The Mass Effect trilogy has taken over my life, and I feel horrible about it.
In an effort to break my newly developed obsession with all the elevator riding and hooking up with not-real women that make Mass Effect worth playing, I dragged Mandi out to a film that she had already seen, based on a book that she had already read in Gone Girl. She was happy to go though, just to see my reaction to the film. She was not disappointed.
I've been looking forward to this film for a while for two main reasons. One, I'm an Affleck enthusiast. I'm a huge advocate for him being Batman, I've enjoyed all his directorial efforts, and I even liked him in Daredevil. So clearly I'll watch him in anything. The second, and bigger, reason is that I believe that David Fincher is one of the greatest film makers of his generation. I really don't think he's made a bad film yet, and that's not something I can say about most directors. The only other director off the top of my head is Christopher Nolan, but I can admit to being super biased on that one. Fincher's work is both high-quality and consistent. Always visually stimulating, stylistic, and raw, while also appealing to mass audiences. His partnership with Trent Reznor has made for some great film scores, and I don't usually notice or care much about music in film. Everyone loves Fight Club, Seven is one of my all time favorite films ever, and I sincerely thing Alien 3 is underrated considering it was his first film ever. Fincher is one of the greats in Hollywood right now, and Gone Girl helps cement that fact.
Putting it simply, this film is a twisty mindfuck of a great story about horrible people. It plays with the idea that the presentation of oneself does not always truly reflect who they are, and the person underneath can be so much worse than 'normal'. The story, in its simplest form so as to not spoil anything, surrounds a husband (Affleck) leading the search for his missing wife (Rosamund Pike) but as the search continues details arise that suggest ol' Batfleck himself is the villain of the piece. The progression of the film encourages viewers to make assumptions and predictions just so the next revelation can flip them on their heads. It's a quality that I really loved in the film, but also led to an important realization that I feel is necessary to share: every character in this film is a bad person.
There is no traditional protagonist, and any time when I felt myself empathizing with a character I was guilty about it. I don't know what to do with that, but by the end of the film I was thankful for it. This allows the audience to want to step back and just become engrossed with the big picture, as opposed to the 'my favorite character' mentality. Basically, it made every scene important, not just the scenes with a particular character.
The actors sell this film so well. Affleck was perfect as Nick Dunne, the confused and concerned husband that can't properly react to his wife missing. The character being unable to appear sympathetic or have any common sense whatsoever only confuses those around him, as well as the audience, leading his guilt to be apparent (but not really). Also, I may never be able to see Rosamund Pike the same way again after this film. Her performance as Amy Dunne through this film is incredible. She transforms so much through the film that you have no idea how to feel about her until the end. The cast is rounded out by Carrie Coon as Nick's supportive sister Margo, the closest thing to a good person in the ensemble; Tyler 'Madea' Perry as the arrogant but successful defense attorney; Kim Dickens and The Kid From Almost Famous as the detectives working the case, trying oh so hard to keep up with everything and failing; and always appreciated appearances from Neil Patrick Harris and Casey Wilson (AKA Penny from Happy Endings!).
A really good thriller is hard to come by these days. I can't remember the last time I saw one that drew me in like Gone Girl did. Mandi can attest to the amount of 'Holy Shit!' exclamations I made in the packed theater (in which we were the youngest people by about 70 years). This film will cause you to think the whole way through, making the time fly. It is another true testament to David Fincher's ability, a man who made a movie about Facebook interesting. I can't wait to see it again to be honest, hopefully with people who haven't just to see their reactions. At the very least, anyone who watches this film will think twice about pissing off their significant others.
I need to know where Mandi is at all times now.
Knight Owl
