The Social Network

"The Social Network"
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rooney Mara
Directed by: David Fincher
120 minutes
2010/USA

A common thread running through David Fincher's films are obsessive characters that are often driven to succeed or come out on top due to their various social and cultural surroundings. In "Zodiac," the investigation into the notorious 70s' serial killer not only took the lives of those murdered, but of the men dedicated to solving the mystery. Again in "Fight Club," Fincher examined a fractured man and his attempts to not conform to a lifestyle of numbing complacency. In "Seven," serial killer John Doe leads two detectives through a maze of eye-opening events that force them to see the bleak nature of the world.

"The Social Network," is another achievement for director David Fincher. Having come off the success of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Fincher's is going for something less complicated here in terms of aesthetic and approach, but just as grandiose. His collaboration with writer Aaron Sorkin is one of the great stories of the year, as both of their styles appropriately come together for this film.

 This film chronicles another obsessive, the true life Mark Zuckberg, who at the age of 23 became the world's youngest billionaire. The film starts in Harvard circa 2003 where Zuckerberg has just been dumped by his girlfriend Erica Albright, played by Rooney Mara. Their conversation at a bar ranges from friendly chit-chat, and then escalates into rapid verbal attacks from both parties. His insecurity and his need for social acceptance into prestigious Harvard clubs is what propel his life into further betrayal, lawsuits, and wealth as his invention. spreads like wildfire. It didn't start because of a girl, but due to a generation waiting to breakout and change the world.

 Zuckerberg is played by Jesse Eisenberg, criticized by detractors as being a clone of the Michael Cera school of acting, Eisenberg proves in this film that he's more than a one note actor, and actually far more dynamic than Cera. The film follows the chronology of events through the eyes of the key players that were involved in Facebook's startup. Zuckerberg is essentially a genius, but stands without any firm relationship, other than to his friend Eduardo Saverin, who is played by the very talented Andrew Garfield. Zuckerberg's anger stemming from his breakup causes him to blog about her, while also hacking into the Harvard networks and setting up a page that pits Harvard females against each other in a battle of who's more attractive. These early scenes are what establish the mood and angst that the rest of the film delves further into. It's all basically child's play for Zuckerberg, whose ignorant deeds are praised and scolded throughout campus. We learn early on what makes Zuckberg tick, he's some blend of uber nerd combined with mild human disdain.

Zuckberg's actions get the attention of three other Harvard students. Their are Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, world class rowers that come from money, they're both played by Armie Hammer. The twins and their friend played by Max Minghella have started an idea for social networking for Harvard students. They need Mark for the technical aspects, such as writing code for the site. Mark swears his allegiance but expands the idea into his own creation, Facebook. Mark's betrayal leads to lawsuits and fierce deposition scenes that inter-cut Mark's rise to stardom. When the character of Napster creator Shawn Parker (Timberlake) enters the picture, the dynamic between Zuckberg and Saverin becomes more intense and tragic. Timberlake does strong work here, as Parker has already had his success and knows the value of Zuckerberg's creation. He's essentially the devil in the form of a 20 something sex symbol, nudging Mark's ideas toward a dark path. He proclaims to Mark, "This is our time," this is perhaps the truest and most identifiable trait of the generation that started Napster, MySpace, and Facebook.

The way that Sorkin displays the betrayal of these characters and Zuckerberg's rise to power is poetic.The film's narrative structure is most similar to "Rashoman," the 1950s' Kurosawa film, which shows events from multiple perspectives.  "The Social Network," mirrors the same style, cutting between past, present, and future. The style of the narrative along with the exceptional script by veteran Aaron Sorkin is what gives the film its nonstop juice. It's easy to imagine the film being an average procedural, but in Sorkin's hands it encompasses the tone of a thriller with its breakneck pacing and wit. All of the characters talk fast, most notably Zuckerberg, who's bitterness toward others for not being on par with his genius is something to behold, thus showing the why casting Eisenberg was the obvious choice.

Fincher's ability to shoot these different settings with intimacy and urgency is what stands out in all of his films. The distinct look of his framing and photography is always identifiable. His use of dark and washed out palette's has always extenuated the harsh settings of his previous film, but in "The Social Network," Fincher is suggesting that Internet hacking, college culture, and betrayal are all on par with the themes of his past films.

The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross supplements the material as well. It's consistently effective in its mood. This is the best ensemble of the year so far. Andrew Garfield, who will play the next Spider-Man, particularly stands out as the betrayed friend and CFO of Facebook. In a way, we as the audience are him, the human connection to a story that is mostly filled with cold, but interesting souls who changed the way we interact and live today.

Grade: 4/5