A Social Event

Rating: 10/10 (18 October 2010)

I first learned of Jesse Eisenberg watching "The Squid and the Whale" a few years ago, and it wasn't just the movie that blew me away but the sheer screen-presence of this self-assured young actor. Since then he dazzled me in - among other films - "The Education of Charlie Banks," "Adventureland," "Zombieland," and he was a welcome participant in minor projects like "Cursed" and "The Hunting Party." All that said, his depiction of Mark Zuckerberg, the socially awkward computer genius who created guess-what internet behemoth, is simply incredible, and I am thinking Oscar nomination which, of course, will not happen since Mr. Eisenberg hasn't even reached 30 yet and, hopefully, has a long and prosperous career still in front of him. But wait, there's more. Andrew Garfield is impressive as Eduardo Saverin, dodging the clichés of a role that could have easily drifted into self-pity. Justin Timberlake shamelessly steals every scene he's in, and hats off to Armie Hammer who plays both Cameron Winklevoss and his twin brother Tyler with natural ease which is no small feat considering he had to play off himself. I have no idea how David Fincher did it, all I can tell you is I didn't waste a single thought whether there was one or two actors in front of the camera. Which brings me to the main masterminds: Fincher and wordsmith extra-ordinaire Aaron Sorkin. The big question was after "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is there any way Fincher can top this? Well, there isn't but, together with Sorkin who - at his core - is a playwrite, he was able to maintain the high level of quality entertainment you've come to expect from this director. I don't give a damn how much of the story is fiction or how little of it is fact - all I know is this two hours+ movie went by in a blink without a single dull moment, and that might as well be the biggest compliment I can pay a film in general and "The Social Network" in particular.