Gone Girl

[mrtylerdurden]

http://www.blackfilm.com/read/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Gone-Girl-poster-3.jpg

A Masterpiece.

This has been my most anticipated movie for at least a year now. David Fincher is my favorite director and this is set and filmed in Missouri which is where I was born, so of course I was very excited. Usually when you are anticipating a movie for so long, the movie is disappointing after all the hype and excitement. Your expectations are so high, and it's usually impossible for the movie to meet those incredibly high expectations. But somehow, Gone Girl not only met my expectations, but far surpassed them.

I'd first like to talk about marketing. They did an amazing job marketing Gone Girl. There have been at least 3 trailers, constant cryptic tweets from the Gone Girl account on Twitter, and multiple tv ads have been released. You would think that with so much marketing that the trailers would tell too much, and you would already know what would happen before you get to the theater. But that is wrong. They did an excellent job of showing new scenes and letting out more info with every trailer, without giving away too much. Since I have seen the trailers so many times, I thought I would know what was coming, and boy do I look like a fool now. Fincher teases the audience with the trailers, letting them think they know it all, and then leaves them speechless as they walk out of the theater. He found a way to rub it into the snobby audience members' faces, including mine. Now, onto the movie.

Without giving too much away, the basic story is that a man's wife disappears and they have to find out what happened. The story is full of twists and turns that completely threw me for a loop. I was completely immersed in the story and could hardly look away from the screen. The story is perfect, and has many layers that leave you thinking and make you want to return to the film to think on them some more. Gillian Flynn has proved herself to be a great writer, not just as a novelist, but as a screenwriter.

The acting in this film is great. There is not one bad performance in this entire movie. Every single person on screen is great. First of all, Ben Affleck is amazing in this. He shows emotions very well in his face, but it is very subtle. He doesn't overact, he doesn't underact. He is perfect in this film. I never really thought that I would be speaking so highly of Ben Affleck's acting, but he deserves it. He truly is amazing in Gone Girl, and I would be lying if I said any different.

Rosamund Pike plays Amy Dunne, and I don't want to give away too much, so I'm just going to say this: Rosamund Pike is phenomenal in this movie. I don't think anyone else could have played her part. She is perfect in this movie and if her performance in Gone Girl isn't Oscar worthy, then I don't know what is.

Of course, as is with any Fincher film, the camerawork in this is fantastic. Jeff Cronenweth really does a great job of bringing darkness to the story through framing, and especially lighting. It still has Fincher's signature green tint, but it isn't quite as noticeable in this movie. But it's still there and it's a reminder from Fincher saying "Hey, this is still my movie. Ok?" The camerawork is beautiful, and Cronenweth definitely deserves an Oscar for his work in this. I can't wait to see it again and analyze the camerawork.

The soundtrack for this film is also amazing. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have made one of the most beautifully atmospheric and memorable scores I've ever heard. In fact, I'm listening to the soundtrack as I am writing this review. It really helps to keep the mood of the movie, hence the reason I'm listening to it while I write this review.

David Fincher has crafted a masterpiece, a piece of art. You can just sense Fincher smirking as you go through the twists and turns of the film. It's like forced hypnotism. Fincher says "I don't care if you like it or not, you will be hypnotized during this film. You won't take your eyes off the screen. And you can't leave until I snap my fingers and the credits roll. Then, you can leave and go back to your lives. But for now, you're in my world." And frankly I love that world. Fincher has proved that he is truly the master of his craft. He can make an amazing movie that will completely mess with you, and you know that he loves it. The film is delightfully dark, and has the Fincher cynicism and dark humor that I've come to love. This film hearkens back to the social commentary and meaning of Fight Club. This isn't just a "mystery movie" this is a Fincher movie. You feel as if Fincher is in the projection room laughing and grinning as the audience oohs and ahhs at whats on screen. I'm sorry that I have talked about Fincher for so long, but it just feels completely like a Fincher film. And I love it.

Gone Girl is perfect. I cannot think of anything that I didn't like about this movie. It is a flawless masterpiece, and it is what I think may be remembered as a classic years from now. Go see Gone Girl right now.
You won't regret it.

rating_5

[skizzerflake]

I'll add my observations to yours -

Gone Girl, currently sitting at 8.8 on IMDB and 93% on Rotten Tomato is a big hit with critics. Directed by David Fincher, whose resume includes Fight Club and House of Cards, this is a long and laborious, carefully crafted story with one foot in the noir world (it somewhat reminds me of Double Indemnity) and another in that more contemporary genre of media insanity, while also being a police procedural.

