Tags
2010's, Ben Affleck, Carrie Coon, David Fincher, Gone Girl, Kim Dickens, Mystery, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit, Rosamund Pike, Thriller, Tyler Perry
Film Title
Gone Girl
Director
David Fincher
Starring
- Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne
- Rosamund Pike as Amy Elliott-Dunne
- Carrie Coon as Margo Dunne
- Tyler Perry as Tanner Bolt
- Neil Patrick Harris as Desi Collings
- Kim Dickens as Detective Rhonda Boney
- Patrick Fugit as Officer James Gilpin
Based on the addictive novel by Gillian Flynn(who also wrote this screenplay), Gone Girl, under the calculating and precise direction of the excellent David Fincher springs to unnerving life as a mystery of perceptions plays out in dark and surprising fashion.
Nick Dunne, a former writer who was laid off in the recession, comes home on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary after a drink with his sister Margo, to discover that his beautiful wife Amy is missing. There appears to have been a struggle as the living room is in disarray, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The case of Amy’s disappearance captures the public’s imagination as she is the basis behind a highly successful book series created by her parents, entitled Amazing Amy. Yet this case of Amy’s vanishing is not going to be a cut and dry case like everyone first thought. Nick’s behaviour, which seems somewhat apathetic and shifty, is interpreted by the media in a negative light and the finger of suspicion points his way due to his seeming lack of empathy or care. Other things don’t add up like a large pool of blood that someone mopped up and the detectives, Rhonda Boney and her partner James Gilpin, become suspicious of Nick’s actions. Most damning of all is the fact that Amy’s life insurance was bumped up significantly just before her vanishing and the biggest shock is a diary of Amy’s is discovered with ominous writing. It slowly comes to light that behind the seemingly happy marriage lay resentment and angst for both Nick and Amy. Soon Nick is in hot water as people turn on him and the voracious media descends on him, who speculate that he was behind his wife’s disappearance and possible murder. But just what has happened to Amy? To tell you all that would spoil the shocking surprise, so you better get watching to find out.
David Fincher is one of my favourite working directors. He has this innate ability to infuse his movies with a clinical and detailed view that engages the brain and keeps you on edge. Those skills are exhibited in Gone Girl to a high degree, as he directs with a scalpel like dedication to the material that busts apart the supposedly idyllic nature of marriage to expose something rotten. His fingerprints are all over this film and his attention to the little things that people may think of as just innocuous, stands this film in good stead as nothing is as it seems. Gillian Flynn adapts from her own book and I found this to be a very good string in Gone Girl’s bow, as we are getting the author’s seal of approval and her vision brought to the screen. Having read the book, I can say that the movie is very faithful to the source, with only the slightest changes here and there for good measure. Flynn does a golden job of the script that pulls into question with some dark humour the way that the media jumps on things and can easily make villains and victims with just a few choice words. Gone Girl is one of those movies that is hard to talk about as so much of it hangs on the mystery of everything, but I’ll do the best I can to describe my feelings and promise there will be no spoilers. All I’ll really say is that Gone Girl emerges as a twisted and compulsive film in which so much of it challenges our views of what we see and how there is not always a simple answer to everything( very much so in this dark exercise in tension and mounting curiosity). The visual essence of the film adds another thing to gild an already impressive lily, with the muted blues and burnt golds playing a key part in setting the mood of the film and sustaining a great deal of uncertainty that Nick( and the audience) finds themselves in. A throbbing, electronic score captures the growing surprises of the narrative of which there are a good many and really sets the dark and ghoulish mood of Gone Girl. Even when we get flashes of the happier times that Nick and Amy had in the past, there is something uneasy and ambient about the score that suggests otherwise.
