“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” had a weak opening weekend, only making $12,768,604. Since its release date, Dec. 21, the film has made an estimated $69,036,000 in the U.S., but the film cost about $90 million to produce.

The 2 hour and 40 minute “R”-rated thriller directed by David Fincher is based on the hit book written by Stieg Larsson. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” along with the two other books in the trilogy written by the Swedish author, was not published until 2005, after Larsson died.

There are a few complaints about the book-to-film transition. The book goes into much more detail than the movie, which is why the book is generally better liked than the movie.

The movie, like the book, is quite extreme and suspenseful. The film starts off with Henrik Vanger, played by Christopher Plummer who is most known for his role as Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music film (1965), in his office standing over framed flower petals.

The petals, as you find out later in the movie, are a gift he received from his granddaughter every year, even after she had gone missing.

Henrik Vanger hires Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), a journalist who is going through legal troubles. Henrik informs Mikael of the circumstances and his hopes to find his granddaughter.

The film then goes back and forth between the lives of Mikael and Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a.k.a. the girl with the dragon tattoo. The audience sees the legal troubles that Mikael is going through as well as the financial woes of Lisbeth.

It is Lisbeth’s story that adds a lot of interest in the movie because her background is filled with financial issues, being alone and being a victim of rape.

This movie is fantastic and filled with many familiar actors and actresses. The acting is particularly well-done which allows the exciting and suspenseful plot to be effective, but it’s rated “R” for a reason. The brutal rape scene is just one of the reasons for the high rating: sexual assault, violence, harsh language and nudity all contribute as well.

Audiences with weak stomachs may not be able to handle it, but it is a great film that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. The ending is twisted and exhilarating, and will leave some with a feeling of sadness, but also eagerness for the sequel.

Despite the lack of enthusiasm at the box office within the first weekend of its release, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” has received great reviews and is nominated for two Golden Globe awards.