Changing Perceptions

Rating: 7/10 (19 October 2014)

+Clear, crisp cinematography +Beautiful score +Engaging Story -Unacknowledged plot holes -Questionable ending
If you are familiar with David Fincher's work, you are well aware that his films can be dark, seducing, and engaging. Gone Girl is no exception. Similar to Fincher's previous films such as Zodiac and Seven, there are twists and turns all around the bend with this one. It is only lackluster in some areas of the film that (while I am not spoiling here) the movie itself appeared to ignore. Mostly what I suggest is contained in the final hour of this film. It is as if the movie only ignored these more than likely probabilities when a certain character took serious action.
DELIVERY: Fincher yet again pulls his audience in with a beautiful score of ambiance by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It fits the storytelling style of cinema better than ever. Every shot in this movie looks smooth which gives a clear delivery to the viewer of the modern day dilemma Affleck faces in this more than bizarre crisis. All of the acting feels spot on. Rosamund Pike gives a standout performance.
STORY: The two and a half hour run time might feel like a push for this story in particular, but it feels necessary due to its story arch. While it is difficult for me to describe the specifics of this story without giving out spoilers, it uses a flashback system for basically the first half of this film. This film benefits so much from this story because the perceptions viewers have on the characters. I have never felt my opinions and anticipations change so quickly in a film. While it is on the longer side, the conflict of the film changes so instantly. It is almost unbelievable. In fact at some points, it is unbelievable. While this is a fantasy story and a situation of this magnitude has never occurred in today's society, some events that take place might pull the viewer out of the story and think "How could the film possibly ignore this?" It basically leaves these problems behind and transitions to another issue before you can blink.
ENDING(NO SPOILERS): The ending of this film may make happy ending lovers walk out empty handed. Fincher is known for not tying a happy bow on the end of his films (for the most part), and Gone Girl has probably become the best example of his films to date in this department. Not many times does a movie watcher question the protagonist's actions at the end of the film, and this movie really makes me question Affleck's logic before the credits.