Gone Girl: Movie Review
David Fincher is one of my favorite filmmakers working today, and his latest project “Gone Girl” is just another example of why I get excited about sitting in a dark theater and taking in what director has to offer. Many who have read Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel, felt that there was no way a film could be adapted properly. I have not read the novel myself, but fellow critics have told me that they think Fincher did the source material justice. I can’t compare the film to the book, but I can tell you that on its’ own, “Gone Girl’ is absolutely fantastic. It probably helped that Flynn took it upon herself to write the screenplay.
Nick and Amy Dunne (Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike respectively) have a seemingly happy marriage, but not everything is what it seems. On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick had planned to tell his wife that he wanted a divorce. When Nick comes home he notices damaged furniture and that Amy is nowhere to be found, he calls the police. With Detective Boney (Kim Dickens) and Officer Gilpin (Patrick Fugit) on the case, eyes begin to point towards Nick as a possible suspect.
For me, not having read the book probably let me enjoy the film even more. I had absolutely no clue which direction things were headed in so I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time. I feel like I would be doing those who read this review a great injustice if I told you more of the story than the basic set-up. I will tell you that Affleck continues to grow as an actor and I think much of that has to do with his work as a filmmaker. It is Pike though that completely steals this movie. She gives one of the best performances of the year and hopefully will get some Academy Award consideration for it.
Fincher does a great job with not only the look of the film but also allowing the audience to spend time with Nick and Amy and showing us who they really are. “Gone Girl” is as much a thriller as it is a character study and it is also quite original. The run-time is nearly 150 minutes and it never feels like it. Make sure you go and see “Gone Girl” on the big screen before it’s gone.
By: Marc Ferman