Gone Girl
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, and Tyler Perry.
Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language.
Director David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac, Fight Club, The Social Network) gives life to Gillian Flynn's bestselling novel about a beloved woman who's gone missing and her husband who doesn't seem to be very concerned about it. Fincher is one of Hollywood's most respected directors today with an impressive resume, and with Gone Girl he delivers yet another shining thriller to his body of work.
Gone Girl tells two sides of a very complicated marriage. Nick and Amy Dunne were the perfect couple: good looking, smart, and crazy in love. But things are not always what they appear. One morning Nick discovers that Amy has vanished and finds a potential crime scene in his own home. An official investigation soon ensues and as evidence begins to reveal itself, all signs point to Nick as a suspect. Each day that Amy is gone brings new suspicions and revelations that make everyone wonder if Nick killed his lovely wife.
On the surface this appears to be another paint-by-numbers crime thriller. On the surface their relationship had its problems that were slowly eating away at their marriage. On the surface you've seen this before whether on the news or in another movie. But what web is springing forth beneath the surface? Enter director David Fincher. Much credit goes to excellent source material from author Gillian Flynn who ended up adapting her own novel into this screenplay. The film is a faithful adaptation of the book with only small changes, mostly with minor characters getting short changed or cut altogether.
Fincher is a master at not only creating a tense world, but then immersing his audience in such a world. The cinematography, editing, tone, and music (by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) are all atmospheric and greatly add to the feel of the movie. Even when things appear cute and happy, like in Nick and Amy's meet-cute scene, an unsettling feeling slithers its way into you. Ben Affleck has never been better as the seemingly apathetic Nick Dunne, and if you still find yourself thinking that he is an awful actor, then you're clearly basing your judgments on his earlier work and not great performances like this one, The Town, and Argo.
The real star of the film, however, is Rosamund Pike as Amy. You might be thinking, "How good can she be if she's missing for most of the movie?" The film, much like the book, is interspersed with flashbacks and diary entries telling Amy's side of the story, so Pike gets some great opportunities to deliver a layered and textured performance. Pike has been around in many supporting roles over the years, but this movie is going to launch her to A-list status with potential for Oscar consideration. Yeah, she's that good.
To reveal much more would be to enter into spoiler territory (though I will say one spoiler related comment after my rating at the bottom of the page), but this is a movie that has a lot going on. It is a top rate thriller with many twists and turns, but it is also provides a strong commentary on how the media can manipulate a nation with superficial and misunderstood information. Gone Girl also examines the facades we put up for the world and the ones we love, and how if couples are not careful they can slowly eat away at each other. The film is dark, disturbing, terrifying, and gets under your skin long after you leave the theater. If you're a fan of cookie cutter happy endings, perhaps you need a Sandra Bullock movie (no disrespect; this movie is just not for everyone). The film may be ten minutes too long, but all in all this is one of Fincher's best works and one of the best thrillers we've had in recent years. I was terrified.
RATING: A
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Okay, so if you're still reading you've either read the book or really just want to know what may happen, but I'm not going into specifics. Still here? Okay, here we go. All I HAVE to say is Rosamund Pike is one of the most terrifying on screen killers we've ever had. As far as terrifying murderous women go she may arguably put Glenn Close to shame. This is Fatal Attraction for a new generation. Seriously, her diabolical plans are disturbing and shocking. Some of the looks she gives in this movie will haunt you. Oh man, she made the second half of this movie a horror movie. I know why they released this in October. She's made me want to poop my pants.
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