Ben Affleck is Nick, a guy whose career isn’t going all that well, comes home and finds that his lovely wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) is gone, apparently kidnapped. There’s no ransom demand, but deliberately constructed clues start turning up. The town turns out to search for the lost wife, and when there is no success, media jackals jump on the story, turning the story into a Jonbenet Ramsey-like media circus with Nick as the villain. Videos are broadcast with Amy’s concerned parents and Nick pleading with the kidnappers. As the days go by, police start to suspect a different sort of foul play, and Nick, the concerned husband, is their focus.

As one would expect in a noir plot, things are not what they seem. Amy is alive and well, out on her own, and laying low, with an a agenda. Nick is revealed to have a secret lover that casts doubt on his credibility and he hires a celebrity lawyer (Tyler Perry) who specializes in defending celebrities in high-profile cases. Amy is revealed to have a background that defies her innocent, lovable image. The police are ready to arrest Nick and his seemingly complicit twin sister. I’d love to say how this ends but it would be a spoiler for a movie that takes its delight in the twists and turns that eventually reveal what has happened.

I liked this movie a lot, although it might be thought to be over-long at 2 1/2 hours. There is a lot of police procedure, and a complex exposition that reveals the story in two parallel time spans, Nick’s and Amy’s. It’s not an easy movie, has a lot of plot twists, has no action, and talks a lot. There’s one very serious, extended blooper that I won’t reveal since it would be a spoiler. I don’t know that I would put it at an 8.8 (in the lofty realm of Casablanca and Citizen Kane), but it’s far more interesting than a lot of what gets on the screen. Acting is excellent, pacing is tense and, if you like this sort of story, it mostly holds together and beats the heck out of another repetitive action movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym3LB0lOJ0o

[BlueLion]

I like your review even if I don't agree with everything you said.

Fincher is more than capable of making a damn fine movie, fact. That said, I don't see Gone Girl as the masterpiece so many people are seeing. It's not top tier Fincher for me, not even close (it's clearly no Se7en or Zodiac), but it's definitely more fun than those films. In fact I think it's the funniest film he has made since Fight Club (so I wasn't surprised when one of the members here was going to a theater which was showing those two films, as they're quite similar in tone)

And I've already said this, but my biggest complaint is the plot itself and how it unravels. Sure, the acting is very good (Rosamund Pike especially), Fincher's direction is first rate, and like you I loved the score. But some of the stuff in the film is just absurd, in other words it has things that would only happen in a movie world. I know it's based on a novel and Fincher did the best he could, but there were times when I thought "okay, I don't buy this".

Long story short, I thought that generally it lacked focus and it felt fabricated at times. It was close to a 4 film for me for about an hour or so, but then it started to explain itself too much. And then flashbacks which sometimes felt out of place. And then twists. And then more twists. But if there is one thing I loved, it's the dark humor. It's very Coenesque like I said in another thread, in fact the more I think about the film, the more I see it as a dark comedy. There are more humorous and amusing moments than there are shocking and disturbing moments.


I rate the film 3 but I'm a very strict rater so that's a thumbs up from me.

[seanc]

I'm still gathering my thoughts. I am certainly findind myself more in the Blue Lion camp. I enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately as with a lot of thrillers the first half worked way more for me. My suspension of belief slowly dwindled through the second half. I also thought Pike was subpar. I didn't think I would be alone in this but the more I read the more I think I am. Not a good actress in my opinion. Affleck was good as I think he is when he is allowed to be Affleck. Very good movie but not the great one I was hoping for.

[TONGO]

Since Fincher transcended from "dark gritty director" to an A-list director I now make a point to see all his flicks. I hope it doesnt piss me off like Gone Baby Gone did.

[seanc]

Since Fincher transcended from "dark gritty director" to an A-list director I now make a point to see all his flicks. I hope it doesnt piss me off like Gone Baby Gone did.

I love Gone Baby Gone but its not Fincher, it is Affleck. If that movie pissed you off I don't know that you will love this.

[BlueLion]

They're two very different films with very little in common

[Cobpyth]

It's coming out on the 8th of October here in Belgium, so I'll see it then. I definitely can't wait! From what I've heard and read about the mood and atmosphere from the film, this should be my cup of tea.

