Trashy but expertly delivered (SPOILERS)

Rating: Null/10 (18 January 2015)

When this film came out there was a lot of very positive reviews on it, and I also was aware that it was based on a book (which I then saw lots of people reading). These factors plus the names involved brought me to the film expecting a very high-brow affair with lots of soul searching and seriousness. I was very surprised then to find that actually this was a much more trashy affair – a thriller asking a lot of suspension of belief but rewarding it with a twisty-turny plot and a good strong sense of urgency.
This latter quality is probably what makes it work so well, because it is a very well crafted film with a lot going on around the actual narrative. This is not to say that it needs it, because the central plot has plenty of forward motion to engage and intrigue. Fincher probably delivers it a little poe-faced for what it ultimately ends up being (the ending is enigmatic but seems a little out of place in terms of the 30 minutes prior to it) but it is hard not to like what he does with the material. The structure works very well, and there is a consistent cold atmosphere to it that sits well with moments of rage, spite, or out and out gore. There are interesting things here too; the media frenzy and involvement in everything is shown for what it is, warts and all, even though it is under control to not be more than a supporting thread. In terms of what it says about marriage, that we have basically got Fatal Attraction but from within rather than without, I'm not sure, and wasn't totally sure how comfortable I was with the way it worked that angle, but it did give me something more to mull.
The cast are mixed but mostly strong. Affleck is probably the least engaging because he plays his character well. Awkward, conflicted, out of his depth, he seems like a tall wet rag at times, which I guess in the point but it does mean he tends to be second fiddle to whomever he shares a scene with. Not so Pike; she is fantastic throughout her twisty character – convincing whether she is weeping, coldly destroying someone's life, or conducting terrible acts with a cold, distant look. In support Coon and Dickens are very good and drew me in with their characters. Perry was an odd but enjoyable find, while Harris was solid playing away from the material he is famous (again) for. Pyle was probably miscast as she was a bit heavy and obvious for the media role; meanwhile the cast throws up some other memorable appearances – I was surprised by Ratajkowski being actually pretty good since previously I, like most of the world, only know her for her comfort being naked for Robin Thicke.
In the end I am not sure it is as smart or worthy as the production itself suggests – with its cinematography, great score, big names, and overall presence; but it is still a very engaging and entertaining film with a twisty thriller plot, plenty of events, and lots that keeps the viewer on their toes.