Fincher and Co. deliver once again...Brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (6 October 2014)

Bringing Gone Girl to the big screen is a balancing act that only David Fincher could handle. Those familiar with the book, which starts out as a portrait of a seemingly perfect marriage and quickly turns into a literary trip down the Autobahn, will not be disappointed. Fincher, working from a script adapted by Gillian Flynn, weaves through every twist and turn with ease, helped along the way by a beautiful, yet subtle score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The end result, a two and a half hour ticking time bomb dropped in your lap that you can't wait to explode. Once again, Fincher delivers a dark, twisted vision that is a perfect mix of all of his films, rolled tightly into one violent little package.
Gone Girl is the story of a decaying marriage, told through flashbacks, diary entries and interrogation rooms, where nothing is what it seems. Fincher, one of the most meticulous directors around, perfectly carves out each act like an ice sculpture, and then runs a chainsaw right through the center when you least expect it. Even reading the book and knowing what happens, I still sat there in shock at those "holy sh*t" moments. I can only imagine how it feels to see these scenes unravel for the first time.
The "Benaissance" is in full swing with Affleck as Nick Dunne, a role that no other actor in Hollywood could've done better. The entire casting is perfect, and it almost seems like Gillian Flynn wrote the book with these actors in mind. Nick's twin sister, Margo Dunne, is played by the Leftover's Carrie Coon, who continues her red hot year. Tyler Perry as hot shot lawyer Tanner Bolt was my only question mark going in, but he shut me right up. Neil Patrick Harris is as creepy as ever as Desi Collings, and even the underrated Scoot Mcnairy shines in his single scene as a boyfriend from Amy's past. But without question, the true star of this movie is Rosamund Pike, who is nothing short of "amazing", as Amy Elliot-Dunne. Amy is a) the titular character from a series of successful children's books, b) the loving, "cool girl" wife, c) a crazy bitch, or d) all, and none, of the above? Either way, she absolutely shines, especially in the major moments of the second and third acts.
Gone Girl paces itself brilliantly, and the way Fincher and Co. depict the twists is a thing of beauty. Everyone involved with this movie seems like a lock come award season, although the subject matter might be a bit much for some voters. Regardless, this is easily one of the best movies of the year so far, and it's sure to stick with you for days after viewing it. Gone Girl fires on all cylinders, even though it has one of the more depressing endings in recent memory. Just like anything Fincher touches, this is a must see, and in my opinion, it very well might be his best work to date.
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