The Social Network
Let Facebook be Facebook, because 'The Social Network' doesnt need the hype... - Karma-King
Mark Zuckerberg has said that he just wants this film to 'go away'. Hard luck, as this film is a gem and is in no way easily forgotten. Director David Fincher is seen as a more light hearted director compared to his other works like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Fight Club, the camera work is simple and leaves the characters and story by Aaron Sorkin to do all the hard work. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is both a flawed and loved character who has the amazing ability to portray insecurity and arrogance within the one sentence. This film is many things; a courtroom drama, a story of adolescence and friendship as well as being a sharp comedy. It's hard to imagine a better film out of this material and a second viewing is well advised.
The story opens with an impressive conversation between Zuckerberg and his girlfriend, played by Rooney Mara. Zuckerberg is clearly a smart guy, leaving Mara in the dust as he darts through topics but with the intelligence comes a social superiority, a very strong aspect of the character, followed by an ignorant phrase and a break up. Hurt and drunk, Zuckerberg hacks Harvard's system and creates the website 'facemash.com' in which people can rate the hotness of Harvard girls, while at the same time blogging abuse about his ex. Zuckerberg soon regrets what he did and goes about amending his public image which is when the viewer sees him as flawed yet lovable. Two preppy Harvard twins, the Winklevoss', offer him a gig with a new social networking site when they hear of his antics and when they say it will amend his image he agrees. The Winklevoss', being one of the lawsuits against Zuckerberg, are meanwhile oblivious to the fact that he is making his own project, 'TheFaceBook', with the aid of his best mate Eduardo (Andrew Garfield), who becomes CFO. Seeking advice for the website, they ask for the help of the creator of Napster, Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Eduardo later sues Zuckerberg at the same time as the Winklevoss' which is what the film is based on.
The beautiful thing about this film is that it forces no judgements on the characters or their motives and allows the viewer to decide, for instance; all of the characters are well documented so the film is not solely based on Zuckerberg, even the 'Winklevi' as Zuckerberg called them have their own adventure with the Harvard president and their rowing championship, giving them a more well rounded view of their motives of suing him. Even the final decision whether Zuckerberg stole their idea or not is left to the viewer.
Those avid Facebook users, like myself, will be amazed by the history of the website and watching him discover different ideas of facebook that we well know, like the relationship status, is similar to the enjoyment of watching kids find Easter eggs. While those who are less familiar with facebook will find great enjoyment in the story alone. Eisenberg, Fincher and Sorkin should expect global recognition, and a possible Oscar, for this genius movie.
Review published on the 19 October 2010 20:56
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