10 out of 10
The creation of Facebook, the social media website that has been seamlessly woven into the fabric of our culture, is an engaging, thought provoking tale. Based on the true story of Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of the global phenomenon, The Social Network is a fascinating movie that blends courtroom intrigue, backstabbing and duplicity with taut, multi-layered performances. There is little doubt that David Fincher’s film will be remembered at the Oscars this year. The big question is how audiences will react to Mark Zuckerberg; is he a backstabbing jerk who betrayed his friends or just a guy who got wrapped up in something bigger than himself? Perhaps it is a little bit of both. Opinions will vary of course, but that’s exactly the point of a great film, to stir up debate.
Combining visionary director David Fincher with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is as delicious as mixing chocolate with peanut butter. In the hands of lesser talents, The Social Network would have been told in a more conventional, linear fashion, but Fincher and Sorkin have created a brilliant narrative structure that juxtaposes the story of how and why Facebook was born with two riveting depositions against Zuckerberg. As is always the case with Sorkin, his dialogue is of the snap, crackle and pop variety and it is his best screenplay since his explosive debut in 1992 with A Few Good Men.
Fincher does an excellent job here, mining award winning performances out of all of the actors involved, while maintaining a tight reign over the story. As fascinating as the true story is, the movie could’ve easily been boring, and Fincher proves once again, what an amazing story teller he truly is. Calling this Sorkin’s best work is much easier than saying that it is Fincher’s as well. This is the man responsible for Fight Club, Seven and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button after all. What can be said is that Network stands proudly shoulder to shoulder alongside his other films.
Of the three lead actors; Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg, Andrew Garfield as co-founder of Facebook Eduardo Saverin and Justin Timberlake as Napster founder Sean Parker, there is really no stand out performance, each performance tremendous in its own right.
Eisenberg is best known for playing wimpy, geeks and on the surface he would seem to be the obvious choice to star as Zuckerberg, but the truth is Zuckerberg (as portrayed here) is hardly a dork and he is certainly not a pushover. Eisenberg interprets the character as a brilliant mind devoid of any semblance of emotion or social skills. It makes sense that someone so brilliant with computers would in reality be a cold robot cut off from any real human connection. Because he is such a social retard, it begs the question of whether Zuckerberg can be condemned for his actions of betrayal or whether he is simply a young man incapable of understanding the true value of loyalty. From my perspective, I think this man created Facebook (mostly on his own) and with the exception of stabbing his only real friend, Saverin, in the back, he really didn’t do anything all that wrong. Ultimately Zuckerberg claimed ownership of what was really his idea. Saverin was instrumental in his belief of Zuckerberg’s idea and getting the start up cash to start Facebook, and is deserving of whatever money he received after settlement, but I also get the sense that he was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin serves as the heart and soul of the film and he carries that weight impressively. Due to his delicate portrayal, Saverin comes off as loyal friend, victim and hero simultaneously. I have to admit that I was an Andrew Garfield virgin before this film and I can tell you that he is going to be perfect as a certain web-crawling superhero, so fanboys, take a deep breath and drop your pitchforks; Peter Parker is in good hands.
Although it is no longer a revelation that Justin Timberlake is a talented thespian, he still continues to amaze me with his seamlessly endless supply of talent. As Napster creator Sean Parker, Timberlake’s charisma flies off the screen and slaps you in the face. His Parker is abundantly charming, fun and dangerous all at the same time. He is a mesmerizing, snake oil salesman, who could sell honey to bees.
The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, but Rooney Mara (recently cast as the lead in the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) as Zuckerberg’s ex-girlfriend is a stand out here. Although the actress doesn’t get all that much screen time and truly only one big scene (the first of the film), there is electricity to her performance that demands your attention. Her verbal exchange with Eisenberg is sharp and compelling setting the tone for the entire film.
To sum it up, The Social Network is a genius film, based on a captivating true story and filled with a myriad of triumphant performances. Network will stay with you long after the theatre lights turn on and will certainly spark debate over who the real villain of the story is, but filled with as many shades of grey as real life, there probably is no firm black or white answer.