Gillian Flynn is a very interesting writer, her tales (Dark Places, Gone Girl) have an interesting intensity about them and reveal the dark and twisted places our minds can lead us. David Fincher gave us one of the best horror films of all time, Se7en. When these two icons are combined, you get one of the best thrillers to hit cinemas in years. If you did not read the book, be prepared to be wowed.
Gone Girl is one of the few films I've seen this year that I have little to complain about. Book adaptations are always difficult in the ways a book is written can sometimes not transfer over well into film. Errors that a film adaptation can make is sticking to closely to the book or veering to off course from the source material. David and Gillian take a page out of the Hunger Games text book on how to do an adaptation right. Gillian changes some aspects of the story in the adaptation in order for it to suit and entertain a filmgoer and David makes sure the main themes and important plots and characters are given their due.
As in the book, the story is told through the points of few of Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy (Rosamund Pike). When a book is told in such a manner it gives the filmmaker the opportunity to craft new scenes that the characters did not witness. In Gone Girl Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) and Officer Jim Gilpin (Patrick Fugit) who made little impact in the story have a bigger role in the film. They have a very bonding and somewhat comical relationship, which gives the movie some of its lighter tones. Margo Dunne (Carrie Coon) is also a light of comic relief within the film. I adore both Kim and Carrie in this, they are superb in their roles and make the characters feel authentic and true to the source material.
As for the films leads, Rosamund Pike steals the show. She redefines herself in this film by playing the at first innocent victim, there is a twist that changes our perception of her and Rosamund is up for the challenge, going full force in the character's drive. Ben Affleck is also solid as Nick Dunne, the man who becomes the prime suspect in the case of his missing wife. As for the rest of the cast, Tyler Perry nails it as Nick's attorney, acting the way I imagined he would. Sela Ward and Missi Pyle are terrific as the head female media tycoons who want to get the big scoop on Nick and Amy. Both actresses are perfectly cast in the roles, I am a huge fan of Sela Ward and was very excited to see her in this. Neil Patrick Harris was a unique choice to play the part of Amy's stalker. I would say out of everyone, besides Rosamund Pike, his role was the toughest and he pulled it off. He was very believable in the part and hid his true motives well.
As for the scoring of the film, Trent Reznor proves yet again that he can craft atmosphere. His score works brilliantly with every scene and captures the tense suspense and shocking twists that occur within the framework of the story.
The script was very top notch, as written by the book's author Gillian Flynn. She and David were able to stay true to the source material while fixing up the framework of the story to make it suitable for film. Its down amazingly well as it hits all the parts you loved in the book.
The ending rings true to the themes of the novel, and I won't reveal how this new ending works but it gets the movie's main theme across about marriage infidelity and the influence of the media.
Gone Girl is another David Fincher classic, and with the help of Gillian Flynn and an all star cast this is a powerhouse thriller thats the perfect halloween treat.
Rating: A+
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