Friday, December 10, 2010

The Social Network



I put off going to see David Fincher's The Social Network for a good while and the reason for this is because I too have an idea for a Facebook movie that I am currently in the process of writing. I admit that I was bitter and hoping that it would be a disaster...I wasn't dissapointed...for two reasons: 1)The Social Network has a completely different concept and style to what my script is. 2) It is an excellent film, which is one of the best of the year.

I realised that this was going to be a great movie from the first scene, which was enhanced through its rapid, Abbott & Costello style dialogue that surpasses the unfortunate conversations (if you can even call them that) we are subjected to in most contemporary Hollywood movies. This movie is proof that fast-paced dialogue can engage audiences and modern Hollywood does not need to dumb down dialogue or utilize CGI Effects to entertain spectators.


"This is our time" Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) boasts proudly to Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) during a brilliant club scene, which will mirror the thoughts of the post-modern audience  who view it. Similar to Jason Reitman's Up in the Air, this movie is a review for its time. Facebook is a universal phenonomen that has developed a whole new way of communication and the way we perceive each other. These two factors are what I focus on in my script, but what Fincher and Aaron Sorkin have portrayed is the history and road to riches of this phenonomen. And they do it wonderfully through witty dialogue, superb visuals and a brooding soundtrack.


Zuckerberg and his fellow co-creator, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), are beyond intellegent, but Sorkin's screenplay creates a sense of comfort for us mere idiots, who don't know the first thing about computer programming. The reasons why they created FaceMash and then Facebook we can all relate to: girls. Pretty basic, but that is the most blatant reason and as Zuckerberg acknowledges is the reason why we all sign into it. As the South Park character Cartman pointed out in an episode "we all know that you get more points if a girl comments on yor page".


This movie also touches on themes of friendship, trust and jealousy most specificly between Zuckerberg and Saverin. Timberlake is great as Sean Parker, who could talk his way out of a Vietnamese Russian Roulette shack and then convince others to go in. This guy is the vital influence that deteriorates Mark and Eduardo's relationship althought there was an underlying tension prior to Parker.


The film cuts between lawsuit scenes and the story behind them, which invloves the Winklevoss twins, who deliver humour and a strong case. The whole process, enthusiasiasm, confidence and payoff conveys a great sense of ambition that influences the audience...Better finish this fucking script soon.






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