[seanc]

They're two very different films with very little in common

True. I should have asked what pissed him off. I was assuming it was the tone. So Tongo, what pissed you off?

[Gideon58]

Sorry, you didn't enjoy this movie, LOL!! Wow, I can't remember the last time I read such a glowing review for a film. The trailer I saw for the film made it look really interesting, but your review has piqued my curiosity even more. Well-written review, thanks for sharing.

[mrtylerdurden]

Sorry, you didn't enjoy this movie, LOL!! Wow, I can't remember the last time I read such a glowing review for a film. The trailer I saw for the film made it look really interesting, but your review has piqued my curiosity even more. Well-written review, thanks for sharing.

My review?

[Daniel M]

BlueLion: I watched Panic Room yesterday and I thought your review suited that quite a lot, a dark comedy disguised as a thriller, lots of funny moments in it.

Anyway, watching this in about half an hour :D

[BlueLion]

BlueLion: I watched Panic Room yesterday and I thought your review suited that quite a lot, a dark comedy disguised as a thriller, lots of funny moments in it.

Panic Room is the only Fincher I haven't seen. Would you recommend it?

Anyway, watching this in about half an hour :D

Cool, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[seanc]

My Gone Girl review

Gone Girl (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1183038#post1183038)

[Sexy Celebrity]

Panic Room is the only Fincher I haven't seen. Would you recommend it?

My personal opinion: No.

It wasn't a bad movie. It's been years since I saw it. It just hasn't stuck with me. I don't feel the desire to watch it again, and when a movie's like that, I say you don't really need to see it. Only reason I'd probably watch it again now is because Jared Leto is in it and Jared Leto has enlarged himself in my mind since I first saw Panic Room.

Lock a lesbian in a bathroom or a closet and pretend she's hiding in a panic room. You'll get the same experience -- probably even a better one.

[Daniel M]

Panic Room is the only Fincher I haven't seen. Would you recommend it?

It's okay. You can see Fincher's ability/craftmanship but there are too many coincidences and things that don't make sense for the film to be taken completely seriously. I give it 2.5 but it's one of those films that could be lower or higher depending on how you really rate films.

[Daniel M]

Anyway I saw this yesterday and I thought it was brilliant. BlueLion's thoughts are pretty accurate when explaining the film, which made me think I would like it.

There is so much I want to write, but I really don't want to spoil anything, the less you know, the better. It really is a WTF movie that takes a massive tonal shift halfway through from a thriller to a dark comedy, but I think it works brilliantly, especially as Pike's character slowly develops, leading to one of my favourite dark endings that I can remember.

This is DEFINITELY a dark comedy. BlueLion says its disguised as a thriller, but i'm not sure that's the right word, I think it's half and half, and I think the balance works great. What I will say is that the entire cinema that I saw it with laughed out loud all the way through, especially at the end.

Edit: Here's a review: http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=1183181#post1183181

[seanc]

So here are a few of my spoiler thoughts. Things that bothered me and took me out of the film a bit. Keep in mind I ranked this movie a 3.5. So in no way do I dislike this movie. I just don't think it is impeccable. Also included are a couple of amended thoughts on Pike's performance.

The three plot holes that bothered me the most ranked from least important to first:

1) Nick hiding the third envelope from the detectives. I know he was worried about them finding out about his mistress but not on any level would this be worse than them catching you in such a monumental lie. This became even more glaring when you find out he is innocent. Forgivable moment but still bothersome.

2) Amy still having blood all over her after spending a couple of days in the hospital. I know this was supposed to to have a visual impact in her interview with the FBI and the shower scene. However all impact these scenes should have was completely lost on me because of the blood. Somebody would have washed this man's blood off of her. The shower scene in particular, which should have been one of the best, was idiotic to me because of the blood. This maybe isn't so much a plot hole, but bothered me more than anything else.

3) The camera setup makes very little sense to me. We are lead to believe that this man has multiple cameras covering this house 24 hours a day. Then we are lead to believe that over the course of a week these cameras are going to catch nothing but what will incriminate this man. By far the biggest plot hole in the film to me.

Okay, I have mentioned in a couple of places that I really disliked Pike's performance. I am pretty sure dislike is still the right word. However, I am possibly willing to forgive a little bit more when I think of Amy in terms of being the Femme Fatale. In noir this character traditionally has a way about her that makes the performance feel unnatural. In that way Pike is probably doing what she was asked and it also makes me feel a little dumb for not seeing the main twist early. I still think she was pretty wooden, but now I want to see the performance again through that lens. I don't think she will be reminding me of Stanwyck however.

