A semi-accurate history, but a transcendent movie

Rating: 9/10 (31 May 2020)

When I first saw this film in 2010, I definitely recognized Sorkin's brilliance and Fincher's craftsmanship (always)...but I kept getting distracted by accuracy questions. Why did they change Zuckerberg from socially awkward to the most confident and eloquent nerd ever? Why did they leave out his then-girlfriend and now-wife? How much of this story was true? Revisiting the movie in 2020 was very different (and not just because Zuckerberg feels more and more like Eisenberg these days). I was able to just watch it as a movie. This film tells a company's origin story through depositions and flashbacks. That should not work. But it does. From Resnor's score ramping up the intensity to the brilliant pacing/cuts to the pitch perfect performances of Sorkin's dialogue, this story just cooks. No matter where you come in, you HAVE to keep watching. And for once Sorkin's resists explaining his theme through speeches over and over. You just see the way connection and isolation coexist, for the main character and honestly for yourself. It is all pretty brilliant, and it was worth a second watch, for sure. Is it accurate? Somewhat. Is it a great film? One hundred percent.