Monday 6 October 2014

Film: 'Gone Girl'

When I see that a film is going to be two hours long I groan. When it's two and a half hours it had better be good! Reviews have largely said that this film is so - and I can now confirm that in my opinion, it's far better than just 'good', it's mightily impressive.

A thriller that wrong-foots the audience time and time again, helped enormously by the fact that Gillian Flynn, the writer of the popular novel (not read by me, yet) has also written the screenplay. The story reminded me of the first time I read John Fowles' 'The Magus', when I could never be certain that by turning the next page all that had gone before wouldn't be demolished for the umpteenth time, leaving the reader having to make a corresponding mental adjustment.

Gillian Flynn has produced a superior script that crackles along and left me breathless trying to anticipate what comes next. Director David Fincher has the two spotlit main parts played excellently by Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. I can't imagine either roles could have been done better. (I ought to report that I couldn't quite catch some of the early exchanges, the same fault which ruined Fincher's recent success for me, the entire film of 'The Social Network'. But any dialogue I missed here was nowhere near as extensive as in that film, and there wasn't anything I felt which I ought to have heard but didn't).

As for a precis of what happens, I can only say that Affleck returns to his Missouri home one day to find that his wife of five years (Pike) is missing, there being signs of a struggle. He then calls in the police - and the roller-coaster ride begins. Assumptions one has made of the situation start being subverted only for the then revised situation to be similarly dismantled, and so it continues till one never knows where one's sympathies are or should be. Twists and turns come thick and fast and by the time the end had been reached I felt giddy without having a solid, reliable base on which to stand.

Mention must be made of Kim Dickens as the chief detective assigned to solving the disappearance, with Patrick Fugit as her police officer 'sidekick. They make a fine 'double-act'. In fact, throughout the film I found that humour is not far below the surface, occasionally popping up right up into view. It works well.
Another most interesting feature is the gullibility of the general public tuning into TV News and chat-show programmes, shifting their allegiances according to the 'requirements' of the TV producers. (If I may be allowed another reminder of a parallel situation, I thought of  'Julius Caesar' and Mark Antony's funeral oration, where the crowd's sympathies are played like a musical instrument).

If you like films that require one's attention throughout (which this holds without any difficulty at all, it so pulls you in) and you enjoy a mental fun-ride, this will suit you down to the ground. A major achievement in all respects, I find very little to criticise about it..............................8


18 comments:

  1. I am not an Affleck fan, and that kind of kept me from wanting to go, but the more I hear from people who saw it I may just change my mind.

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    1. It's a good, meaty thriller, Bob, and if that;s what turns you on as much as it does for some of us, this will make for a solid experience.
      I don't have any 'Affleck aversion' myself but I won't believe anyone who maintains that he's not good in this, because he certainly is.

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  2. I planned to go this weekend, but did not want to deal with the crowds and the lack of parking spaces.

    I read the book last year, and I have to admit that it was a page-turner. It kept me up far into the night.

    You have made a very keen observation about the gullibility of the general public shifting their allegiances. This is so true here in the US with elections coming up with the people favoring the Republican Party, which as caused so much damage. As Gore Vidal termed it: "USA - The United States Of Amnesia."

    I have read that Affleck gives us a little or big surprise - I don't know, but you do.

    All in all, it looks as though a wise decision was made to entrust Flynn's book to Fincher.

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    1. Reading the book is clearly a 'must', Paul. I know of more than one reviewer who, like you, did know the book and who also enjoyed the film. I believe that Gillian Flynn has made some changes for the screenplay but that they do not undermine the basic unsettling ideas behind the novel.

      I don't think we have quite the concerns of audience manipulation by TV companies here that you seem to have - as well as many non-democratic countries. Others may disagree with me. But I do find it frightening when one realises just how pliable mob mentality is, and the ease with which it allows itself uncritically to be put under the spell of large corporations with the money to further peddle their own views based on self-interest rather than reality.. Most people are sheep and are comfortable with it. They'll go with the majority for fear of standing out as someone 'different' - something that's been the curse of mankind since the year dot.. As he so often was, Gore Vidal was right on the button. We now badly need a 'replacement' with his fearless candour and wisdom.

      The surprises Affleck gave for me was the big one about his character, coming out of the blue as it does, which you'll have read in the book. But I don't think you're referring to that. Also, his acting was so believable and wide-ranging in this, but I don't think you meant that either. I suspect you might be talking about his 'revealing' himself which, if it did happen, I have to admit I didn't notice. There is a scene in the shower where, I'd guess, the 'exposure' took place but there might have been a version of the film I saw where 'it' is not given view. Either that or it was so fleeting that I missed it.

      This film is currently top of the box office takings here, which gives one hope that there are enough discerning members of the public out there to make a difference. However, being given wide release on major chains does give it a boost too.

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  3. I loved the book, and look forward to seeing the movie!

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    1. It seems to be one of those films where variations from the original source material does not spoil the story, Jennifer. It helped enormously to have the same writer doing both book and film, and this must be one of the biggest successes in that respect there has been in recent years.

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  4. now this is one that I will be seeing.

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    1. Do that, Sol. No one (well maybe one person I heard at the week-end) has anything at all bad to say about the film.

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  5. Ray,
    Pat is going to see this movie tomorrow night. We both enjoy a roller coaster thriller that is not formula predictive. "Gone Girl" will be in my Netflix queue. By the way, I almost always put on sub-titles for all movies, English including, because of the propensity for modern movies to be "realistic" and mumble.
    Another great review Ray. Thanks!
    Ron

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    1. The subtitle of this film could well have been 'Appearances are Deceptive', Ron. I know it'll be your kind of film. If Pat does like it then it'll clinch it for you. If, however, he gives it a thumbs-down, for whatever reason, don't believe him!

      I wouldn't object if they'd put subtitles on film in the cinema. But by no means not for everything. Most film I don't have a problem with - and people will vary with when they need it or don't. I could switch on subs for TV, but trouble is that I don't watch many TV film at all, less than one a month in fact.

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  6. This one will go on my list. Thanks!

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    1. I'm sure you'll get your money's worth, F.B.

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  7. It's getting a lot of hype for it here.

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    1. Deservedly so, Dr Spo. But there hasn't been the universal admiration for it here that one might have expected. However, it's clear that the majority are positive.

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  8. i saw it yesterday ray and loved it
    pike is a revelation ,
    a classy adult film.... which has a great deal to say about modern marriage

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    1. Yes, seeing Rosamund Pike so good just after being in, what to me was the turkey of 'What We Did Last Summer' (the film, not her performance) was astonishing. She pitched the duality of the role just right. (Oops! Better not say any more).
      I'm pleased and relieved to have someone like you, a member of my computer circle, agreeing with me on the excellence of the film.

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