One of the most Earth shatteringly amazing films in recent years

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2015)

This movie has stuck with me since I saw it opening weekend, as I'm sure it will for many of it's viewers. David Fincher is someone I've come to admire as a filmmaker with his movies like Se7en and Social Network, so I obviously was interested in seeing this especially after watching the first trailer. Fincher and his marketing campaign made a smart move in not showing any big plot points in the trailers, yet managed to keep you intrigued. Not something you see a lot of these days in movie trailers.
Since this is a spoiler free review, I won't go into too much of the details, but this is probably the best performance I've seen from Rosamund Pike, and the same for Ben Affleck. I first noticed Pike in movies like Jack Reacher and the World's End and now I have a lot more respect for her as an actress. Ben Affleck I've always liked as an actor before even in his directorial efforts, and this I'd say is one of his best performances. Tyler Perry, who I've felt indifferent towards really impressed me here as the lawyer who helps Ben Affleck's character face the accusations against him. Neil Patrick Harris on the other hand made me feel uncomfortable, in the wrong way. Nothing against the guy though, but I don't think he was the right choice for the character he played.
Gone Girl does an excellent job of showing you how a person's life can crumble to the ground based on a few lies the Media throws around just to bump up the viewership ratings, and how a lot of us tend to believe everything that comes out a reporter's mouth without considering that they're might be more underneath the surface than what they're showing you. It also stands as a harsh and cynical commentary on marriage and how it falls apart based on how you treat your spouse, and (without giving anything away) the marriage portrayal in this film makes me never want to get married or have a relationship.
Put this in the hands of a lesser filmmaker, Gone Girl wouldn't be getting the response it's gotten. It's pretty clear that Fincher is sitting behind the camera with his bleak tone, dark color palette and how pessimistic everyone feels about life in general. Combine Fincher's direction with the screenplay by Gillian Flynn, the author of the book of the same name there are so many twists and turns that suck you right in trying to figure out what happens next, and has one of the most shocking scenes that'll blow your mind.
Gone Girl is a film that people will remember for a long time myself included, and I'm willing to call it one of the best of 2014. I look forward to whatever David Fincher does in the future.