A bad film disappoints, it'll definitely be debated, possibly mocked and probably compared to better works.
A good film pleases, it'll be pondered over with what it did well and what it could have done better.
A great film captivates, it'll be cherished for years to come.
Seriously.
Films, however, are also meant to be fun. And they are. Which is why I love them.
I love the good and the great, and I like the non-cynical bad ones. Someone who tries and fails is always better then someone who never tries at all.
Anyone, to begin, I watched 'The Social Network' last night.
The story of how Facebook came to be, and the backstabbing and litigation that took place behind the scenes.
Quick synopsis - Mark Zuckerberg. Harvard student. Dumped by girlfriend. Creates comparison site, using pictures of girls from Harvard. Approached to create Harvard Connection, a Harvard-specific social network by Winklevoss twins. Begins to create Thefacebook with funding from best friend, Eduardo Severin. Stays in contact with twins, with vague descriptions of progress. E-mails twins with problems and says site is no longer viable. Launches Thefacebook. Expands to include other universities. Twins discover site and claim Zuckerberg has stolen their idea. Thefacebook expands. Gets renamed - Facebook is born... but not without a few disagreements.
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If you haven't heard the full story of how Facebook came to be, then I won't ruin the ending for you here but, if you believe the Aaron Sorkin-written, David Fincher-directed version (and don't, Sorkin's already made it clear he's not afraid to substitute the truth with good, quality drama) then it's pretty spicy stuff.
Sorkin's script is fantastic. It's 'modern', and I can't think of a better word to describe it, like no other film in recent memory, but then again, so is the story. It's sharp, it's non-stop, and I don't think there's a wasted word in the entire film. Maybe its because Facebook is such a recent phenomenon, and thus fresh in the brain, that it feels so vibrant, but I'm not so sure.
Fincher's direction is unflashy, and solid, which seems like another word for mediocre, but it isn't - Take the time to consider what would happen if Tony Scott directed a version of what is, in essence, the story of how a website was made... Fact is, David Fincher is an excellent director. It has similar feel and pacing to Zodiac, albeit without the murders. Its a way of making a blockbuster without the action.
Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg is perfect... Or is he? I have no idea what Mark Zuckerberg is like or if this is how he really behaves but... Hang on, I remember, the truth is not king here. So, yeah, Eisenberg is good, very good. While this isn't a massive leap from the characters he's played previously, it is still different. Quiet, but very driven and very intelligent. But for someone whose life revolves around a social network, he's fairly unsociable, annd yet very confident with it.
Everyone else does a good job, nothing too flashy, but then again, from what i've read, neither are the people that are being portrayed. College kids, nay, computer geeks, albeit very well off ones probably aren't that showy. Except Sean Parker, played by Justin Timberlake. Co-creator of Napster, and regular Don Juan if this is to be believed... No,wait, done it again - This is not a documentary. These things are not necessarily true.
Anyone, Sean Parker is a flashy character. Jusin Timberlake fits the bill and does a standout job, standing out among the nerds. Especially in his fall-from-grace, when he feels the wrath of Facebook's rather strict founder.
Overall, an excellent film. 8.5/10. (That's right, it's neither an 8 or a 9)
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Well, first review done. I may have written that a lot less reviewer-y then I intended, but maybe lots more then I expected. Im sure over time I will become to find a way to express my genuine love for films.
Over and out.
Liam
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