[Gideon58]

I loved Panic Room but don't remember anything funny about it. JMO.

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

The book's been on my to read list for too long now. I would like to read it before I see the film.

[InsideDavidGillan]

The book's been on my to read list for too long now. I would like to read it before I see the film.

I felt like this but ended up seeing the film first and am now reading the book and it has definitely not spoiled my enjoyment of either.

[Miss Vicky]

Going to see this tonight. Looking forward to it.

[mrtylerdurden]

The book's been on my to read list for too long now. I would like to read it before I see the film.

I would suggest not reading it first honestly. It's so much fun going into the movie without knowing anything except what the trailers tell you and being surprised. Trust me, you don't want the twists and turns spoiled fro you.

[skizzerflake]

So here are a few of my spoiler thoughts. Things that bothered me and took me out of the film a bit. Keep in mind I ranked this movie a 3.5. So in no way do I dislike this movie. I just don't think it is impeccable. Also included are a couple of amended thoughts on Pike's performance.

The three plot holes that bothered me the most ranked from least important to first:

.....2) Amy still having blood all over her after spending a couple of days in the hospital. I know this was supposed to to have a visual impact in her interview with the FBI and the shower scene. However all impact these scenes should have was completely lost on me because of the blood. Somebody would have washed this man's blood off of her. The shower scene in particular, which should have been one of the best, was idiotic to me because of the blood. This maybe isn't so much a plot hole, but bothered me more than anything else.

This was the one that blew the mood for me. It took a while to get back with the movie after that, which just didn't make sense.

[Daniel M]

When it doesn't make sense, just blame the book? :p

[MovieBuffering]

It's going to take a remarkably STRONG performance in the remaining 3 months of the year to convince me otherwise that Rosamund Pike shouldn't win Lead Actress Oscar. That was a powerhouse performance. Also I changed my avatar for the most avatar ready movie shot I'd ever seen haha. So much power in that one movie still of her looking up at the camera.

[Thursday Next]

Saw this last night and I thought it was really good. Not a masterpiece, but a slickly made, entertaining movie. It is a weird mix of thriller and dark comedy, and some of the things that happen are pretty preposterous, but I managed to mostly suspend my disbelief and enjoy the crazy ride. There's some pertinent satire in there about trial by media, and a funny scene in which Tyler Perry pelts Ben Affleck with sweets and tells him his acting is wooden :laugh:

There were a couple of moments where characters open doors and it's all tense which seemed at first a bit unnecessary, but I think on balance this was Fincher trying to keep the audience guessing about where this movie was going to go. And even though the first major 'twist' in the tale is guessable (I think it was supposed to be, though, as Nick is starting to suspect it himself), I really didn't know where this movie was going after that or where it would end up.

Sure, there were a few plot holes or things glossed over, and I suspect they might bother me more on a repeat viewing. (One thing: if they had had all these money problems why did they have such an enormous house?) There was also a noticeable amount of product placement. Also at times it did feel like they suddenly remembered they were making an adult thriller and therefore ought to have some more sex and strong language, rather than it feeling like natural dialogue or natural interaction between the characters.

I thought the acting was good, even Affleck didn't annoy me too much, or rather since his character was supposed to be kind of an *******, he annoyed me the appropriate amount. Rosamund Pike was good.

Finally, a small point which will probably not affect other people's enjoyment of the movie, but I liked that there were significant female supporting characters: the cop, the sister. It wasn't just all men with this one femme fatale woman in the middle.

4

[ashdoc]

Came back after seeing this movie in a multiplex just now in Bombay/India. And the women in the audience just loved it !!

They just loved a woman being so much in control , and the meek husband toeing her line !!

The audience just roared in laughter when one of the characters tells the hero ( in India we call the male leading actor as hero ) '' Just don't piss her off '' :eek::D

Don't know how to write a review without spoilers . But this thread brought out the best writing abilities among you all . Great reviews....

[ashdoc]

My review---

Ben Affleck returns home to find out that his wife is gone one day....

He calls in the cops , who begin the investigation....

And the investigation leads to one way---Ben Affleck becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance....

His wife is a celebrity , and the TV channels extensively explore the story....

