Ep 18. 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Interview: Rooney Mara

In season 5 episode 18 of Popcorn With Peter Travers, the focus is on the blockbuster hit movie 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'. The show features an in-depth interview with actress Rooney Mara, who plays the lead role of Lisbeth Salander in the film.

The interview delves into Mara's preparation for the role and the challenges she faced in portraying Lisbeth, a character that is both complex and intriguing. Mara talks about how she read the book and researched the character extensively in order to fully embody Lisbeth. She describes how she spent countless hours working on the character's physical appearance and mannerisms, including getting her nose and ear pierced and learning to ride a motorcycle.

Travers and Mara also discuss the dark and gritty nature of the film, which deals with themes such as sexual violence and murder. Mara talks about how she and the rest of the cast and crew were dedicated to bringing these difficult subjects to light and raising awareness about them. They also touch on the controversy surrounding the movie's graphic rape scene and the importance of portraying such scenes accurately and responsibly.

Throughout the interview, Mara shares insights into her creative process and the challenges of working on a film of this magnitude. Travers praises her performance as Lisbeth, noting that she brings a depth and complexity to the character that is both powerful and touching.

Overall, season 5 episode 18 of Popcorn With Peter Travers provides a fascinating look into the making of 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and the dedicated work of actress Rooney Mara. Fans of the film and those interested in the art of filmmaking and acting will find this interview to be insightful and thought-provoking.