaret Thatcher. Whatever your opinion of our former Prime Minister and her methods, you cannot deny by looking at the trailer that Thatcher's mannerisms and the look have been mimiced beautifully by Streep. Best Actress at this year's Oscars seems firmly set already. On UK release from January 6th 2012

2. War Horse

Spielberg's motion picture adaptation of the book and play focusses on the emotional connection between a young man and his horse set against the backdrop of the First World War and the horror of the Battle of the Somme. Have the tissues handy and get ready for some Oscar wins once again for the esteemed director. On UK release 13th January 2012.



3. Coriolanus

Ralph Fiennes' dark adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most complicated plays could prove to be one of the standouts of the year and certainly one of the best directorial debuts in years. On UK release 20th January 2012

4. The Muppets

With such critical praise to date, it looks as if this could be a triumphant return for the Muppet clan to cinemas. On UK release 10th February 2012

5. The Woman in Black

James Watkins' horror update of the famous play is also Daniel Radcliffe's first feature film post-Potter. This could provide the best movie jumps for your bucks in 2012. On UK release 10th February 2012.

6. Into the Abyss


Controversial, left field director Werner Herzog returns with a documentary in the same vein as Nick Broomfield's tracking of serial killer Aileen Wournos as he returns to the roots of a triple homicide committed in Texas 10 years ago and talks to the relatives of the victims and to the perpetrators themselves who are scheduled for execution. Likely harrowing but also insightful. On UK release 23rd March 2012

7. Dark Shadows

It's a Tim Burton film so a kooky script and a superb cast are almost second nature as Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Michelle Pfeiffer join forces in this update of the cult US television series about vampires and monsters. On UK release 11th May 2012

8. The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan's vision returns to the big screen this summer with his final installment in the Batman franchise. Inception's Tom Hardy is the mighty Bane, one of Batman's most deadly, physical antagonists and Anne Hathaway is attempting to outdo Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal as the feline fatale Catwoman. If this gets even half of the box office reception that predecessor The Dark Knight received then this could be another great summer for Warner Bros. On UK release July 20th 2012

9. Skyfall

Despite MGMs bankruptcy issues, the 23rd James Bond film is now full steam ahead. Daniel Craig's back for his third appearance as 007 in the series' incredible 50th year. We are told that this film has all the perfect Bond elements and is akin to the early 1960s films such as From Russia With Love and Goldfinger. Sam Mendes seems the perfect choice to steer Bond in the right direction as the series reaches such a huge milestone. October can't come soon enough. On UK release October 26th 2012

10. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Peter Jackson returns the story of the little Hobbits to the big screen in the first of a two part adaptation of Tolkien's The Hobbit, the pre cursor to The Lord of the Rings. Martin Freeman looks like the perfect Bilbo Baggins and from the looks of the trailer it looks like we have another Christmas cinematic treat in store for 2012.

One for the weekend...

Welcome to 2012, and the first of my One for the Weekend sections of the blog. Keeping it simple, this is where I post my pick of the films to watch this weekend. First up is quirky, engaging rom com 500 Days of Summer (Marc Webb, USA, 2009), making its premiere on Channel 4/4HD on Sunday 8th January 2012 at 9pm.

Teaming two of the best young talents, Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Webb's film is simultaneously a brilliantly insightful outlook on modern relationships and an inversion on the stereotypical boy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after fantasy. Gordon-Levitt's comic timing is superb and Deschanel just has to walk into frame and the film shines that little bit brighter. The film is also notable for making a name of rising star Chloe (Kick Ass, Let Me In) Moretz, who plays Gordon-Levitt's wiser than her years sister in the film.

Bolstered by an eclectic soundtrack and one of the best sequences in recent years set to the upbeat "You make my dreams come true" from Hall and Oates, this is a refreshing rom com that provides the perfect antidote for a couple of hours away from the humdrum of daily life.