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.

AT ANY PRICE - TRIBECA REVIEW

BY MATEO MORENO

There are some performers in the world that, although very good in their youth, seem to just get better and better with age.  Sean Connery fits that bill. Helen Mirren does as well. As does Dennis Quaid. As a young man, he was dashing and charming, often playing off his natural good looks. As he's aged he's held info his looks but deepened as an actor, taking on roles more challenging and characters more morally complex.  Such is the case of his portrayal of the scheming family man Henry Whipple in the new drama AT ANY PRICE.

Whipple runs a midsize seed-farming business, something that has been passed down to gun by his father he'd like to pass onto his children. However good he is at the business, and he is, he's also just as dirty, not above showing up to funerals and offering to take the deceased's land off of their family's hands. He's added day to day by his wife, played by Kim Dickens but his children want nothing to do with the farm.  One is off climbing mountains, only occasionally writing a postcard.  The other is his son Dean (Zac Efron) who wants to race in NASCAR. When Henry's own dirty dealings catch up with him he's forced to reevaluate what's important to him and what he's willing to loose.

Director Ramin Bahrani (MAN PUSH CART) has created a Shakespearian esque tale here, building on the everyday drama of a scheming man, having those actions catch up to him, and slowing seeing everything unravel. Quaid is spectacular as Henry, both doing despicable things and showing his truly nurturing side as well.  He's a complex man and Quaid turns in an equally complex performance.  Dickens shines in a less showy role as his long suffering wife, turning shades of "Lady MacBeth" in the last act.  As the racecar driving son, Zac Efron pull in a subdued, crafted performance that suffers a bit in the middle of the film as the character wanders a bit everywhere.  But all three actors, along with several supporting peformances, shine brightly in the film.  At Any Price is a film that grows on you.  I do feel it's directed with great subtlety and the actors shine throughout.  Yet, the file feels at a distance the entire time.  The final act seems to come from a different film, even though that was in my opinion the most riviting section.  It goes very dark very quickly but the pay off is great.  Although I can't fully recommend the film as a whole, there are many great things about it, and the performances deserve to be seen.

VERDICT: ON THE FENCE

Written by Hallie Elizabeth Newton, Ramin bahrani Directed by Ramin Bahrani Starring Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Kim Dickens, Heather Graham, Clancy Brown, Chelcie Ross Country USA Content Disclaimer (Adult Situations, Adult Language, Violence)  For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets

BOTTOM LINE: Disjointed and feels like it's two separate films by the end.  Messy, but an intriguing film nonetheless.