Ben Affleck is marvellously effective at putting the audience on edge as to what Nick’s intentions and feelings are. One minute we pity him and the next we are not sure of him as he is very ambiguous and Affleck plays that to the hilt. The casting of Affleck is pretty inspired as he himself has been at the centre of the media circus regarding his own private life, so maybe that in turn brings more to the part. As good as Affleck is, the biggest standout star of Gone Girl is Rosamund Pike, in what is a career defining performance. Like the film itself, Rosamund Pike’s portrayal of the beautiful missing Amy is hard to go into without giving away key parts of the story, but like before I’ll try to be concise. Rosamund Pike is quite simply a marvel in this movie, in every sense of the word. The part of the elusive Amy is a dream one for an actress and Pike makes it her own, adding an opacity in the beginning to give her a deep mystery. Yet as the story goes on the character is shown significantly different in each part, as Pike masterfully pulls away the layers of the character to reveal someone who is very different and more unpredictable that initially thought. Rosamund Pike has been seen in the past in largely supporting roles, so the challenge of playing the lead of Amy just goes to show how fantastic she is in adapting to the part so well. Rosamund Pike is just spectacular in the role and makes a very deep impression. The other members of the cast are no slouches either and sink their teeth into meaty roles. Carrie Coon was appropriately sarcastic yet loyal as Nick’s sister whose the person to go to for advice, though her belief in her brother does take something of a bashing in the process. Tyler Perry was a welcome surprise portraying Nick’s lawyer, who has a reputation for getting people off even when the evidence is stacked against them. There is something arch and winking about Perry’s work, as he knows exactly how to play the media to get a result. Neil Patrick Harris oozes a strange sort of smarmy charisma and pining as someone that connects to Amy’s past and then we have a well cast Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit playing the scrupulous detective and her partner, respectively.
An almost forensic and highly compelling examination of what is behind the surface image and the accountability of the media on the people it preys on, Gone Girl is simply put a mesmerising thriller, boasted even higher by the direction of David Fincher and the two central performances from Ben Affleck and especially Rosamund Pike.
beetleypete said:
Skipped this one, as I am intending to watch it. Will get back to the post after I have seen it.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I have a feeling you will like this movie Pete. It has a lot of twists and compelling mystery.
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beerenitynowdoug said:
Watch right now haha
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Pimpf said:
I haven’t seen that one yet but for sure is my list of movies to watch 🙂
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vinnieh said:
If you are a fan of mystery thrillers, this is one amazing one.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Fincher at his finest.
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vinnieh said:
I concur. His directing here was pretty outstanding and had that attention to detail that I love.
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TheMarckoguy said:
And the dark sense of humor one can and should expect from his movies.
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vinnieh said:
Exactly, I like how he incorporates very dark humour into his work. It adds more to a story and especially in this case is very appropriate as it does satirise the media.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Absolutely. And Affleck gave the best performance of his career.
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vinnieh said:
Affleck showed off considerable skill here. But Pike clinched it for me with her layered performance.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Yeah, she was fantastic.
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vinnieh said:
It must have been a very challenging role to play, but Pike made it look effortless.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Most definitely.
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vinnieh said:
Having read the book, she was the perfect embodiment of the complex Amy.
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TheMarckoguy said:
I have to agree with that.
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vinnieh said:
It is the definition of layered, and then some.
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TheMarckoguy said:
And Carrie Coon who played Affleck’s sister was great as well.
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vinnieh said:
She was indeed, the pick of the supporting cast I thought. I hadn’t seen her in anything else before viewing Gone Girl, but I’d like to now.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Same here. Lucky then that she will be in the third season of Fargo (coming next year)… Alongside Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
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vinnieh said:
I need to start watching that show.
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TheMarckoguy said:
It is so great.
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vinnieh said:
I’ll keep that in mind.
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TheMarckoguy said:
And since the show is an anthology they can write new, interesting stories for every season.
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vinnieh said:
I do love a good anthology. American Horror Story does that format in spectacular fashion.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Plenty of anthologies being released these days.
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vinnieh said:
They seem to be very popular.
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TheMarckoguy said:
I can understand why. Gives you some room to play around with certain themes.
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vinnieh said:
It must be fun for the actors too if they get to play multiple characters.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Can also be good if you want bigger actors who don’t necessarily want to commit to several seasons of a show, but might be willing to do one season.
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vinnieh said:
Very true, you can get some of the elite to join in.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Again, Ewan McGregor in Fargo season 3 next year.
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vinnieh said:
I like McGregor, a most reliable actor.
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TheMarckoguy said:
He has the talent and the charm.
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vinnieh said:
I agree. A very charming guy.
