Strikingly, Electrically Modern- Fincher's Best

Rating: 10/10 (12 November 2015)

I love David Fincher. I love his style, his cinematic poise; and, above all, what he represents. He is the walking, talking counterpoint to anyone who says film was better 'back in the day.' He uses modern sensibilities and techniques to tell modern stories.
Okay. Author interruption over. I'm not here to talk about what Fincher represents. I'm here to talk about what I believe to be the crowning film in his multi-jeweled golden crown. This film, The Social Network, is about one of the defining men of the twenty-first century, Mark Zuckerberg. It is not a straight historical retelling, of which I am mercifully glad. If the so-called historical purists had their way, this film would a snore. There are some people whose factual life stories make for good film; the subject of my last review, General George S. Patton, is one of them.
Mark Zuckerberg is not. Other than the fact that he founded a multi billion-dollar company, his life would hardly make for a better story than would mine. Granted, that is a big 'other', but still; he does not have grand tales of drama and adventure. This is not helped by the fact that he is, at the time of this piece's writing (Nov 11, 2015- Veterans Day), only 31. None of this is a knock on the man who I believe to be the living, breathing representation of why, despite it's many, many faults, I love the country that I live in. He is, in fact, an idol of mine. But his life still would not make an interesting movie told straight-up.
That's where Fincher comes in. Okay, not just Fincher; the film's writer, one Aaron Sorkin, deserves a lot of the credit too. As does Jesse Eisenburg, the actor who plays Zuck; despite looking nothing like the billionaire, he is convincing and emotive and a strong conduit; if he was bad, this film would not work. But he is, and it does.
As a self-proclaimed expert on titles, I can say that this film has a good one. Consider that they could have easily just named it 'Zuck' or 'Zuckerberg' or 'Mark Zuckerberg' or 'Facebook' or another one of the standard biopic titles, and did not; something that fits the fact that this film is decidedly not a straight biopic, as I have repeatedly mentioned. But it didn't just avoid being standard; it was great; again, like the movie.
The title of the book that this film was based on was 'The Accidental Billionaires.' I'm not going to pretend that's not a good a title; it is. It shows how success just rushed up on these guys like a rushing tsunami, leaving them to deal with the consequences. But the film is titled better, tackling a larger scope. I can't go two feet or two seconds nowadays without hearing the words 'Social Network' or 'Social Media' or something of that sort. But Facebook isn't just 'a social network'. It is 'The Social Network.' Everyone who came after Zuck has been living in his shadow, and perhaps they always will. He pushed the world onward like few others of the past few decades, and the title reflects that.
Many people (well, some; this movie does have a ninety-six percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and will be on many best of the decade lists) have a problem with what they consider to be simple characterization of Zuckerberg. I would not quite say that this is a nothing complaint, but I do think that it was expanded greatly by people just seeing what they want to see. Zuckerberg has built with his hands and mouse one of the largest and most successful startups ever; I think he has a right to be a little defensive and aggressive. I know I would be. No, the real Zuckerberg is probably not like this. And if you're in the wrong mood, it could get a bit on one's nerves. But I think this is a primary case of people not checking their personal moralities and beliefs at the door and embracing the art, as you should every time you're watching a good movie. Remember this point; I will bring it up again when I review Amelie.
Anyway, the soundtrack is subtle, the visual style captures the tone and subject matter of the film perfectly, and the script is tight enough. The dialogue is sharp and on point because of course it is, it's a Sorkin film. There are a lot of blues in the film, making it look visually striking. But even if you don't prefer style over substance like I do, don't worry. There is enough in the film for you too. it has a certain way of blowing you away while keeping your feet on the ground.
The narrative arc for this film is incredible. You feel every high and every low, and at the end, you are right there with Zuckerberg, wondering how it has all come to this. It is an introspective and contemplative film, one that evokes on an artistic level, a philosophical level, and an entertainment level. Inception may be my favorite film of this decade, but if there is one that I believe to be indicative of everything worthwhile from it... this movie would be right up there in consideration. Go see it if you haven't.
(P.S. The biggest surprise for me when watching this was how good JT was. He is a good actor when cast properly.) (P.P.S. In case you're wondering, yes, I do believe this film was screwed out of Best Picture because Oscar voters are a bunch of old white men who probably have no clue what a 'face-book' is.)