BOY MEETS GIRL // A FILM REVIEW OF "GONE GIRL"

BY CHRISENA RICCI

About a week ago I shuffled into the nearest theatre to seek refuge from the depressing drizzle that is truly unique to New York City post- holiday season.  I was looking forward to spending a couple of hours gazing into that silver screen and I was specifically excited to see my chosen flick, GONE GIRL.

I was hooked from the opening scene. At first, the plot seems simple. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy loses girl. Sort of.

We meet Nick Dunne (Ben Afleck) who seems to be a simple Midwestern man consumed in a failing marriage with his picture perfect wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike). When Amy goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Nick finds himself in the center of a tangled web of half-truths with every finger pointing in his direction. He must then embark on a complicated hunt for a chance at redemption by following the mysterious clues left by his missing wife.

The all-star cast, that includes Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, does not disappoint. The subject matter is tricky, intriguing and entertaining, albeit a bit twisted. It reaches down in the depths of a twisted marriage and holds no punches. The direction by David Fincher (The girl with the dragon tattoo, Fight Club and Seven), was well crafted and highly relatable. Which is truly a feat with these specific characters, all of whom I hope to never meet in real life. I find this one of Fincher’s directorial strong suits. He can take any person that society would condemn as psycho and present the audience with an unbiased look at a character who, in another director’s hands, would be archetypal and stereotypical.

If you are a book junkie, there are a few changes made from the original storyline, written by Gillian Flynn, but none detrimental or even bothersome.  I read the book first, and definitely longed for some of the plot that was left on the cutting room floor, but I really feel as though the edits helped further the story. And if there is one thing this film does well, other than the acting and directing, it’s the storytelling.

CHRISENA'S GRADE: B-

Directed by: David Fincher Screenplay by: Gillian Flynn Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, and Carrie Coon

FINAL THOUGHTS: I would highly recommend this film to anyone interested in a mystery-thriller full of complex characters with intricate relationships. Or to anyone who might just enjoy good movies.

CHRISENA RICCI once went to a costume party dressed in an all black dress and black wig. No one there could guess who she was. So she shouted out, "I'm Christina Ricci, without the T or I and add an E!" Everyone stood there confused, she was annoyed, so she stormed off. She never returned to that apartment ever again. Which is fine, because she later realized she was at the wrong party. She now lives in New York City.

NYFF52 REVIEW: GONE GIRL

BY MATEO MORENO

For anyone and everyone who is worried that the new film adaptation of GONE GIRL won't live up to your memories of the novel let me reassure you: Director David Fincher has crafted one hell of a film here. Sleek and mysterious, pulsating and riveting, it's truly a mark of filmmaking wonder. Luck for us, the film adaptation is done by the novel's writer herself, Gillian Flynn, and she captures the wonder that sat on those pages with sharp and clear strokes. To those who haven't yet read the thrilling page turner, the story follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) as they move from Manhattan to Nick's childhood home of Missouri. One evening, Nick returns home to an open door, shattered glass, and Amy is nowhere to be seen. Amy has suddenly disappeared. The police, led by Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) and Officer Jim Gilpin (Patrick Fugit), begin searching for answers and Nick turns to his sister Margo (Carrie Coon) for support. But what exactly, if anything, is Nick hiding? What will the police find? What did happen to Amy? Well if you've read the novel, you may think you know, but Flynn has shaken up the third act here, so even you are in for a treat.

Fincher creates a world and atmosphere here that is intoxicating; thrilling, bleak, and simmering with mysteries at every turn, with a swelling media circus encompassing everyone. Switching between each day Amy is missing and pages of her diary recounting their life together, GONE GIRL captures you from minute one. Affleck is perfect; quiet and powerful here as a smug man who has trouble convincing the public of his compassion. Pike's performance brims with wonder as we piece together who Amy really was. Carrie Coon turns in fantastic work here as Nick's twin sister Margo. And the large supporting cast, from Kim Dickens to Patrick Fugit, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry (yes, THAT Tyler Perry) all shine from each moment to the next. Kudos as well to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for their haunting score. Even as you learn this town's dirty little secrets, Fincher and Lynne keep you guessing and keep their narrative hand gripping your throat. GONE GIRL does not disappoint, it transcends.

VERDICT: A MUST SEE

Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn Screenplay by Gillian Flynn Directed by David Fincher Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry. CONTENT ADVISORY: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Graphic Violence, Nudity

BOTTOM LINE: Fans of the novel will be pleased and those who haven't read it will go pick it up. Another excellent offering from the master that is David Fincher.