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TheMarckoguy said:
It will be interesting to see him in Fargo. He will apparently play two characters at once.
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vinnieh said:
I think that would be a dream for an actor. A challenge, but definitely a dream to play two characters.
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TheMarckoguy said:
Probably.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Spot on review Vinnie! I thought this was an excellent film adaptation of the book. As you said, it’s always a positive sign when the author is involved in writing the screenplay.😊
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vinnieh said:
Sorry for the late reply Kim, somehow your comment ended up in spam. I’ve fished it out. Anyway, yes I thought this translated the book very well to the screen and kept that uncomfortable mood going. What did you make of the cast? Rosamund Pike stole it for me.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
WordPress has been doing that a lot lately.😕 I loved the cast, but I was especially thrilled that Ben Affleck proved what a great actor he can be.😊
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vinnieh said:
Ben Affleck really flexed his acting muscles here. When I was reading, I had him in mind as Nick. The same for Rosamund Pike as Amy. And what a twisted story they had.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
They did indeed. Have you seen The Town, with Affleck? That’s another one I think you’d love.😊
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vinnieh said:
I’ve been meaning to watch The Town for a while now. Appreciate the reminder.
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Wajdi Almowafak said:
Amazing movie and wonderful review!😊
“Gone Girl” is art and entertainment, a thriller and an issue, and an eerily assured audience picture. It is also a film that shifts emphasis and perspective so many times that you may feel as though you’re watching five short movies strung together, each morphing into the next.
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vinnieh said:
I loved the switch in perspective, between past and present, truth and lies and Nick and Amy. It all blends well together and keeps you on your toes.
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Wajdi Almowafak said:
Very true!😊
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vinnieh said:
And I just loved the acting, especially from Rosamund Pike.
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Wajdi Almowafak said:
I totally agree with you!😊
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vinnieh said:
She embodied the many sides of Amy to perfection. Can’t imagine anyone else playing it so well.
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Wajdi Almowafak said:
She really was amazing!😊
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vinnieh said:
Very much so. I’ve always liked Rosamund Pike a lot, but her performance as Amy boosted that even more.
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Wajdi Almowafak said:
So have I!
Rosamund Pike is really a talented actress and her performance in this movie is incredible!
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vinnieh said:
I hope she is given more great roles like her one here.
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ronbrownx said:
I’ve got to find this one!
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vinnieh said:
I like what you did there.
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ronbrownx said:
LOL, you did?
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vinnieh said:
Yeah, it was pretty witty.
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Courtney Young said:
Great review! I’m surprised this was your first viewing of this since you’re a Fincher fan. This movie was good, very well-made, but just not one of my Fincher favorites. It doesn’t immediately come to mind when I think of great films by Fincher, you know? Tremendous performances though, and totally eerie score!!
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vinnieh said:
When the film came out, I was mad busy so didn’t get a chance to see it. Then I got a copy of the book this year to read and loved it. So happy to see the film capture the feel of the book. That was one eerie electronic score that sent a few shivers down the spine. I’ve lately been making it a mission to go the cinema more often. This month I saw Arrival and Nocturnal Animals, and reviewed both in case you haven’t seen them yet. Would love to know your opinion on those reviews.
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Courtney Young said:
I’ll definitely check both out!
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vinnieh said:
Thank you Courtney.
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fragglerocking said:
Well I haven’t read it or seen it, but your review has me intrigued so another one for me to look out for. Cheers V~man.
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vinnieh said:
I assure you that both are mesmerising experiences. The film was a great interpretation of the book.
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raistlin0903 said:
Have this one in my box of dvds I still have to watch (trust me, you don’t want to know how many films are still in there lol) but I know already that I am definitely going to enjoy this one. Great review as always 😀
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vinnieh said:
We are in the same boat there. I have tons of movies I have yet to see but I’m getting there. This movie is now ticked off my list and what a movie it was. So unsettling and twisted.
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Transhaan said:
Fantastic review. Totally agree with you. This was such a brilliant movie. The acting was on point. I also share your praise of David Fincher’s work. He definitely is a top-notch director in the industry, for several years now.