The common people and especially the women are baying for his blood....

Women presenters run programmes on TV trying to prove that Ben is a murderer , and even his relationship with his sister is tried to be labelled as incestous....

Ben can't move anywhere without being hounded by the cameras and press....

He becomes the number one hated man in America....

So he hires a top notch celebrity lawyer to defend himself....

But the problem for those trying vilify Ben , and indeed those trying to get him convicted is---where is the body ?? And police can't make a clear cut case until his wife's body is found....

So where is the body ??
And what is the meaning of 'Gone girl' ?? Does it mean that his wife is gone ??
Or does it mean that she is/was a 'Gone case' ??

Either way , the cup of Ben's woes brimmeth over....
But just how much does it brimmeth over ??

Watch the movie for that....
The movie has some really stupefying answers for your questions....

Telling any more of the story would be spoiling the fun for you , and because the entertainment of those who read my reviews is uppermost in my mind ( see how much I care about you !! he he ) , I will desist from telling any more details of the movie....

Acting by Ben Affleck is good for once---at last he has become a good actor....
See how he acts in front of a camera faking how much he supposedly loved his wife....
And see how much pain and anguish he really feels at all that is happening around him....

The movie unfolds in flashbacks as a diary written by his wife ( acted out by Rosamund Pike ) is read out to us and she comes to life through the diary....
And the diary tells a story of a lovely marriage hitting the rocks....

And as she comes in the flashbacks , Rosamund puts up a great performance....
I particularly liked the soft way in which she talked , the soft way in which she talked not at all giving any hint of what was to come....
And what was to come , blew my mind away when it came....

I also liked the acting by the actress who played Ben's sister---and the sister is loyal and so supportive all the way, so loving , so caring....Vow !! I wished I had such a sister....Why doesn't God make such women any more....??

The plot twisted and turned several times giving some high blood pressure to weak hearts....
Some parts shown in the film were not realistic , but that is to be expected in this kind of movie---for what is a good movie without these kind of bloopers ??

But it did give some entertainment to savor....
And kept me royally interested throughout...

Verdict---Don't miss it....

4

[mrtylerdurden]

Even more amazing about the sister's performance in the movie is that it was that actress's first role in a film

[jorgepereira]

As a major David Fincher fan I was aching for its release for a while now.
The king of crime thriller is back and in full force.
For a bit, I was skeptical because of the clearly "out of the box" cast. Names like Ben Affleck, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris appeared and I for a moment there I was scared if Fincher was finally going to slip up. I was wrong and now i regret doubting this undoubtedly talented director.
Affleck´s way of acting (confused acting and not very believable at times :D) plays to his favor in this role of a confused man and Rosamund Pike is just AMAZING in this movie, best work i´ve seen from her to be honest. The story itself is simple at first glance. A guy who walks in to his house and sees some stuff broken and his wife gone. Kidnapped. He´s accused of murder. Pretty common stuff. The way Fincher approaches it and the way the story progresses is a much different thing.
I don´t want to give away anymore since it´s the type of movie best gone in without information. I can give you this, it´s the most satisfying crime thriller drama experience i´ve had in a few years and iv´e had A LOT. It´s intelligent and Fincher-like dark almost like a neo-noir like Seven or Zodiac but a little less mature but more family oriented and just a bit different overall.
If you haven´t seen it yet, go ahead, it´s worth the 2hr. 25 minutes u spend watching it.

4 out of 5

[Miss Vicky]

Gone Girl is family oriented?

:confused:

[mark f]

His first language is Portuguese.

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

Just watched it. This is standard stuff- I have no idea why people are acting like it's a great piece of art. Not only is it deadly slow- even after the twist- it's frequently predictable. It's fine enough as a rental for a Friday night but that is the kind of level it stays at.

[Chriskey2015]

the girl is pathetic, shes crazy

[Cole416]

Just watched it. This is standard stuff- I have no idea why people are acting like it's a great piece of art. Not only is it deadly slow- even after the twist- it's frequently predictable. It's fine enough as a rental for a Friday night but that is the kind of level it stays at.
Deadly slow is an opinion, I thought it was perfectly paced.

[DavisJohnson]

Last time i Watched gone girl movie online at theartre with lot of friends ...

i like to watch movies with friends..:):D:p

[kaurrose66]

Awesome movie, last week i watch this movie and i will give 7/10 for Gone Girl.