The Social Network (PG-13)
Mike:
Mike: Tonight I am reviewing The Social Network, which is essentially, Facebook: The Movie. This is the story of how Mark Zuckerberg and others started Facebook, while still college students.
I enjoyed this movie and I think that it was well written, directed and acted. The problem is that even though I keep reading and hearing all kinds of Oscar buzz for this movie, I don’t see it. The movie is good, don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t blown away. With the credentials of an Aaron Sorkin script and being directed by David Fincher, I was expecting to be floored.
The movie lured me in, because I wanted to know the story behind Facebook, a website with over 500 million members. Like me, I think most people have no idea that it was created by a Harvard sophomore or how it came to be. The story is told through court depositions for two lawsuits against Zuckerburg that are fleshed out by flashbacks. Did Zuckerberg steal the idea? Did he screw people over? Was this all about greed or revenge? Is Mark a single minded genius or a lonely loser who hoped to be noticed by girls? All these questions are raised and will give you something to think about after you have heard their version of the story.
The filmmakers rounded up a great young cast featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield. Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg easily carries the film. He has proved this with both Adventureland and Zombieland. Maybe this should have been called Facebookland? Timberlake shows up as Napster founder Sean Parker, who helps transform The Facebook into the billion dollar Facebook.
You also get the chance to see two actors on the cusp of huge roles. Rooney Mara plays Erica Albright, the girl who drives Zuckerberg to create something new. Mara will become the Lisbeth Salander-The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. Andrew Garfield plays Zuckerberg’s one real friend and Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin. Garfield is going to be the new PeterParker/Spiderman in the Spiderman reboot.
Fincher and Sorkin have created a movie about brilliant but flawed humans who create something revolutionary. Sorkin always takes what could be very boring or dry subjects and makes them interesting and dramatic. The dialogue is witty and occasionally laugh out loud funny. Fincher gives a dark tone to the film. Not as dark as his Seven or Zodiac, but still there is an underlying sadness to this story. The mood is aided by the dark score from Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
How do I rate this? I give the movie a 4 out of 5 overall and 4 out of 5 for drama. The movie is definitely worth your time, but I just don’t think this is going to be the box office blockbuster that the media is predicting.
