David O'ConnellThe Social Network
October 27th 2010 04:32
David Fincher’s finest film since Fight Club (1999) taps into the modern phenomenon of social networking via the internet whilst shining a light on the ambiguous backstory of one of its most frequented websites. Regardless of its lack of accuracy, The Social Network makes for gripping drama with its multi-layered assimilation of the controversial origins of Facebook and the legal battle to assert authorship of the its name and contents.
The story begins innocently enough at Harvard University in 2003 with student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) pouring his anger at being dumped by girlfriend Erica (Rooney Mara) into a hacking session that enables access to student photos from a host of other colleges. A beer-drinking game, 'Facemash', which sets opposing female portraits against one another, quickly spreads like wildfire through the Harvard network creating a storm before eventually crashing the system.
Zuckerberg’s notoriety on campus draws the attention of twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer) who think they’ve found the right man to flesh out their idea for a networking site they called ‘The Harvard Connection’. Zuckerberg agrees to assist in designing it but in the intervening weeks he begins to grasp the limitless potential of such a site. Instead of reporting back to the twins, he privately incorporates his own ideas into their framework with the financial backing of best friend Eduardo Severin (Andrew Garfield).
His site thefacebook becomes a sensation but beyond the wave of adulation, a storm of resentment is brewing as the twins realise the full implications of Zuckerberg’s theft. After relocating to Los Angeles, Eduardo too will fall victim to a terrible betrayal as Zuckerberg allows the influence of Napster creator Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) to intrude upon their friendship, pushing it to breaking point.
Based on a book by Ben Mezrich and adapted by famed TV scribe Aaron Sorkin, the film slickly navigates a course between its two time strands – the developments at Harvard and the legal proceedings that saw Zuckerberg and his former friends immersed in suits and countersuits claiming compensation for their neglected contributions to the birth of Facebook.
The real hero of The Social Network is undoubtedly Sorkin, whose dramatised dialogue zings with a level of crispness rarely heard in cinemaplexes these days. He would seem a lock to win an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay early next year. In effect Fincher may just be polishing up Sorkin’s immaculate contribution but his direction is deceptively good without ever drawing attention to itself with showy stylistics. The clever structure ensures a pace that rarely lags and with a flawless cast breathing potent life into every line, all the ingredients have come together to produce a perfect example of slick, commercial, yet thought-provoking entertainment.
As fascinating as the character of Zuckerberg is, he’s afforded little sympathy by Sorkin. From the start he’s portrayed as a detached, selfish geek consumed by lofty ambitions and petty jealousies - to the point of alienating and becoming oblivious to others. Eisenberg - taking his familiar screen persona to another level - is perfectly cast, offering a fascinating mixture of geeky obsession and subtle narcissism.
Saverin, who purportedly approached Mezrich with the idea for the book (some say as a means of initiating a character assassination of Zuckerberg) is portrayed as the conscientious one, the rational, business-minded individual whose notion of fairness was quickly undermined by the one-dimensionality of Zuckerberg’s quest and his integration of Parker’s morally dubious contributions to the site’s global expansion. Garfield’s turn is one with star-making potential attached to it, whilst even Timberlake is not out of place as the nauseatingly slick Parker.
This is one of the finest films of the year and one that will no doubt benefit from repeat viewings to appreciate its finely tuned subtleties. Fiercely intelligent, and brimming with insights into the most modern of social phenomena, The Social Network flirts with greatness. Only time will tell if it possesses true staying power, but at this exact moment in time its insights couldn’t be more compellingly pertinent.
The Social Network opens in Australia this Thursday, October 28.
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
It seems though that it's recieved nothing but praise, oh well, if you cant beat em join em, I look forward to seeing what all the fuss is about. I imagine I'll be blown away as I would rather, in theory, moe the lawn than watch a film about facebook.
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
The screenplay is as good as anything you'll see this year. Trust me on that.
Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
You touched on many of the films attractions. When it comes down to it for me the story was all about communication. face to face, business to bussiness, lawyer to lawyer etc the screenplay shines as a fish eye lens on modern human interaction and the nature of corporate manipulation.
Garfield was amazing and really dominates. I thought Timberlake was a weak link with his performance never exposing the Faustian qualities of his real life counterpart.
Will review this one soon on my site.