FollowNo worries, not a single spoiler found here.
Because I am a sick, twisted person, I like to Wikipedia the endings of movies and TV shows before I even watch them. I become too emotionally invested in the well-being of the characters. I just want to know that everyone who is supposed to live lives and everyone who deserves to die rots —so sue me. This never actually “ruins” the movie or show for me —it’s better this way, especially for my mental health.
Today, though, I thank God that I did not search the ending to “Gone Girl” before I was blessed with this unsettling, haunting, I-will-keep-you-up-until-4-AM-reading-critics’-reviews-and-watching-interviews cornucopia of sheer genius. For those of you who are like me — if there are any of you out there — do yourselves a favor and simply take a leap of faith. I made it — barely.
David Fincher, whose films consistently capture the zeitgeist of modern times, from “Fight Club,” to “Se7en,” to “The Social Network,” delivers yet again in this thrilling portrayal of the mistrust and hypocrisy that seems to be prevalent in relationships today. Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl” centers on a seemingly normal couple with a seemingly average life. Nick Dunne—played by Ben Affleck, major eye candy as usual—and Amy Dunne—perfectly portrayed by Rosamund Pike, who just went from B-list to A-list—live in that copy-and-paste ordinary type of small suburban town where the highlight of everyone’s week is getting drunk at the local bar with the baseball game on in the background. It’s the stuff of little boxes on the hillside.
So as you can imagine, Amy Dunne’s sudden and mysterious disappearance causes some major shit to hit the fan, as the townsfolk and eventually the entire country begins to question her husband’s innocence. The directing is exquisite—every hand gesture and facial expression, each slight change in tone of voice — toys with the audience’s perspective.
Each scene is meticulously fashioned to unnerve you, until even you are unsure of who you want to be revealed as innocent or guilty. The present is intermingled with the past, as the movie is rife with flashbacks of characters that initially seem insignificant. This window of insight into the main characters’ past lives adds even more to this primarily character driven film. The layers of their personalities are peeled back gradually and meaningfully, guiding and shocking you at the same time. This degree of complexity could have only been achieved through the Oscar-nomination worthy performances by Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris, and even though it kills me to say it, Tyler Perry. Maybe I am blinded by the sheer greatness of the movie but yes, even Tyler Perry adds a little something special to the film. It’s not that I have anything against him, it’s just that he will always be Madea to me.
Rosamund Pike’s character, Amy Dunne, will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most important fictional female characters of all time. You will love her so much that you hate her. You will hate her so much that you love her. No matter what side you are on, it is impossible to ignore her charisma. Each and every actor provides the audience with a missing piece of the puzzle, and by the conclusion, we are drenched in sweat, jaws on the ground, utterly shocked to see the final image.
As someone who watches way too many films, I’ve gotten a little overconfident. I thought I had seen it all — especially the movies in the mystery/thriller genre where it’s always the crazy ex-girlfriend or the creepy neighbor. “Gone Girl” is devilishly clever in its plot arcs and dialogue, throwing your well-intentioned predictions back in your face with a resounding, “NOPE! FOOLED YA, SUCKER.”
Before I accidentally blab the ending, I’ll just say this: “Gone Girl” is the perfect movie to see with your friends on a Friday night after midterms. It actually might even be twice as stressful than all your midterms combined, but… It just hurts so good.
“Gone Girl” is currently play at the UA Berkeley 7.
Image source msmagazine.com.
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