Review of 'Gone Girl'
Based on the book of the same name, Gone Girl tells the story of Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) who one day wakes up to find his wife, Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) missing. Nick immediately goes to the police and finds that they treat him with more than a little suspicion. As the days go on and he goes public with his pleas for information on his wife's disappearance he becomes subject to intense scrutiny which exposes that not only was his marriage in tough times after moving to Missouri from New York but he was also cheating on his wife with a much younger woman.
Half way through the movie we find out the truth about what has happened to Amy. I will not spoil it by telling you here.
A, frankly, disturbing look at a relationship that has gone sour with both Nick and Amy hardly a picture postcard couple. Both have their flaws and here we are shown those flaws quite vividly but also the reason why things have turned out the way they have. We are shown their relationship from the very beginning and the circumstances and actions that brought them to where they are today.
The ending is, as might be expected, also disturbing and makes one doubt (if one needs to) how many modern marriages are all a sham. No, it does not have you leaving the cinema skipping and jumping with the joy of life.
The characters are very believable though I have to say I did find things often quite confusing. Likely this is the transition of the book to the screen with detail being skipped over or omitted entirely (or perhaps, during the flight where I saw this, I was just tired…).
I can't say I found this movie something I would want to see again but it was certainly interesting to watch as the solution to the mystery of where Amy has gotten to unfolds. I also cannot say I had a great deal of empathy with Amy or Nick which meant it was difficult to watch - Not really liking anyone on the screen (the cops with their blatant prejudice, the plastic neighbours, the cringe-worthy talk show host…).
Disturbing. Shocking. Lots of sex. Violence too. Certainly not boring.
Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”
Review Date: 2015-01-23
Directed by: David Fincher
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Year: 2014
Length: 149 minutes
Genre: Melodrama
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267998/
Other reviewed films by David Fincher:
- Fight Club (1999)