The way thrillers used to be!
Swift shot: Fincher is this generation’s Hitchcock. Gone Girl is probably one of the best thrillers of all time, with acclaimed author, Gillian Flynn penning the screenplay solidifying the characters from novelization to screen. This is one of those films you’ll be talking about the whole ride home and will have you wondering about your own romantic relationships. I have heard other critics say this is not a first date movie. I agree.
Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) is married to Amy (Rosamund Pike), and she is amazing. In fact, she’s the living embodiment of her parents’ successful children’s book series “Amazing Amy.” And on Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing. Naturally, her husband is the prime suspect. Given that he doesn’t seem all that bothered by her disappearance, the police begin a cat and mouse game with him to try and outwit him into giving away where she is . . . or more importantly, how he killed her and got rid of the body.
Borrowed loosely from actual fairly recent events and not so subtle caricatures of real life media voices surrounding the Scott Peterson case, Gone Girl dissects the two sides of the murder mystery, which is written with several pens as the audience gets to sit back and enjoy the circus that is Nick Dunne’s macabre mire.
Nick’s twin sister, Margo (Carrie Coon) wants to believe that her brother couldn’t possibly have done something heinous to his wife. But, there is a fine line between apathy and becoming an accomplice to a crime. The police close in on the facts, and that is really just Act I of the almost three hour film, to give away anything more would be critical treason. But, some things I can reveal here. Nick finally has to hire a slick lawyer, Tanner Bolt (Tyler Perry), and he wrestles with public outrage and media attention that he really doesn’t quite know how to handle. He’s a media novice. Then there are Amy’s parents, who have organized the biggest search effort ever, dwarfing his also-ran appearances at each search event, which seemingly cements his guilt.
Gillian Flynn by proxy of Fincher, gives the character of Amy a voice by using snippets from her diary, as we develop a bond with the couple. We see how they met and fell in love, we find out that like most couples, they aren’t perfect. Her diary narrates the film, with the familiar off-key dark scoring by Fincher pal, Trent Reznor. The tone and pulse of the film shifts as the pages of the diary reveal new layers of the mystery, and the audience discovers more about “Amazing Amy.”
Speaking of Amazing Amy, you will definitely be hearing Rosamund Pike’s name during award season, the question is not if, rather how many awards she will get for her performance. She commits to the role; in several scenes she conveys complete monologues with just her eyes. Yet, Fincher doesn’t do that dreadful thing that some story-tellers do where they assume the audience knows too much. Quite the contrary, actually. He gives you just enough to entice you to keep watching.
Ben Affleck has improved as an actor, I still think he does a better job directing than acting, but as Nick Dunne, he pulls off a believable character, with flaws and quirky strengths. Affleck gets it right in Gone Girl.
This is one incredibly well-crafted whodunit that ultimately delivers a stunning lesson in trust and love. If you want to know what makes this film so great, you really just have to see it yourself! So, do that, soon, because people won’t be able to shut up about it for long. And, for the love of God, leave your kids at home! If not, be ready for therapy bills.
