I think it’s pretty safe to say that Facebook has changed the world. It has become so ingrained into peoples lives, connecting anyone with an account all over the world in one space. Sure, we have seen such networks before, such as Bebo and Myspace. But unlike those, Facebook has been going strong since 2004, and is just getting bigger and bigger. It’s creation, is nothing short of genius.
However, whilst it is a landmark in modern culture, really, how good would a movie be about it really. I, like most people, were purely baffled about the idea of “FACEBOOK - THE MOTION PICTURE”. I mean, the mere idea “seems” ridiculous. Even the attachment of the great director David Fincher still created doubts that a facebook movie would actually be good. Well, shame on me for doubting. It is VERY good.
The movie essentially chronicles the true story of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), who in 2003 is studying at Harvard, is dumped by his girlfriend, Erica Albright (Rooney Mara), in response to which creates an internet page whilst drunk called FaceMash, a page which compared the looks of female Harvard undergraduates which became so popular on campus it shuts down the Harvard network. This captures the attention of Divya Narenda (Max Minghella) and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer) who have an idea of setting up an exclusive Harvard social network, but Zuckerberg has other ideas and with the help of his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), Dustin Moskovitz (Joseph Mazzello), Chris Hughes (Patrick Mapel) and later Napster creator Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) create the multi-billion dollar empire that is Facebook, along with it a series of lawsuits.
When you look into the history of Facebook, there is much detail to cover, and only a competant filmmaker could bring it to the screen in such an interesting and entertaining fashion. David Fincher truly is one of the great directors working today, with a consistant track record of quality (minus Alien 3, but that was hardly his fault) from 1995’s oft immitated thriller Se7en, 1997’s fun ride The Game, 1999’s cult classic Fight Club, 2002’s tense Panic Room, 2005’s amazingly detailed Zodiac and 2008’s grungy fairy tale The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. He is the kind of director, when left to his devices, brings to the screen an signature style, a flexibility and genre and a great ability to pull together an excellent array of talent and The Social Network only proves he is still at the top of his game.
The script is written by Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing fame, based on the Ben Mezrich novel “The Accidental Billionaires”, and it could have easily been lost in a sea of law mumbojumbo and computer tech speak. Sorkin however maintains these elements but gives it a compelling edge, as well as giving the film an excellent fluid mix of drama, comedic moments and full rounded characters. It can be said to be like what Fincher accomplished with his masterpiece Zodiac, which was not only deep in detail, but had epic scope and excellently written characters. While i am unsure how much of the truth has been stretched, it provides a extremely compelling story.
The casting is impeccable, providing another lineup of young and up and coming actors in Hollywood. Jesse Eisenberg of Adventureland and Zombieland embodies Zuckerberg. He powerfully displays a man who is obviously a genius, one who is arrogant yet incredibly likeable, trying to deal not only with the rise in fame under a powerful empire, but also maintain his relationships which are effected in the process, specifically his ex-girlfriend and his partners in business. He strong leads the film.
English actor, Andrew Garfield is also great as Saverin, who slips into American like a glove and proves why he is one of the most promising young actors today. In Saverin, he provides a tragic and likeable figure, effectively creating a believable friendship in Saverin with Zuckerberg. In a scene near the end where he confronts Zuckerberg in the Facebook offices is truly tour de force, a vision of hopefully excellent stuff to come.
Justin Timberlake as Napster creator Sean Parker is also very good, creating a third element in a business triangle. He’s a ladies man, a man who likes good business and want success, he is very much a Gordon Gekko figure if were to compare. He’s very likeable whilst being devious and wild. Timberlake shows that he really can act afterall.
Also, Armie Hammer as the Winklevoss twins is extremely well done, effectively witht help of modern technology create two different and rounded performances, most of which takes play within the same frame, making some of the best single actor twin work in film.
Worth mentioning is the soundtrack of the film, which is done by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Reznor gives the film a wide, layered sound that is unique and very much his style, fusing traditional pieces with industrial, electronic beats. It feels like a soundtrack made by a true artist rather than your average composer. Hopefully he composes for film more often in the future.
In the end, the film is a total surprise and is extremely well put together, through direction, editing, cast, script and cast and is destined to be one of the films to define this generation, like Wall Street for the 1980s. Even if you do not understand how they actually created Facebook or some of the law proceedings, it does not matter, in fact the film transcends this to a very bold, detailed, human story, about young people and the effect one billion dollar idea can have, the way it changes relationships, changes people and in the end, changes the world.
5/5
