Gone Girl
Plot
Years ago, Amy and Nick, began a beautiful love story, and after some tough years of marriage – have grown tired of each other in secret. When Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversay, presumably kidnapped – he calls in the authorities to assist with her return. As the investigation grows, and due to her fame as a child celebrity, he is soon arrested for her murder – and painted as one of the most hated men in America.
But is she really dead?
Direction
Another banger from David Fincher, who does a stellar job.
I really enjoyed his use of colouring, especially the un natural colour tones during some of the flashbacks.
He also did a fantastic job in ‘that’bedroom scene with the graphic use of blood, and the quick cuts – felt almost Hitchockian.
Cast/Characters
Ben Affleck as Nick, does a sound job. He plays an almost ‘art imitating art’ version of his own life, as Nick is constantly hounded by the press, and news outlets throughout the film – something Affleck is known for with his own life. While some of the heavier scenes I thought he struggled a bit with, he still gave a sympathetic role at the same time his character is hated for his actions.
Rosamund Pike plays the almost ‘antihero’ role as Amy, who ** spoiler ** fakes her kidnapping to frame Nick for her murder. As her plan starts to unravel during the second act, her ability to play conniving is completely convincing. Her performance even garnered her an Oscar nomination.
Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris play supporting roles, the former as Tanner Bolt, Nick’s lawyer who attempts to save him from being framed for murder, and the latter as Desi – an old flame of Amy’s who helps hide her (and becomes part of her plan to get home) during the second act. Harris plays very against type here, and I felt he was a little underused. This is probably the first time I’ve really paid much attention to Perry, and understand why he is so popular.
Other secondary cast are; Kim Dickens as the primary investigator in Amy’s disappearance, Carrie Coon as Margo – Nick’s twin sister
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
Starting with some abrubt dialogue in which we realise this is not a happy couple, Fincher leads us into some truly brilliant credits sequence (he is one of the few directors who still use them from the films I’ve seen of his) – that have very quick cuts that make you feel uneasy – almost a prelude to what is to come.
The film relies heavily on narration by Amy throughout as well, but while I’ve not been a big fan of narration in the past, this time it adds to the narrative arc – as most of what is being told to the audience, is what Amy has been writing in her journal.
The film also does a good job of making both characters both sympathetic (Nick is a bad husband as he is unfaithful), and making you sympathise with the other party. At times you don’t really know who you are supposed to empathise with – as neither of these are good people.
The film also does a great job at natural pacing of the plot developments in the way they are shown to the audience; from how Amy faked her kidnapping, Nick’s girlfriend, and how Amy manipulated those around her.
One slight gripe I have with the screenplay is the use of the ‘c’ word. It sounds a little strange from American’s and I just don’t think they can pull it off.
Overall
A great mystery that subverts expectations early in the proceedings with the mystery of where Amy is answered before the start of the second act.
I would have preferred a little more of the final act, considering the film is 2.5hrs in length.
Still a great film and a strong recommend.
4/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”