Why would anybody want to make, let alone watch, a movie about Facebook, you ask? Well, when it's written by The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher...it's a must see. Sorkin's script works on many levels; as a fascinating document of the conception and rise of the world's largest online social network, as a character study into obsession (Fincher's area of interest in many of his films) and the destructive nature obsession has on one's life, even though the protagonist might be trying to do good. And it's an insight into the working of the rules and politics governing American Higher learning institutions and business law.
Jesse Eisenberg is brilliant as Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, playing him with just enough humanity to not make him seem like a complete dick. Zuckerberg is portrayed as obsessing about attaining a high degree of social acceptance and desires recognition for his intelligence and his achievements...but doesn't wish to actually engage socially with other human beings. Using the all the principle characters, not just Zuckerberg, Sorkin and Fincher show individuals who are driven by failure and rejection to achieve and earn more and more.
Fincher's trademark direction is more subdued in stretches allowing Sorkins clever banter, room to breathe. The opposite is also true in wonderfully edited set-pieces that allow the director's unique sense of cutting and composition to shine. It's all accompanied by a stunningly atmospheric score co-written by Nine Inch Nail's Trent Reznor. It's 80's synth vibe makes this talky drama far more cinematic and helps to seamlessly gel the sharp dialogue and the gliding camera moves.
Unlike anything Fincher has done before, but just as engrossing as Zodiac and Seven...and certainly better than Benjamin Button....even if it doesn't have serial killers.
