Terrific and Thought Provoking

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2010)

With 10 films up for Best Picture these days I think it is a pretty safe bet that it will get a nod, but back in the days of 5 nominees I would really doubt it unless the winter crop of Oscar Contenders is a big disappointment. Personally the only two films that I have seen this year that I enjoyed more were Inception and Animal Kingdom ( I have not yet seen the Town.), but as I said before I expect to see several more terrific films during the next 4 months.
I am not a huge Fincher fan. I have liked every single one of his films. I have loved none of them. This is now my favorite Fincher film. Since Zodiac he has really made fantastic looking films, and this continues that trend. Panic Room was my favorite film of his prior to this, though I am sure I am in a minority there.
Eisenberg should really got nominated. I haven't a clue if he can win, but he was brilliant. Every little nuanced scene he shined in. I really believed his character. It truly is his film.
I would like to see Andrew Garfield nominated for Best Supporting Actor as well. He is one of those guys that I know that I have seen in a few things to date, but I have never found him memorable. However; he does a wonderful job here and this should give his career a big boost.
I have always been surprised at how solid Justin Timberlake has been in his films to date, and he does a great job here too. Not as strong as either Garfield or Eisenberg though.
The screenplay by Sorkin was rock solid and will certainly get a nomination. You have to wonder how a story about Facebook is going to translate to the screen. The answer with all the talent involved is brilliantly.
The movie opens a sort of Tarantino type restaurant scene with Eisenberg and a girlfriend, prior to the credits. It sets the tone for the Zuckenberg character and lets the audience know that they are in for a fascinating ride.
One of the great successes of the film is to cause one to ponder just what an impact social networking has had on our society. It really has changed the way people interact with one another. And it is subtle but powerful. In my opinion as a man who lived through the last cultural upheaval (Hippies and Vietnam), this is not for the better.
One last thing I must mention. There are a very important set of twins in the story, and I thought these guys are really good. I wonder what else they have done. I was totally blown away when I found out that the two guys who played the twins are not even related in real life. I mean they looked exactly alike.
A lot of humor and a fascinating story. I love a good character study and this was certainly rock solid in that category.