I read Gone Girl based on my girlfriend Sarah’s recommendation; she was adamant it was one of the best things she’d ever read. I’d just finished an underwhelming detective story - The Cuckoo’s Calling, published under J.K. Rowling’s male pseudonym Robert Galbraith, and was hardly looking forward to starting another novel that seemed to stem from the same genre. Nevertheless, at Sarah's insistence, I decided to pick Gone Girl up and I’m glad I did. From start to finish, it is a riveting read. The twists and turns keep you guessing all the way through its disturbing conclusion, but what really made Gone Girl so special were its spectacular characters and refreshing sense of humor. Gillian Flynn immediately shot to the heights of my favorite authors, (which, in case you’re wondering, should be considered quite an honor for any hardworking author) and Gone Girl became one of my all-time favorite books.
Of course, part of my motivation for reading Gone Girl sooner rather than later was driven by my knowledge of the film adaptation. I knew David Fincher was attached to direct and with him would come his reliable crew, but it’s harder for me to go back and read a book after seeing its cinematic adaptation. I was a bit nervous about how the novel, which alternates back and forth between its two leads' perspectives, would translate. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Gillian Flynn would be penning the screenplay, adapting from her own work. The final product is a superb thriller. If it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its source material, it’s no matter; it’s still masterful filmmaking and one of the year's best films.
Nick and Amy Dunne are your standard, good-looking, hip and happening young married couple. They’ve just reached their fifth anniversary and Nick is gearing up for another one of Amy’s traditional, romantic scavenger hunts. He gets more than he bargained for when he arrives at home to find his wife is missing and evidence of a violent struggle. Naturally, Nick is singled out as the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance and his life begins a downward spiral that will reveal all kinds of fun goodies about their not-so-perfect relationship.
If you’re worried I’ll reveal any of the shocking developments of Gone Girl’s plot, don’t fret; I would never dare spoil the delightfully disturbed twists and turns that await you. All you need to know is you will have a grand old time falling down this topsy-turvy rabbit hole. The whole concept of marriage and the concept of what makes a successful one is ripped to shreds, its innards examined in intricate detail for all to see. And make no mistake, Nick and Amy Dunne’s relationship is one that demands to be seen.
Everyone involved with this film from cast to crew fire are firing on all cylinders. Flynn’s screenplay is incredibly faithful to her source material, but not too a fault. Flynn has a strong understanding of the nature of cinematic storytelling and adapts her novel to meet those standards in a way that makes the material feel fresh and invigorated. Her twisted sense of humor thankfully remains intact.
Ben Affleck’s performance as Nick Dunne goes down as a career best and one of my favorite performances of 2014. Rosamund Pike is excellent as Amy Dunne, though I did feel a nagging disappointment at her rather disconnected portrayal of the character. There isn’t as much of an element of the fun-loving ‘cool girl’ she was when she and Nick first met each other and it makes her character less empathetic. Still, Pike’s performance is sure to garner some way overdue Oscar favor. The supporting cast is equally superb. Carrie Coon’s performance as Nick’s sister Margo and Tyler Perry’s as celebrity lawyer Tanner Bolt were my particular favorites, and Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit as the officers first assigned to Amy’s case are fantastic. Also, gotta love Neil Patrick Harris as a creepy ex-boyfriend.
On a technical level Gone Girl is glorious, which shouldn't be much of a surprise when you consider the talent behind the camera. It might not reach the highest ranks of Fincher’s filmography, but that’s not really a complaint considering the sheer breadth of modern masterpieces he’s directed in the past couple decades. (Alien 3 is definitely at the top of that list.…Sorry, I thought that would be funnier than it really is.) Fincher brings his top-notch crew with him as well, which includes the likes of Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth (Get this man an Oscar already!), Editor Kirk Baxter and the haunting musical stylings of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Everything meshes splendidly, resulting in a glorious, hypnotizing viewing experience.
It doesn’t matter if you have or haven’t read Gone Girl; David Fincher’s adaptation is going to wow you either way. It’s yet another worthy entry in his filmography and a fine notch on the belts of everyone involved. (Affleck’s career continues its impressive upward swing) Expect to see it on many a top-ten films of 2014 list as the year winds down and to be a front-runner for recognition come awards season. This is thrilling cinematic entertainment at its finest.
FINAL RATING: 4.5/5
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