Gone Girl Movie Review

Gone Girl Movie Review

by Brian Wezowicz

I'm going to keep this review short because it's been about two months since I've seen this movie and I don't even think it's in the theaters anymore.

I'm a huge fan of professional wrestling.  I've been hooked since I was in the third grade.  I mention this because I think there should be a championship belt for movie directors.  Yes, I'm aware that the Oscars happen every year, but the championship belt would be for a body of work, not just a single film.

I'm a huge fan of David Fincher.  I think The Social Network may be the best film of the 2000's, and I'm still bitter that we haven't seen a sequel to his brilliant adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.  I salivate at the mere mention of a future Fincher project.  So it was with great excitement that I went to see Gone Girl, Fincher's adaptation of the popular novel by Gillian Flynn.

It's the story of the search for the missing wife of Ben Affleck's character, who may or may not be sketchier than he seems.  He soon comes under the media microscope, because his story isn't completely believable.  Affleck is so believable in this role because he knows a thing or two about being under the media microscope from his time in the Bennifer days.  This was a great casting choice.  I can't go too deeply into the plot, because there is a pretty major reveal about halfway through the film, but if you've read the book, you know what that reveal is.  If not, definitely check this one out.

This film flows like clockwork.  Fincher has a real talent for delivering a top-notch thriller.  As the layers peel back, and the story goes deeper, we are delivered a thoroughly entertaining film.  It is edited perfectly, the score (again by frequent Fincher collaborator Trent Reznor) is eerie as hell, the directing is top notch, and all the perfomances are great.  However, I left the theater wanting a little more.  I knew I had just seen a great movie, but there was a sinking feeling in my stomach that I couldn't quite get over.  At first, I couldn't quite put my finger on the problem, but after having time to ponder, I have realized what is wrong with this movie: Everyone in this film is an asshole.  There isn't a single likable character in the entire film, and I think that it slightly takes away from the film.

I'm giving this movie 3 out of 4 stars.  I'm docking it one star for the asshole factor.  It's a good, but not great David Fincher movie.  It's not as strong as his last few outings, but you'll probably enjoy it.