A thrilling satire, yet nothing special from the Master of Dark Thrillers

Rating: 10/10 (15 October 2014)

For a start 9/10 is generous, this movie is worth perhaps a 7.5/10. Let me state for the record i have read the book and seen the movie a record 3 times and while it is the most exciting movie of the year thus far, and the most thrilling by far, It is not without its unfair share of pitfalls.
First of all besides good performances from all actors and actresses (the standout being Tyler Perry and Carrie Coon) who are able to remain subtle and convincing unlike our main actor/actress (Affleck, Pike), and as well as good direction (expect no less from a pro), this movie falls entirely apart due to the script. A wise man once told me, a good story told bad can still be a good film. But a good story told terribly will be a bad film. This movie walks the fine line between the two. It makes promises but does not come through with them at pay off stages and the result is you are ultimately left with a sense of inertia, disappointment and annoyance.
Dialogue: Gillian Flynn, who penned the script, is no Joel Coen, is no Tarantino, is no Raymond Chandler, and yet there's something about this fact that hardly matters. In trying to describe how very awful some of the dialogue is look to some of the TV shows on ABC and CBS for an idea. However, it is clear to see she has tried very hard, but in trying so hard falls terribly short of terrible. Cliché-ridden, many of the lines descend into eye-rollable territory and many lines will leave watcher's feeling embarrassed, uncomfortable for said writer.
All in all, a decent movie, and it is clear Ms Flynn was going for unpredictability rather than plausibility of narrative. I watch movies for entertainment and this certainly entertained, however i couldn't help but feel slightly letdown by the Master of Dark Thrillers.