Movie Review: Gone Girl

Gone Girl (2014): With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

Wow. Just.....wow. We need to take a moment and talk about this movie. This movie is incredible. It is unpredictable, filled with twists and turns from start to finish. Easily the best movie of the year thus far, I can only hope that this movie is remembered when the Oscars come round. There's always a risk with being the opening movie of the Oscar season, but unlike The Butler of 2013, I fully believe that this movie will be remembered in a few months because it is breathtakingly good. Miles ahead of The Butler. That said, let's dive into this shall we?

So. Rosamund Pike. I've loved this actress ever since her breakout performance as the Bond girl of Die Another Day way back in 2002. However this movie is the performance that will finally make her name a household name. Easily the best part of the movie, Rosamund Pike is unbelievable as the amazing Amy Dunne. She embodies so many difficult traits and deserves to win some trophy shaped like a human being next year for this role. Amy Dunne is one of the hardest to portray characters in a movie of recent memory and Pike makes it look easy. While Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris (I know right? I actually forgot it was NPH after a while because he is a great actor too) and Carrie Coon are also all great, it's Pike who shines in this movie. She absolutely steals the show. I can't wait to see what she has in store next!

Now this movie is based off of a novel by Gillian Flynn and I think fans of the novel of the same name will enjoy the fact that he authors the screenplay too. The story is amazing, (obviously) filled with gripping scenes (including one of the most tense interviews I've ever seen in a movie) and countless twists and turns throughout the 149 minute runtime. Oh ya, 149 minutes. That is a long time, but this movie made me completely lose track of it and it didn't feel anywhere near that time. So please don't let that distract you. Additionally the portrayal of the media here is spectacular and the depth and exposure of it is on the level of an Aaron Sorkin West Wing episode. Additionally the cinematography is great and the directing is great. David Fincher's style is very prevalent and the movie is all the better because of it. Honestly the only aspect of this movie that was lacking was the music. Sadly the reason this aspect of the movie failed in my opinion was because I was expecting greatness out of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The main members of one of my favorite bands, Nine Inch Nails, Reznor and Ross have been making the music to the last three big David Fincher movies, winning an Oscar for their work in The Social Network, and then following it up with a great soundtrack in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. However unfortunately here the music is nothing more than background noise. But that's only a minor complaint. The other complaint I have with this movie is its ending. The ending is very sudden and, similar to the ending of The Social Network, just sort of happens. For such an intense story, I really wish the ending wasn't as sudden. Other than those two complaints, this movie is perfect. One that I have every desire to watch again and again. Go see it. Please.

The Critique: Rosamund Pike shines, and Fincher shows off his directing prowess in the best movie thus far of 2014. 

The Recommendation: This movie absolutely gets a badass seal of approval. A must-watch for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the movies.

Rewatchability: High

The Verdict: 9.5/10 Damn Near Perfect

Oscar Talk: Regardless of what happens, if Rosamund Pike does not even get nominated for Best Actress I will personally take the time to write a letter to the academy voicing my complaints. Ya. Sh*t just got real.





Photo Credit
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