Reel Facts & Opinions: Everything You Need to Know About GONE GIRL

 

October is wasting no time in getting down to business and is ushering in one of the most anticipated films of the year in its first weekend. Here is everything you need to know about GONE GIRL.

What is this about? – GONE GIRL is a mystery/suspense thriller in which Nick Dunne reports his wife, Amy, has gone missing on the occasion of their fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation shifts towards Nick, his portrait of a perfect marriage begins to fall apart in the public eye.

Who stars in this? – Nick Dunne is played by Ben Affleck, and his wife Amy is played by Rosamund Pike. Pike is known for her roles in JACK REACHER (2012), THE WORLD’S END (2013), WRATH OF THE TITANS (2012), and BARNEY’S VERSION (2010). She also played a Bond girl in DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002). Also tagging along are Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, and Kim Dickens.

Who is directing? – GONE GIRL is directed by David Fincher, whose directing credits include SE7EN (1995), FIGHT CLUB (1999), ZODIAC (2007), THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008), THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010), and THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011).

Where did this story come from? – GONE GIRL is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. It was #1 on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction Bestseller list for eight weeks. It was also twenty-six weeks on National Public Radio’s hardcover fiction bestseller list.

Random Facts – Trent Reznor and his creative partner Atticus Ross are providing the score. This is the third collaboration with Fincher with others being DRAGON TATTOO and THE SOCIAL NETWORK…with the latter winning them an Oscar. * Gillian Flynn, author of the novel, wrote the screenplay and changed the ending from the book to keep readers interested in the film version. * To research his role, Ben Affleck researched and studied several men who had been accused and/or convicted of killing their wives, and paid particular attention to Scott Peterson.

What to expect – David Fincher has become the go-to guy for adapting novels into films; his last five features have all been adaptations. But he hasn’t been just adapting airport-paperback books onto the screen; he’s been dealing with dense material and complicated characters and unfolding them for the masses to understand in a delicate and masterful way. In GONE GIRL, we can expect strong characterizations, a lot of atmosphere, and plenty of misdirection and mystery. Fincher also has a knack for getting strong, transformative performances out of his characters, so expect some great acting as well. GONE GIRL has all the potential to be another tall feather in Fincher’s cap.

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GONE GIRL arrives October 3^rd.