GONE  GIRL  4.0****

 

              Director David Fincher has delivered once again. His latest masterpiece, Gone Girl, is an uneasy thriller based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, (who also wrote the excellent screenplay for the film).  David Fincher is  one of my favorite directors particularly for his dark thrillers like “Se7en” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” though he's probably better known for “ The Social Network”, “Fight Club” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Fincher is a true artist. He creates incredibly intricate and stunning settings for his films through his unique and highly stylistic visuals.  

 

Ben Affleck plays the husband of Rosamund Pike who goes missing on the day of their 5^th wedding anniversary, and after a wide ranging search, she is presumed dead. Naturally Ben Affleck is the prime suspect. All of this is divulged within the first 15 minutes of the film. What happens after I won't say because watching the story unfold with all its twists and turns is a BIG part of the thrill and enjoyment of this spectacular movie. You may think you’re pretty good at guessing twists.  But I promise that this time most of you will be blindsided more than once. The story is dramatic, shocking and haunting without going overboard into ridiculousness. What transpires between these people is believable, but a real stretch at times, and is quite shocking. More than that I won't say.

 

The story’s beginning will  remind you of the infamous Scott Peterson case ( his pregnant wife went missing and he was later convicted of her murder) But the film looks unlike any film I've seen in recent years. Lead by an all-star cast featuring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, Gone Girl rises WAY above other thriller/suspense movies with smart storytelling, amazing pacing and stellar performances. What Gone Girl does so brilliantly is tap into the audience's psyche regarding marriage and a blood-thirsty media. It becomes heavy stuff when the story  gets to the meat and bones of it all. With plenty of twists and turns, Gone Girl keeps you, not only second guessing the whole idea of marriage, but the intentions of every character in the film. It is truly one of the most delightfully twisted thriller films you’ll ever see  . David Fincher and his longtime collaborator and cinematographer, Jeff Cronenweth create a hauntingly tense tone  that makes every twist and turn that much more gut wrenching. Every shot is meticulously planned, showing each shot as if it were a still frame that speaks a thousand words. It is truly gorgeous filmmaking. And as for the music, Trent Reznor and Atticus Finch deliver a perfect score, besting their Social Network and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo scores.  

 

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are EXCELLENT in this film. Harris and Perry give well rounded performances as well but are nothing compared to Affleck and Pike.  Pike is at her career best, particularly in the film's second half where she is nothing short of spectacular !!  She should be  a major contender for this year's award season. Affleck is no slouch either, being tasked with a lot of the weightier moments and nailing them like a seasoned pro. Affleck expertly plays up Nick's winning smile and boyish charm, but there's also an almost uncontrollable rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

 

The only  negative about the movie for me was the ending.. This film is almost 2.5 hours long and yet the ending seemed TOO abrupt and left me confused . Maybe that’s what Fincher intended but I felt like something was left out or maybe I missed something.. But, nonetheless it did not detract enough to change my opinion that this is one of the best films of the year. It is a totally mesmerizing film that probably calls for multiple viewings to truly get the full experience. It is impeccably made, beautifully acted and an all-around a near perfect film.

Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language

Clark

PS: If you find yourself confused about the ending as I was  I’ll be happy to share with you what I learned after I checked other reviews of the movie and the ending.