"You ever hear the expression the simplest answer is often the correct one? " "Actually, I have never found that to be true."

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2014)

Gone Girl has been one of the most anticipated films of the year and it surely did not disappoint. Gone Girl's director ,David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en, The Social Network), delivers another slick, powerhouse mystery-thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from the word 'GO!' Gillian Flynn, author of the best-selling novel, gives an impressive screenplay debut that stays true to it's original source. If you have read the book I'm sure you'll love the film, if you haven't read the book then you're in for a treat.
The film follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), after his beautiful wife, Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) disappears on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary. Over the course of the next few days, Nick's strange behaviour and evidence gathered leads the nation to ask the gruesome question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?
This may sound like a typical mystery film. Right? But think again, this film has more twists and turns than a roller-coaster at Thorpe Park. Although the film focuses on the disappearance of "Amazing Amy", we soon learn about the relationship between Nick and Amy, from the day they met to the day she disappears. Their relationship, up to Amy's disappearance, echoes some relationships across the world and is one that people may relate to.I couldn't help but feel like it was a satire of married couples. I was not expecting this film to be so darkly comical. I found myself and the rest of the audience laughing out loud at a couple of scenes. These comical moments often appear in scenes that we should be feeling remorse,sympathy or frightful. There were also scenes that were purely dark and horrifying. There is one scene, in particular,that may be the most disturbing, scariest movie scenes that I've seen,that tops any horror film for it's thrills and fright.
All the acting was great in the film and I couldn't think of a better cast. Ben Affleck, often put down for his acting skills, is brilliant as Nick Dunne. Affleck is one of the best actors to play Nick,a man who is unsympathetic, blank faced and someone who the audience isn't sure whether they like or not. Rosamund Pike, in her break-through role, is amazing as 'Amazing Amy'. Look out for these two actors at the Oscars next year. The supporting actors were also very good with a lot of lesser known actors involved. It was strange to see Neil Patrick Harris, who's character is Desi Collings, play such a serious, sinister role compared with Barney in How I Met You're Mother. Carrie Coon, who plays Nick Dunne's twin sister Margo, was also exceptionally good and is someone who I'm sure we'll see on our screens again.
Fincher has fantastically directed this masterpiece that shakes us to our very core. Fincher's precision and visual style comes across throughout the film and I couldn't think of anyone better to direct Gone Girl. This precision is a necessity for this film as it's complexity is made easy for the audience to understand. The dark, eerie cinematography is slick and stylish and plays off of the film's dark nature. The screenplay is also wonderfully written and shows us that Gillian Flynn is not only a great author but also a great screenwriter.
I'm sure that Gone Girl will be a big contender at the next Academy Awards. I honestly think this is one of the best films I've seen in a long time and I highly recommend it to anyone. I especially recommend it to David Fincher fans, fans of the book and anyone who loves a good thriller. Gone Girl will leave you stunned and silenced!