Deliciously Disconcerting

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2016)

4.5 Stars out of 5 David Fincher is the only director for the kind of story. If anyone else had directed this, it wouldn't have been half as good.
Like all Fincher movies, it's complex, adult, disturbing, mid-budget, and buzzy. It's got the cold colors, the nihilism, and the passionate acting one would expect. It's about a man, played by Affleck, accused of killing his wife, played by Rosamund Pike, a crime which we know from the start of the film he did not commit. In a normal film, if we know someone didn't commit a crime, it makes the film less interesting. Not here. This film isn't about murder, not really.
What is it about? Marriage, mostly. Most every theme in the film, from deception to betrayal to compromise, can be considered to be a part of one big social commentary on marriage, particularly modern marriage. Of course, it's deeper and more complex than that, and there are many different angles to discuss, but this a review, not a reaction piece titled 'What Gone Girl Says About Marriage in America' or something like that.
Like a lot of Fincher movies, it's very narrative and very talky. It doesn't help that the author of the book wrote the screenplay. That's not a complaint, mind you: just an observation. There are a couple scenes I wish had more time to breathe, but the mood Fincher's able to project more than makes up for it. It's not really different from a normal Fincher film in that regard.
As it's so narrative, I won't spoil any more plot details, but I will say the plot is very juicy and very worth digging into. Everyone delivers virtuoso performances. Probably my least favorite performance of the film comes from Affleck, though I will admit that his underacting is a conscious choice and part of the character he's playing. The most surprising performance comes from Tyler Perry, who does a bang-up job as Affleck's defense attorney. I wanted to see more of his character. I would watch a full movie centered around his character.
I'm not sure whether Fincher comes off as a cold director because of the films he picks, or if he picks his films based around the knowledge that he's a cold director. Either way, he's extremely good at making the audience feel full but unsatisfied. Of course, one of his movies was based off the Zodiac killer, who was never found (unless he's really Ted Cruz), so that's sort of a prerequisite. You never feel cheated, but you never feel like you get the ending you wanted either.
The media factors into the film. It's made clear that our protagonist is receiving few favors from any outlet, but thanks to the Law of Conservation of Detail, special attention is given to one show run by one horrible blonde lady.
Even if we didn't know that he didn't do it, that show would still make me sick to by stomach. It's like the unholy lovechild of Lifetime and Fox News. Media manipulation has always fascinated me, so I'm glad they included this. I actually hate the media in this film more than I hate any of the mains, and one of them's a psychopath.
If you took The Hunger Games, took out the Hunger Games (the event), and had someone with a cynical worldview write it, the result would look something like this.
When all the Oscar-bait and empty summer blockbusters are busy being forgotten, movies like this cement themselves further into the public consciousness. You can't forget them. They're unique and artful and chilling. They stick with you,
Sharp, well-paced, cruel, twisted, stylish, delightful, and poignant, this is one of the best films of 2014. Give it a watch.