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.
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