Oh…my…god…. Was my first reaction after I watched the traumatic, visually disturbing, ride of a film known as Gone Girl. I literally walked out of the movie theater in a complete daze and I wasn’t sure what the hell hit me. I hate to toot the postmodern horn but I kind of agree with the idea that movies tell the same old story and most films are somewhat predictable. This does NOT apply to Gone Girl. The film was intense, shocking, irritating, disgusting, and horribly gruesome.
It was perfect.
Gone Girl is a mystery thriller based off of author, Gillian Flynn’s New York Times Bestseller novel of the same name. Gillian also wrote the screenplay for the film adaption, which may have been one of the main reasons behind the film’s impeccable storytelling. But we all know that the film’s stunning images are all thanks to the one, and only director, David Fincher. The scenes were vivid and gave a haunting allure similar to Fincher’s Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Gone Girl begins with Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) narrating on his idea of marriage and trying to understand the thoughts that are running through his wife’s head (Rosamund Pike). The next day, Nick wakes up and drives over to his bar that he owns with his twin sister, Margo (Carrie Coon) and receives a call from his neighbor about Nick’s cat being loose in the yard. Nick drives back to his residence and there is something eerily suspicious with the home. Someone has broken into Nick’s house and his living room is in complete disarray with broken glass and strewn furniture. Nick calls out for Amy and searches the entire home for his wife. Amy is gone.
The first hour of the film truly proves that Fincher is one of the best directors in the industry with his ability to piece a story together in perfect order. The film cuts to flashbacks of the beginning of Nick and Amy’s relationship to the present day mayhem of Amy’s disappearance. Gone Girl shines a light on public reaction and media exploitation while adding in some good ol’ traditional detective work. On top of that, the film’s music score literally had me gripping the side of my seat and proves that Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor’s music was made for David Fincher films.
This film is a PICK and I say that without any hesitation. Rosamund Pike does a phenomenal job and her performance is beyond Oscar-worthy. But don’t expect much about the overhyped full-frontal Ben Affleck nude scene (I’ll ruin it for you now – it was a side shot and you will miss it if you sneeze. But don’t worry you won’t miss much.) The whole 2 hours and 39 minutes was THRILLING. This is a great film for anyone interested in morbid happily-ever-afters where married couples blackmail each other to stay together. You know, like in real-life marriages.
The Movie Gab 