Of course, we really shouldn't be surprised that Hollywood has chosen to go the "sex" route to promote a film. The surprising thing is that it really hasn't been done previous to this. Obviously, the poster as it appears on the left will never make it to many [most] theatres. Can you imagine someone hanging that in the lobby of a multiplex in the midwest? I live firmly in the bible belt and trust me, this poster won't be up in Tulsa theatres. But, in this day and age of viral advertising and the importance of getting the word out via social media outlets, the display of Rooney Mara's pierced nipples on full-display isn't that shocking to me. Tasteless? Maybe. Shocking? Not really.
I didn't read Stieg Larsson's trilogy of books this movie is based upon, but I did watch the Swedish versions of the movie with the bad-ass Noomi Rapace playing "Lisbeth Salander." This image seems really out of place from the character that I remember in those three films. Salander, in the Swedish films, would never be clinging onto "Mikael Blomkvist"'s [character played by Daniel Craig] arm like this as he protects her while she is naked to the world. The woman was so damaged that it just would not happen. It's going to be hard for Mara to top Rapace in capturing the dark essence of this beloved character, so maybe Fincher and the advertising people have chosen the instant gratification of lots and lots of media attention to generate buzz. It just makes me wonder, how much else will they tinker with regarding the relationship between Blomkvist and Salander, if they will freely manipulate the pair's bond for the sake of a little bit of summer heat on the internet?
Anyone have any thoughts on the poster? Like it? Hate it? Feel it's completely inappropriate for the characters? Or, is it accurate from what is in the book?
8 comments:
As you had written before, I believe this is just yet another movie being promoted by sex appeal. To me, this just means its probably not very good. Only movies lacking a solid storyline would need this attention. With that said, i bet hits top of the charts...
I saw the Swedish movies, too.
Yep, this poster is bad bad bad. I mean, shove a hundred nipples in my face, and I won't be shocked, but it's just all wrong for this. Yeah, like that girl would willingly take her clothes off and show herself to an audience (or like you said, cling to the guy).
I don't have good expectations for this. I frankly also don't see the reason to re-do this the American way after it's been done the Swedish way only a year or two ago (Jeez! Sweden is not that exotic!) I would say despite the "shocking" poster the American version won't go dare make Lisbeth nearly as hardcore as the Swedish one. They will make her at least somewhat more needy and clingy to explore the relationship part. For sure. Think there will be a few tears? There might be.
David Fincher is no stranger to intense films so I'm not sure he'll water it down too much, but it's just annoying that this is being made at all since the Swedes just did it so well. It's Hollywood though. Got to cash in as quick as you can.
What I really want to know: are the American movies set in Sweden, or in America?
I'm assuming from the names that they are still set in Sweden?
If that's the case, that's the most annoying part. The Swedish movies were pretty good. So let's make a remake, also set in Sweden, because as Americans we can show so much better what Sweden and Swedes are like (it's a bit like eating a good authentic Chinese meal in North Platte, Nebraska (I tried that)).
No, seriously, if people make a remake there needs to be a minimal reason for a remake, like at least to adapt it culturally do another country. But I guess that's not what they're doing?
The characters have the same names, so I'm guessing it's set in Sweden, but with people speaking in English, so Americans don't have to read those distracting subtitles.
Exactly, it boils down to the subtitles. Ohmygod, people might actually have to read. I have a habit of turning subtitles on on everything, even German and English stuff because one misses things so easily (and I'm not a native English speaker, so if someone goes off in some crazy dialect...)
I'll let you know if that poster turns up in Salt Lake - I assume not, but one never knows, Utah has split personality syndrome and it just might.
Nothing subtle about this poster. It's clearly trying very, very hard to be provocative, but just ends up just coming across as desperate. I hate it.
I loved the original Swedish movie, seen at the Circle Cinema. Agreed, Naomi Rapace will be nearly impossible to beat in the role. When you are into the movie, the subtitles disappear.
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