From the acclaimed director of SE7EN and FIGHT CLUB comes…a movie about Facebook. The notion of David Fincher helming a film documenting the early days of the online phenomena was laughed at when first announced. Fincher however proves his worth as an upper-echelon director with THE SOCIAL NETWORK; wisely not allowing the backdrop of the website’s tale to overtake the characters, making this one of the most pleasant surprises of 2010.
Harvard nerd Adam Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), after proving his genius in writing online code, is recruited by the Winklevoss twins (both played by Armie Hammer, courtesy of some outstanding digital effects) to create on online Harvard social network. Adam, with the financial backing of his friend Eduardo (Andrew Garfield), takes the concept a step further and creates what ultimately is the Facebook of today.
What follows, and keeps NETWORK afloat is a tale of legal wrangling and damaged friendships. The film intercuts between the creation of the site and the legal depositions that frame the story. The narrative revolves around Adam, and he could not be a more hated main character. He is a douche; lowballing his friends who made sacrifices to help him. With a lead character that is unlikeable, NETWORK feels like it would sink with no real sympathy. But it’s for his friends that we feel sympathy for, as Adam takes and takes without a regard for anyone or anything. Any person who has ever had a strong and special friendship dissolve will instantly connect.
Eisenberg really shines here; displaying a heartless anti-social demeanor that is convincing enough to make the audience hate him and root for him. The real surprise probably comes from Justin Timberlake, who plays Napster-founder Shawn Fleming. The casting is perfect (one dick playing another dick), and Fincher does a nifty lighting-from-beneath on him that sets him up as the devil in this creation story.
Fincher’s visual style, combined with the razor-sharp dialogue keeps things moving, and the film never drags. Trent Reznor brings in a very fitting and cool score and sets up a perfect atmosphere.
With a lot of focus on character, and a resistance to the urge of making a movie all about Facebook, Fincher has delivered a solid film that begs to be watched again and again. It is smart, funny, engaging, and worthy of a “Like” click.
BOTTOM LINE: See it.
Took your advice and saw it with Joey on Friday. Both of us really enjoyed this movie! Excellent story line, great writing. I certainly was one of the many who thought this movie would be all about Facebook, but instead it's all about it's creators. I didn't look at my watch one time...truly enjoyed the back and forth between the litigation and the college days. There are not many movies I'd pay to see again...the writing makes me want to go back. Excellent review as always pal!!
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