Doesn't do the story justice

Rating: 7/10 (11 June 2017)

I immediately watched Gone Girl after finishing the audio book, which I loved. The characters were so well developed and the plot left you guessing after every chapter. The book has so many scenes that bring the story to life so well. Unfortunately the film is severely lacking the life and energy of the book.
The story moves very quickly and doesn't give any time to flesh out the very important plot points that the book establishes so well. As a reader you are hooked on the storytelling of Gone Girl and it pulls you in so well that you feel like your part of the story but when watching the movie you feel like an outsider.
One of my biggest issues was the lack of Nicks father in the movie. The book uses him much more heavily and gives Nick so many more layers that make you care about him as a character, the movie doesn't even bring up his relationship with his father.
I did find Rosamund Pike's performance as sadistic wife Amy to be fantastic. Just like the book you meet 2 different Amy's. You see diary Amy and crazy Amy. Pike does both characters so well and makes them both so hauntingly believable. I also found Lola Kirke's performance as Greta to be outstanding as well. Both women feel like they are brought straight from the pages and onto the screen, which is what I was looking for.
Overall I think Gone Girl is a fine movie that is very well directed and showcases a near perfect performance from Rosamund Pike but I don't think it is the best way to experience a story as good as this. I recommend the book.