– Lashaan
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vinnieh said:
Fincher has a really impeccable eye for detail and the darkness beneath things. One of the best working directors today.
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ninvoid99 said:
This is still my favorite film by David Fincher in terms of not just the visuals and score but also in how funny it is as well as all of what was happening. I love this film.
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vinnieh said:
The jet black humour adds a lot to this film as a snarl against the media and its workings. And talk about unpredictable as a story, this had more turns than an attacking alligator.
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beerenitynowdoug said:
As much as I love this movie, I will give the book the slight edge. I will say though if I’m at home, my go to movie is Gone Girl
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vinnieh said:
I think nine times out of ten, the book edges most things. But if the film can capture the spirit of the book well than I’m impressed. Just like I was here.
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beerenitynowdoug said:
True. I did like the death scene of Desi better in the movie though. I’m a horror movie fiend so that was a really cool scene for me
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vinnieh said:
If you love horror, check my review index as it contains many horror reviews.
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beerenitynowdoug said:
Already on it.
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vinnieh said:
Cheers dude.
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Jason said:
Nice review. Personally, I love this movie. Never read the book, but the film is awesome. Affleck was excellent in it (probably one of the better performances in his career) and Rosamund Pike was incredible in it (probably the best role of her career). Kind of wished she won an Oscar for this role (although she was nominated for her portrayal of Amy). Plus, Carrie Coon was great as Margo. The twists in the movie were fascinating and well-executed and definitely kept me engrossed in the feature from start to finish.
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vinnieh said:
Affleck was on some of the best work I’ve seen him do, he had a jagged ambiguity that kept you wondering about this man. And Rosamund Pike was exquisite in her role of Amy, never missed a best at unraveling a complex character. It’s nice to hear people praise Carrie Coon as Margo as she is exactly how I pictured the character to look and act.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
I’ve had this one waiting for ages and just never felt “totally convinced” but your post and comments by other bloggers have convinced me – absolutely need to watch this one.
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vinnieh said:
Oh it is a definite must see if you like twisted mysteries.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
Ooh yes…
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vinnieh said:
This will be right up your street then. It gets very dark and unnerving.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
Cool…I’ll definitely check it out.
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vinnieh said:
And the acting can’t be praised highly enough.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
Great stuff. I always enjoy Affleck and Pike. Actually, Rosamund Pike totally surprised me as an actress on The Graham Norton show the other night – she was absolutely lovely. I enjoy seeing actors/actresses in those kind of settings – gives a different perspective. So, since then I’m very keen on watching more of her roles.
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vinnieh said:
Her role in this movie is career defining, just mind-blowingly layered.
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Mario said:
Great review, and great movie too!
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vinnieh said:
Something about the way it was brilliantly dark and very disturbing just made it so watchable and utterly shocking.
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KittNoir said:
Great film. Fantastic book!
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vinnieh said:
I agree on both counts. Only recently did I finish the book and I couldn’t put it down. Then I thought it was high time I watch the film and was greeted with a treat.
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KittNoir said:
It’s brilliantly cast 👌
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vinnieh said:
Extremely well so. Rosamund Pike was on golden form as Amy.
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KittNoir said:
She was spectacular
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vinnieh said:
So many layers and traits were embodied by her, it was pretty breathtaking. And her voice was very engaging in a mysterious and husky sort of way.
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Joel F said:
I watched this movie. Beautiful.
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vinnieh said:
It was a superb mystery thriller with a dark and unsettling centre.
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Joel F said:
Yes, sometimes i can’t believe love can turn that way. Nevertheless, it’s a dark but beautiful movie.
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vinnieh said:
It certainly takes aim at the decay of marriage doesn’t it? And has a really snarling indictment of the media.
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Joel F said:
Yes, so true to life.
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alexraphael said:
Pike was incredible. Such a tough part and she totally nailed it. The directing and execution was so good I almost wish I hadn’t read the book beforehand. The only thing I don’t really agree with you on is Neil Patrick Harris. I just didn’t think he was twisted enough in the role.
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vinnieh said:
Pike was one of the best things in this already impressive movie. I thought Harris was interesting in his part, not who I’d except for that role but good enough. Thanks for commenting Alex.
