Prepared to be shocked

Rating: 9/10 (13 October 2014)

Quickie Review:
On the day of their anniversary Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports his wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) missing. Following her disappearance Nick is overwhelmed by the media circus and police dissecting every aspect of his marriage. As the lies are uncovered the spotlight grows brighter on Nick as the prime suspect for his wife's murder. Director David Fincher strikes again with yet another incredible movie to his already stellar filmography. Calling Gone Girl a murder-mystery is underselling it. This movie is a deep terrifying study into sociopaths, relationships, and strive for perfection, delivered in a slow yet engaging pace. While Ben Affleck is incredible, Rosamund Pike's performance will leave you speechless. I'd be shocked if this movie is not nominated for Oscars.
Full Review:
The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Fight Club are all movies that I love from David Fincher. So of course I was excited to see Gone Girl, and I left the movie in love once again. Although not the type of love portrayed in this film, that'd be crazy. I should mention that I never read the novel the movie is based on, so I won't be able to comment how well it was adapted.
You may notice that run-time of this film is almost 2hrs 30mins, so it is relatively long movie. Nevertheless I didn't want this movie to end, I wanted more. You are drawn in by every scene and that's testament to the slow burning pace that keeps on building momentum till the final crescendo. I'll admit that half way I needed to go to the toilet but I held back because I didn't want to miss a single thing. I'm glad I stayed because it felt like every scene was vital to moving the story along. In most murder-mystery thrillers, the big reveal is the highlight and everything after that has little intrigue. However, in this case even after the truth is revealed you are aching to know more, and that is where the movie becomes most interesting.
Ben Affleck was really great in his role. The nuances in his acting added to constant audience doubt and questioning of did he or did he not? Even rest of the supporting cast such as Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, surprised me with how different the roles they played were from what they are usually known for. But the absolute show stealer is Rosamund Pike. At first I wasn't too sure about her performance because it felt a little bit robotic, but as you come to understand her, you start to see Pike revealing all the layers of her character. I think there is not one person who wasn't stunned by her hauntingly beautiful performance. Once again I must say Oscar nominations are much deserved, especially in her case.
I would rave more about this movie but that would entail going to spoiler territory. All you need to know is that the acting, pacing, story, characters, everything about this movie is excellent. You will be thinking about Gone Girl for a few days after viewing it the first time. It will affect you.
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