GONE GIRL
2014
18
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck and Neil Patrick
Harris
Intricacies
of the plot shall be mulled over in this review, so please don't get sad if you
continue reading and ruin the whole thing for yourself. You have been warned!
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. In a non linear hash of flashbacks and diary entries we are
introduced to the most toxic of all couples. From their blissful beginnings and
engagement, all the way up to the day of their fifth wedding anniversary where
things start to get a bit strained to say the least.
“What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we
done to each other?” As Nick Dunne's
voice addresses the beautifully blonde tresses rested upon his chest we are
introduced to the deadpan eyes of 'Amazing Amy'. And from the outset this film
strikes an unrelenting chord of unease that does not diminish one iota until
the credits roll. Even then, the themes and imagery linger in the mind for
days to come. Gone Girl is a searing study of long term relationships, gender roles
and the modern media furore that is prevalent in today's society.
What's
so beautiful about Fincher's latest directorial effort is the transition
between the three acts. The opening of the movie follows a archetypal mystery, then
at the halfway point Gone Girl becomes a
perverse thriller and then it all ends on a note of satire. To a certain
extent the third act does power down quite significantly. Once crisp and
clinical pace becomes foggy confusion, like a train slowing as it pulls into
the station. But just like Se7en and Fight Club, this masterpiece ends with a arresting
final scene. Not striking in an Inception moment of revelation way, but in a
subtly shocking and thoughtful way that is just as mind blowing. You can literally feel the reception of it reverberate
throughout the very souls of the viewers.
In terms
of production there is so much right
with this film. After the success of The Social Network score, Fincher
understandably came knocking once again on the doors of Trent Reznor and
Atticus Ross. The soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment to this story. I read that they wanted it to sound like
the relaxing music of a massage parlour that is so tranquil it actually become
uneasy and anxiety inducing. Edge of
your seat stuff. There is bound to be Oscar buzz surrounding Gone Girl but
right now I'm calling Cinematography and Best Actress. Cinematography because
the entire movie is stunningly immersive and creates a bleak yet handsome view of the Midwest. An icy aesthetic, much like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. The house is cold and clinical, the loneliness pours from the screen. Best
Actress because this is the best I have ever seen Rosamund Pike, her
performance truly floored me. Flynn's characters have been portrayed as these venomously
deceitful yet transfixing creatures who make you feel and reflect upon their
every word and action. The poise with which she executes her Amy is utterly iconic and captivating. She's like a
python. A chillingly vacant, dangerous and yet oddly beautiful snake.
Fincher has weaved a rich tapestry of plot twists, unreliable
narrators and I can't help but feel there is a spectre of misogyny seeping into
this collection of threads. Undoubtedly Amy is deranged and that is everyone's
first thought; not that Nick may have driven her to it. Provocation can never
be a justification nor an excuse for Amy's depraved acts. But, if she's a
crazed psycho, he's an adulterer and a domestic abuser. He even articulates
that he's not even sure if he wants his wife to come home so she can resume her
position as trophy wife gathering dust at home. Rightly or wrongly, Fincher
(and subsequently the audience) seem somewhat more partial to Nick's side of
the coin as opposed to Amy's. Her fragile mindset caused by years of failing to
live up to the illustrious life of 'Amazing Amy', her failed marriage, her loss
of profession and the fact that the man she loved is entirely indifferent to
her presence are bound to make anyone slightly crazy.
Similarly, none of the women depicted (with the exception of
Margo) seem 'ideal' for Nick. Amy faked a pregnancy in order to incarcerate him
in marriage further by carrying his unborn child, she also lied about being
abused. The female news reporters were the ring leaders of a witch hunt with
the intention of turning the entirety of America against him and landing him on
death row. Boney seemed equally certain of Nick's guilt despite not even having
a body. And Andie stabbed him in the back by going public with the facts he had
been having an affair with her thus screwing up his media persona to an even
greater degree. But he himself is the root of all of this. He was the
trigger that started the chain of
events. With that said, it is refreshing to see a character like Amy Dunne.
This movie also does not sing many praises for relationships in general. If the courting stage is all an act of pretence, with the
woman conjuring up a representation of the Cool Girl and the man feigning a
Charming Guy. And then during marriage men apparently turn into performing
monkeys intending to please their patrolling nagging wives - can you ever truly
be yourself in a relationship? Or does this deceptive crafting chip away at the
individuals until all that's left is resentment because the smokescreen clears
and facade cannot be kept up anymore. Gone Girl depicts the emotional demise of two souls individually, yet still the 'relationship' survives as this horribly twisted, contorted and dysfunctional ruin. It's daring, smart and deeply unsettling. A must-see.
Rating: 8.5
