The Social Network

Rating: Null/10 (26 February 2011)

It's strive for perfection is as poetically determined in the very image of Jesse Eisenberg's methodical performance as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, making this film one of Fincher's greatest works of art. The director of memorable classics like "Fight Club", "Seven", and my personal favorite "Zodiac" has done it once more. Today Facebook's expansion has long exceeded that of its 1 million member rate, and into a 500 million member rate, entailing both the financial, and critical success of Zuckerberg's many risks and sacrifices. Eisenberg's portrayal of the renowned computer genius brings questionable aspects to the very motives of Zuckerberg's actions towards this project. From the moment the film starts, and the very second we hear Zuckerberg talking a mile a minute, moments before and during the creation of Facemash.com, we see not only a bright genius with a superiority complex, but we see someone who has high aspirations of his potential. He is portrayed as a person incapable of intentionally hurting others, despite the negative effect his own actions towards his aspiration of creating a network that has influenced such widespread social activity. His goal towards the development, as well as the very enhancement of Facebook had its rewards in the many investors, as well the representative corporate offices, as a result of his associations with the slick witted, but notorious opportunist Sean Parker (Timberlake), the co founder of Napster. However like all rewards, there is always a price, or a difficult decision to be made in order for those rewards to be fully realized. In Mark's case, despite the friendship, and more than financially loyal cooperation of the Facebook co founder Eduardo Saverin, Mark's own bitterness, as well as his ideals towards the very potential of Facebook drive him to strip all of his friend's efforts of truly calling his contributions to this project memorable, and worth 34.4% of entitlement. Director David Fincher has tackled a very popular, but seemingly complicated issue. Today, Facebook among its many users is an addictive sensation of internet socialization. It is a website allowing each individual to create their own profile, as well as giving them the freedom to meet up and converse with not only their friends, but with people they've never even met, and probably will never come face to face with. When approached with the ideological concept of such a site, at the request of the Winklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron (both Hammer), it was to be exclusive, and only accessible to the students of Harvard University. Their trust, as well their overall lack of involvement in the development of Facebook angered them into suing the declared nerd, just because they gave him the idea, when clearly it was his own efforts and general disgust for exclusivity that generated the overall popularity and constant expansion. Eduardo's reason for legal action against a former friend seemed more rational, and less selfish. The critical point of "The Social Network" that Fincher hopes to reveal to viewers is the very true aspect of the development of one of America's most popular social sites had on its creator. Zuckerberg's initial goal of launching Facebook may have brought him great wealth, as well as a great sense of substantial recognition for his work, which he obviously expressed a want for in the beginning of the film, but it also created this obsession so detrimental to him that in the end his own nature to remain intellectually superior cost him a good friend, while bringing forth more and more enemies to the subject. Many Facebook users will no doubt enjoy the film, mainly because it brings them to the roots of one of society's most popular websites, but they will also enjoy the surprising authenticity of Eisenberg's portrayal of the gifted Harvard dropout. Seriously, the dialogue, the interpretations he makes, and even several of his physical mannerisms remind all of us viewers of that very image of the typical super nerd. They talk like robots, using a professional manner of speaking, and using their own intelligence as part of their condescension. "The Social Network" focuses on the concept of obsession and even addiction, which of course is the critical factor most Facebook users have when Facebooking one another in most cases. In Zuckerberg's case, his obsession was generated into the very development of the site itself rather than the actual experience most members adore, and constantly browse. I can say this film is mostly accurate, considering the fact that Fincher used additional fictional inspiration for the creation of Facebook, other than Marks general desire to expand the social capabilities most people enjoy expressing. When watching a film as organized, cryptic, and arranged in a shifting pattern of direction, from the current legal battles and back to the development of the site, I think to myself how interesting it would be to fully explore issues that may seem simple and enjoyable to others, but in reality they contain their own complications, and their own seemingly dark aspects of its ending result. Once again David Fincher, has given audiences a deep look into a world where the characters he brings to the table show every positive, negative, and relatable qualities possible. "The Social Network" is a network of theatrical success.