Movie Review: GONE GIRL (2014)

David Fincher‘s films always have an impact on the viewer, long after the movie itself has ended. The same can definitely be said of his latest offering starring Ben Affleck & Rosamund Pike in ‘Gone Girl’. Here is my Movie Review of the amazingly well done dramatic thriller.

[schema type=”movie” url=”http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267998/” name=”Gone Girl” director=”David Fincher” actor_1=”Ben Affleck” actor_2=”Rosamund Pike” actor_3= “Neil Patrick Harris”]

Blank Page Rating: 4 Out of 5 Robot Dogs

Starting off as a wonderfully charming love story, ‘Gone Girl’ is all about the baffling disappearance of a wife, which kick starts a chain of events revealing how troubled and rocky her marriage to her husband truly was, and then spirals down into one of the most complicated stories of recent times. The film wastes no time setting into motion the events of the story, as we are treated to an unhappy Nick, played by Ben Affleck, bitching about his wife on their anniversary, by kicking back drinks at 11am in a bar with his sister. This scene sets the tone for the character of Nick, as he’s immediately set up to be relatable, while a little unlikeable at the same time. Affleck’s portrayal of the character further treads this fine line with awesome results.

Starting out as what looks like foul play, the layers in ‘Gone Girl’ is impressively intelligent. The screenplay by the writer of the novel the film is based on, Gillian Flynn, isn’t afraid to switch genres mid film, as the story changes from a relationship drama, to a murder mystery, into a creepy true crime story while ending up as messed up psychological thriller. The film is paced very leisurely, and if not for the mystery elements from scene one, the dialogue heavy scenes are borderline boring, but the hook keeps the audience engaged and riveted, if you’re into that kind of thing. The experience is further solidified by career defining performances on and off camera.

Ben Affleck is no doubt a great actor, but his performance in ‘Gone Girl’ really separates this role from his others, as he is the most subdued form of himself, despite some jaw dropping plot points. Affleck plays a husband aloof to the disappearance of his wife, which fuels suspicion of foul play by all the authorities involved. Affleck crosses a line in his career with ‘Gone Girl’, as he doesn’t ever show shades of his previous acting ability, but rather holds a lot back, while Fincher’s influence is visibly apparent in Affleck’s performance. While most of his movies are these hysterically twisted events occurring, this is director David Fincher’s most held back movie given the subject matter, despite a scene or two here and there of, explicit content. The heart of the story, about two people in a marriage, and Fincher’s portrayal of love between completely flawed (for lack of a better word) characters is as breathtaking as it is shocking. The film never once strays into areas of conventionality.

‘Gone Girl’ even improves upon the twist ending concept, by placing the twist half way into the film, so the audience isn’t confused for the bulk of the film, but rather can absorb the revelation, process it, and continue the film without the shock of a black screen at the end. ‘Gone Girl’ truly elevates the experience of a psychological thriller, keeping the concept grounded to a real world relationship, marriage, love and a life together… while still delivering trademark David Fincher fucked-up-ness.

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