By Zack Gill
Staff Writer
The idea of “the Facebook movie” raises many questions. Why has David Fincher, director of such brooding and dark films as “Fight Club,” “Se7en,” and “Zodiac,” made a movie about a website? With the release of “The Social Network” on Oct. 1, this question is answered.
Jesse Eisenberg portrays Mark Zuckerberg who, along with friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), founded the internet networking phenomenon Facebook.
The movie chronicles Facebook’s beginning as a website for comparing Harvard co-eds on “hotness” and follows the phenomemon through to its widespread succes and the eventual legal battles over its creation. This created a controversial genesis of Facebook, according to most of the nation. Sorkin makes sure that every element within the film is completely true and relevent to the history of Facebook.
The story of the film is framed through two legal battles: one between estranged friends Zuckerberg and Saverin, and another between Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss twins (both of whom are portrayed by Armie Hammer), who claim credit for the idea of Facebook.
Through legal depositions, the film flashes back to Zuckerberg’s time spent at Harvard and eventual move to Silicon Valley, while portraying all three sides of the story. The film also portrays Napster founder Sean Parker’s (Justin Timberlake) involvement with the site, as well.
The film contains three subtle yet noteworthy performances from Garfield, Timberlake and especially Eisenberg. Garfield’s performance in this film is easily his best performance thus far in his career.
Playing the downtrodden, exploited Saverin, Garfield is incredibly patient with his character. When it is finally time for him to explode with anger, Garfield does so realistically and passionately.
Timberlake’s portrayal of the notorious playboy founder of Napster is also noteworthy. Timberlake obviously functions well in his role (as anyone familiar with his music career could guess), but as the film draws to a close Parker becomes a much darker character and Timberlake proves to be surprisingly versatile in his ability to communicate that bleakness.
However, Jesse Eisenberg is the standout of “The Social Network.” Although often refered to as a wannabe Michael Cera, Eisenberg has already proved himself capable in “Adventureland” and especially “The Squid and the Whale.” Eisenberg truly brings life to Mark Zuckerberg.
Although Eisenberg portrays Zuckerberg as a ruthless radical, for all the horrible things Zuckerberg says and does, Eisenberg roots him in reality and occasionally makes him sympathetic. That’s a feat in itself considering that this film is as unflattering to Zuckerberg as it possibly could be.
Famous for doing as many as 20 takes of a single shot, Fincher’s perfectionism with “The Social Network” brings stunning results. It’s odd how complex and technical some of the shots are in a film about a website. The scenes set in Harvard are exceptionally well shot. With gorgeous lighting and intricate framing, Fincher brings the campus, and the world of the film, to life.
It’s odd enough that Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and collaborator Atticus Ross have created a score for a film about Facebook. What’s even stranger is that the score is so effective. Reznor and Ross’s sparse electronic compositions compliment the alienation of Zuckerberg and the intense tone of the film.
It’s a shame that Fincher takes so long to make his films. With “Zodiac,” and now “The Social Network,” he continues to make some of the best films of the last 10 years. “The Social Network” is rated PG-13 and is playing in theaters nationwide.
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