Film Review: The Social Network

When I first saw the trailers for The Social Network, I had mixed feelings. A movie about Facebook directed by David Fincher? The preview seemed too much like a comedy to grasp the darker tones. Then, after early screenings and much critical acclaim, my curiosity grew. Garnering Oscar buzz for its thrilling plot, spot-on performances, and sharp, sardonic dialogue, the film became a must-see for me. In one word, The Social Network is riveting.

For a film about Facebook, it actually deals little with how Facebook works. It is about the story of how founder Mark Zuckerberg created the social network Facebook. In particular, it is about friendship and ambition. Portrayed as a derisive, ruthless “asshole,” Zuckerberg appears to have “borrowed” ideas and betrayed friends on his path to fame and fortune. By no coincidence, the week that the film opened Zuckerberg appeared on Oprah announcing that he had donated $100 million to charity. Goodwill? Regardless of how accurate the representation is, his appearance on the show to reveal his contribution is probably a PR move to either save face or protect it. Nonetheless, the film is definitely a thrilling drama with sharp comedic relief.

As for the acting, The Social Network boasts great performances. Jesse Eisenberg‘s depiction of Zuckerberg is worthy of an Oscar nomination. From the previews, I thought he may have been miscast. However, my perception of Eisenberg drastically changed after witnessing his powerful performance; just try to not feel the tension during the scene where he is not giving his full attention to a lawyer. Justin Timberlake in a high-profile movie? He too astonishes the viewer; he is practically perfectly cast as the sleazy Sean Parker. As a side note, the fact that pop-singer icon Timberlake portrays the man who invented Napster and damaged the music industry is wonderfully ironic. He successfully antagonizes Zuckerberg’s “only friend” Eduardo Saverin, played by Andrew Garfield who also gives a great turn. Other supporting actors and actresses excel in their roles as well, such as Rooney Mara and Armie Hammer. The acting does not take away from the film or story; it provides depth, tension, and emotion.

Oscar nominations are bound to come for the film. A nomination for “Best Adapted Screenplay” is a no-brainer; in fact, it is probably worthy of the award. The snappy structure and sharp dialogue make The Social Network stand out. Several scenes are quite memorable for their wit and tension. For a story and movie that could have easily flopped or went in many wrong directions, Fincher manages to take it in the right one and hold the audience’s attention throughout the film. It is easily one of the best of the year, perhaps even the best picture (and I’m an enormous fan of Christopher Nolan and his latest Inception).

However, I cannot give The Social Network a perfect score. The climax and denouement feels a bit rushed and the film ends somewhat abruptly. Then again, I’m not sure what else could have been displayed by that point; “getting out quick” seems to fit in this case. As for what else may have been played up a bit more in the film is the more general social and psychological implications of this famous social network. Hints of its effects are found scattered throughout the film, but I hoped it would have appeared a bit more. Some critics have claimed it is the “film of the decade” and displays this generation, but to do that, it needed to cover more on the social effects and not just the story of friendship and betrayal in making “The Facebook.” Perhaps in time I will upgrade the film to a perfect score, but for now it is not a true timeless masterpiece. The Social Network is excellent and nearly perfect. It definitely far exceeded my expectations.

The Social Network – 9.5/10