Gone Girl

Amazing Amy

Every so often a film is released that has a plot quite difficult to explain to others.  Sometimes it is due to misleading trailers, such as the interesting documentary Catfish that was hyped as a 'Hitchcockian thriller'.  Other times, a film's confusing plot structure lets it down, like the recent release Sin City: A Dame For Which To Kill. However sometimes a film's ineffable plot is to purposely swerve the audience and provide an unexpected change in narrative.  Gone Girl definitely fits into that final category.  And therefore I am not going to delve too deep into the film's plot, but focus on it's pluses and negatives.

Ben Affleck plays Nick Dunne (what a ridiculous surname), who on his fifth anniversary to his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) discovers she has disappeared in suspicious circumstances.  Since Amy is a celebrity due to her successful child-author parents, media attention begins to grow around her disappearance and slowly Nick becomes the main suspect.

Now I reiterate, I am going to attempt to not reveal any details about what happens later in the story, but all I can tell you is that Gone Girl is a fantastically crafted, suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing all the way along.  Similar to the David Fincher-directed Se7en, Zodiac and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl's plot is slowly revealed, like a child opening a Wonka chocolate bar and it is obvious that Fincher's masterful hand has been hard at work creating a recognisable and yet hyperbolic world.

I know what you're thinking... But bear with me...

Ben Affleck plays his part well of the not-so-perfect husband at the centre of a media scrutiny, who alongside relative-newcomer Carrie Coon impressively performing as Nick's twin sister Margot attempt to clear Nick's name.  However the plaudits all belong to Rosamund Pike in a career-redefining performance as the titular 'Gone Girl', Amy Dunne.  I have never seen Pike act this well. Honestly she steals this film and if she consistently performs in these sorts of roles, then I see a very different career ahead as opposed to the one where she has been restrained to 'blonde eye-candy'.  But whilst I feel like Pike needs singling out, every single actor and actress delivers an impressive performance, even Tyler freaking Perry outperforms as the dry-witted, wife-murderer's best friend, Defence Attorney Tanner Bolt.  Yeah, the guy who dresses up as the old woman.  Him, he's really good in this!

The director Fincher reunites with Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and his producing partner Atticus Ross who scored The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network, of which they won the Academy Award for Best Score, and they have created another atmospheric and subtle musical accompaniment that assists in the mysterious and suspenseful plot throughout.  Like their scores before, I am definitely buying it and chilling out to the ambient and peaceful tunes in my spare time.

I hate it when my missing wife photobombs me...

The score is just one way that is evident that Fincher has crafted a fantastic film.  Everything in the film looks pristine and there for a reason.  It's a strange thing to mention but Fincher has a history of always using space well in his films, making scenes claustrophobic when he needs to or turning scenes on their head with the slightest touch or hint to the audience and Gone Girl is definitely one of his strongest films to date.  Switching focus from mass media's current obsession with tragedy, to the importance of outward appearances in today's society, and always commenting on the hidden disappointment most marriages suffer with, the film is definitely suited for current audiences.

Whilst the film is an 18-certificate, hopefully it will still gain enough box office to prove a success.  The only downside I would give it would be the 150 minute running time, however when you are having this much fun, I doubt you'll mind.

Please go see this film. Not only will it hopefully surprise you in that ways it did with me, but then I will be able to discuss it with someone! Oh My God! So much to talk about! It will no doubt be in my Top Ten films come December.

Rating - 9/10

"What have we done to each other?  What will we do?"

Until next time folks, thanks for reading!

If you enjoyed what you read and you'd like to be kept more up to date with my posts, I can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Dunn-Reviews and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MikeDunnReviews - if you want to help the site grow, give them a 'Like' or a 'Share'!