Deeply Disturbing, Beautiful Masterpiece of a Thriller!

Rating: 10/10 (4 April 2015)

(DISCLAIMER - This review contains potential spoilers. However, if you've read the book or watched the movie, read on!)
David Fincher's GONE GIRL is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece!
The acting is superb. Ben Affleck plays Nick Dunne, the likable asshole so well, to the point where it made me uncomfortable to like him. His actions and reactions in the film are ingeniously timed, wonderfully realized, and real in every way. Rosamund Pike, however, is the true standout. She absolutely steals the show as Amy Dunne, the psychotic wife. Her portrayal of the sociopath is so cool, calm, and collected - it comes off as much more realistic when she does break down and go ballistic. Even when you know her motives, she keeps you guessing the WHOLE time. Desi Collings is creepily and wonderfully brought to life by Neil Patrick Harris. Carrie Coon is awesome as Margo Dunne, the unglued sister of Nick who has a front row seat to all the action. Tyler Perry is another hilarious standout performance as Tanner Bolt, defensive attorney for Nick. Also worth mentioning is a star performance by Kim Dickens as Detective Boney.
The movie is beautifully rendered on screen. The lighting, color palette, and cinematography are all wonderfully beautiful.
The screenplay, written by the author of the book upon which this movie is based, sizzles with wit, snappy dialogue, and narration that feels real and conversational.
The music is so perfect for the situations it's put in. One of the best uses is towards the end, when Amy seduces Desi into sex and then kills him. The music pulsates and pounds, and the whole time they have sex, you are totally on edge. However, when the deed is done, and she kills Desi and completes sex with him as he bleeds to death, the music crescendos and the terror is fresh. Even though you knew something was not right, the music prepared you for it and elevated the scene.
There is literally nothing they could have done better for this movie. It's dark and twisted, macabre and humorous, sexy and violent - everything a modern thriller should be.
10/10 - Would Highly Recommend