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Satua said:
I agree with Alex, NPH was the only fault for me too. But otherwise, great review! I watched Gone Girl again this year and it gets even better which is kind of weird because you already know what happens. But maybe it is that when you watched it again, you have more time to appreciate the greatness of Amy the character and also the greatness of Rosamund Pike. She is truly marvellous in this but I also loved the character. There’s never enough complex (and I don’t mean hysterical) females in movies. I mean the ones that are layered like you’ve wrote. Multiple times. And did I read that you haven’t seen The Town yet? You should watch it! Like other Affleck’s directions too, he’s great at that. Directing.
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vinnieh said:
Amy was one of the most fascinating characters put on the screen in quite a while. She is so complex and layered, truly a memorable character. And Rosamund Pike owned the performance so much.
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beetleypete said:
Just watched this tonight, and agree that it is a tightly-paced and rewarding thriller, with top marks to Fincher yet again. The female actors stand out, with a simply wonderful performance from Rosamund Pike, and she is ably supported by Carrie Coon and Kim Dickens. I have never liked Ben Affleck, and though he was suitable for this part, he didn’t really do anything for me, yet again.
All in all, a grown-up and convoluted drama that was well made, and enjoyable.
I might review it on my blog, but as it is difficult without spoilers it will be a short one.
Cheers mate, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Look forward to reading your thoughts. It definitely was the women who dominated the film, best in the form of Pike. It really is the kind of movie that is difficult to discuss without revealing something crucial.
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beetleypete said:
I posted the review, V. I didn’t give it as much love as you, unfortunately, mainly because of Affleck.
I don’t get him, I really don’t. Like a shop-window dummy, reading off a card.
See what you think.
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/2016/11/28/just-been-watching-28/
Cheers mate, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Affleck is one of those actors that either people seem to love or hate. Thanks for the link.
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keepsmealive said:
I have thus far avoided this film. It’s Affleck. I just can’t. But someday I will! I wanna read the novel first!
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vinnieh said:
Oh I wholeheartedly recommend the book, a superb read. And then the film, it captured the feeling of the book spectacularly.
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ruth said:
WOW, so many comments! The readership on your blog is amazing Vin. Well, as we discussed, I’m impressed w/ this one. It’s one of those rare works where the film matches the quality of the book (from what I heard from those who’ve read the book). I love Rosamund Pike, and she’s phenomenal here. Fincher is an excellent filmmaker, curious to see what he’ll do next.
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vinnieh said:
I love the readership on my blog Ruth. Everyone has something interesting to say. This film definitely matched the greatness of the book and the mystery of it. Fincher is a boss it must be said and Rosamund Pike turned in a simply wonderful performance.
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ruth said:
You’re lucky to get SO many comments on every single post 😉 Yep, I think we agree it’s a great thriller.
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vinnieh said:
I’m always surprised when I get loads of comments. A happy surprise as I never know whether the film or topic in question will start discussion.
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jwforeva said:
Fincher’s best and definitely my favourite. It’s dark and gritty, and I love how Fincher has explored the ways society uses/views victim culture and the way that marriage can often be destructively manipulative. It’s a smart satire and one of my favourite films of all time. It’s never too late to see it haha :)) Glad you finally did. I liked how you mentioned the idyll of marriage exposing something rotten. So true. Nice review 😀
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vinnieh said:
Fincher is a maestro of getting beneath the layers of things that are far from black and white, both in a thematic and visual way. Satire is heavy with how the media is represented here, it’s a real snarl against them. Glad you liked the sentence about the idyll of marriage.
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Richard said:
This film was so brilliantly concocted, I don’t think there was a scene, or even a frame out of place. The film blended together so perfectly, and it never lost that sense of unpredictability and darkness which carried on for the entire duration. As you can probably tell I love this film, and it should more credit than it gets.
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vinnieh said:
I can’t think of a frame out of place, that was how meticulous and assured this movie was. And unpredictability was at its height here in dark and mysterious ways.
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Three Rows Back said:
What a great review mate. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this, but certain scenes stick vividly in the mind.
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vinnieh said:
The dark style and performances are what truly drew me in. Rosamund Pike was breathtaking.
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