Gone Girl

If you would go back 10 years from now, there was a time when everyone was making fun of Ben Affleck. Especially from his performance in Gigli with Jennifer Lopez. This could have killed his film career, and most people probably though he would never come back. But in 2006, both ctritics and the audience were shocked to see Affleck do a great performance in Hollywoodland. My personal opinion is that Ben Affleck´s best performance so far can be seen in The Town, a very emotional crime drama thriller, directed by Ben Affleck. The scenery of his hometown Boston fit perfect in the plot. Just 2 years after, he delivers again with Argo, based on the true story about U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operative Tony Mendez, who helped 6 diplomats escape from Tehran, Iraq, during the kidnappings in 1979-1981. Ben Affleck directed this time also, and he proved to everyone why he is both a really talented actor and a really good director. People were slowly beginning to understand that Affleck had something special inside of his personality. Director David Fincher is a legendary director, most known for his classic motion pictures Seven, Fight Club, The Social Network among others. One of my personal favourite movies by David Fincher is of course Seven, one of the best thrillers of the 90´s. If i had to choose another film, i would choose Zodiac. This thriller based on the San Fransisco serial killer between the 60´s and 70´s is one of the best thrillers i have seen in many years. Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey, Jr did both splendid as journalists trying to find out the truth. This is a must have on blu ray, so run down and buy yourself a copy. When i read that director David Fincher was going back to the thriller genre, i got really excited. Especially when i read Ben Affleck was the lead actor, i was hoping this combination would turn out as good as i was hoping. Is Gone Girl another classic by this legendary director, or is this one of the mistakes that Fincher should not have decided to make ?

It is the fifth wedding anniversary day between Nick Dunne ( Ben Affleck ) and Amy Elliott-Dunne ( Rosmaund Park ). As Nick arrive at their home on their anniversary day, Amy is nowhere to be found. A glass table is broken, and there is no sign of Amys body. Police is contacted and an investigation is ready to begin. Amy is the beloved author of Children books Amazing Amy, and she is loved by many friends and family members. Nick is already seen as the guilty one, as if he knows what happened to Amy. Detective Rhonda Boney ( Kim Dickens ) finds evidence that suggest the couple had economical problems, but that´s not all. There is also evidence that Amy was pregnant, something Nick denies have any knowledge of. As the investigation continues to find out what happened to Amy, new clues is about to come forward that everything might not be as simple as it seemed.

I realise that some people might not agree with what i am about to say, so i choose to say it anyway. The first hour of Gone Girl is simply boring. This does not mean it is a bad first hour, it is just so drawn out that i wished Ben Affleck could show more anger, and show his emotions more. You are supposed to think for yourself why he is not showing more emotions, and at this moment i think it would have been nice to see some deeper emotions about the situation. If my wife would be kidnapped, i don´t know how i would deal with the situation, if i could eat, or get any sleep. On that emotional level i feel that director David Fincher should have digged deeper, and shown us more darkness. But the best is about to come. The last hour shifts over to a completely different motion picture. Everything you thought could have happened is the complete opposite, and this is where Gone Girl becomes much better. And this is all thanks to Rosamund Pike. Her acting abilities really explode here, i have never seen her this good so far in a motion picture. She is the biggest reason why you should see Gone Girl, simply outstanding. Ben Affleck is good, no doubt about that, but not on the same level as in The Town or as in Argo. This means we could have had something more powerful from his performance, and he does not start to show it until the last hour, while the film is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Gone Girl is a fascinating thriller, in a genre that have been done many times. But what makes this one different is the complete turn, with a different plot you would not expect. This proofs why David Fincher is such a talented director, he knows what he wants, and when he delivers he makes sure you feel it. I would still say that Seven and Zodiac are better thrillers, still this is a solid film with very good performances. With a more intensive beginning, and a deeper portrait of Ben Afflecks character, i would have given a higher rating. Still i feel this is a film worth watching, with a very good ending ( how often does that happen ? ). I was hoping Gone Girl would knock me out of joy, the final results does not reach that high, but i still enjoyed myself, especially the final hour. David Fincher have still got it, i am already looking forward to his next project.

Rating: DDD