"Like"

Rating: 9/10 (19 October 2010)

I saw this much-buzzed film in an advanced screening yesterday, and I must say it lives up to its hype. I was really doubtful how anyone could charge up a story about such sedate topics as computer and business, and create a generally engaging movie. However, watching "The Social Network" dispels those doubts.
This movie shows us how the Facebook came to life. It seems that hell hath no fury like a computer geek scorned. From that one night when Mark Zuckerberg was rejected by Erica Albright, events were set into motion that led to the creation of an internet phenomenon. The subsequent events involving friendship, inspiration, back-stabbing, and double-cross that drives this story forward. It is said that the story was derived from court documents. Zuckerberg himself denies the story happened exactly that way. We will never really know how much of this is false testimony or dramatic license.
The lead actor Jesse Eisenberg perfectly plays the flawed protagonist Mark, who was so self-absorbed that you'd hate him, yet still admire him for his talent and drive. Justin Timberlake plays Napster founder Sean Parker, who was instrumental to push Facebook into the big time. This character was written to be so annoying, and Justin succeeds to annoy. On the other side, Andrew Garfield sympathetically plays Edward Saverin, Mark's only friend and financier in Harvard, and alleged "victim" of Facebook's rise into the financial stratosphere. Comic relief was provided by the "Winklevii" twins, who turned out was just portrayed by only one actor, Armie Hammer. Good camera trickery there. Also, you will be surprised by what the foxy Brenda Song (ex-Disney's Wendy Wu) will do here.
However, as a movie, "The Social Network" works. The script of Aaron Sorkin (best known for writing "The West Wing") is very rich and witty. The direction of acclaimed director David Fincher was sure and precise, following the tradition of his previous films like "Se7en" and "Zodiac." Yes, this is a movie with a lot of talk, but the pace, cinematography, and editing were all on point. It was not boring at all, as the atmosphere is kept interesting and tense despite the techno-babble and legalese. If this movie were a Facebook page, I would click "LIKE".