A film which superbly defines our generation today while also telling a great origin story.

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2010)

Sometimes you can tell whether or not you're watching a good film by either looking at your watch and wondering whether or not the film is going to end soon. "The Social Network" is a brilliant film, because I didn't check my watch, not even once, nor did I ponder about when the film was going to end because it was so good I didn't want it to end.
Many people had doubts about this film before its release. A movie about the origins of Facebook, the social networking site. Eyes were rolled, undoubtedly. Then, as soon as acclaimed filmmaker David Fincher and equally acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin became attached to the project, suddenly the buzz was about. Needless to say, the film blew away my expectations.
I can honestly say that this has got to be the best acting ensemble I've see all year. Jesse Eisenberg is just astounding as Mark Zuckerberg, the arrogant, frank, calculative, and very sarcastic but non-the-less super- smart protagonist. The character is written in a way that it doesn't resemble the cliché Hollywood nerd hero - Zuckerberg in this movie is a cold, manipulative jerk in some moments of the film. But, like all humans, he is flawed - he has a personality, and Eisenberg portrays that flawed side of him with confidence and with a huge dose of wit to boot. Andrew Garfield also gives a nuanced performance as Zuckerberg's (ex) best friend Eduardo Saverin, whose performance ranges from cocky to quiet/calm and finally, outrage. The Winklevoss twins are played to cocky perfection by Armie Hammer, a feat considering it's one actor playing two characters, and he does a fantastic job at both of the characters' various degrees. The rest of the youthful cast all deserve praise - Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella, Brenda Song and Rooney Mara... Heck Eisenberg and Garfield should definitely get Oscar nominations at the very least for their performances, and the entire cast - among the finest of young acting talent today - deserves a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The screenplay - another aspect of the film which I love - is filled to the brim with fantastic dialog and with great coherence to boot. Every line feels natural, the actors that speak them breathe life and fresh air into them, and it pulls you even further into this story which is already being done justice by the acting. Sorkin gives solid footing and strength to the story, and the dialog just dances around naturally around the audience for them to savor every moment that is shown to them - similar to Quentin Tarantino movies. Sorkin deserves another Oscar nomination because he manages to turn a potentially uninteresting and boring premise into one of the most gripping, exhilarating and powerful screenplays of the last decade. I'm not joking. You are pulled into this breakneck world of Zuckerberg and you either enjoy or hate the ride that Sorkin has written out for us. Either way, it's a hell of an experience.
Which comes to the question - does David Fincher deserve another Oscar nomination for this film? Undeniably. It is under his superb direction that the actors bring their best to their roles and the screenplay given such life. Not once did the film feel contrived or clichéd - even though it's a true story and we expect it to be. We are curious to know what happens next - this is the beauty of Fincher's craft. Amidst the factors mentioned above as well as the glossy production design, the simple yet beautiful cinematography and the slick and very coherent editing, Fincher's direction brings this all together under his brilliant supervision. This is the work of a master film director at his best, and truly his best film since "Se7en" and "Fight Club" more than a decade ago. That's saying something.
On an extra note the electronic music score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is just outstanding and brilliant; it perfectly suits the situations, atmosphere, and era of the film, and should hearken yet another Oscar nomination - the first of its kind.
Many of us are Facebook users. Fact. We use it for all kinds of social activities - making new friends, letting people know what you're up to, getting people to know you more, and so on. "The Social Network" is an outstanding film which explores the origins of this phenomenon, where our protagonist is not an easy character to like, moreover he is overcome with friendship, lies and betrayal just to get this site up and running. We all may had our drama, but mostly nothing compared to what Zuckerberg had to face during the entire ordeal. The film begins loudly, progresses at a breakneck pace, and ends quite solemnly, and we all feel for him. You'll never look at Facebook the same way again after watching this film. Since most of us are all obsessed with this social networking and blogging trend, it comes to no surprise that this is the film that defines our generation today, and it does so with gracefulness and power.
So far this is my pick for the best film of 2010. And "Inception" was damn good, too.
Overall rating: 94/100