The Social Network

Oct 13, 2010
By Laurence Boyce

 Director: David Fincher

When David Fincher first announced that he was making a movie based upon the creation of Facebook and the subsequent legal drama that ensued, the general reaction was one of disbelief. A Facebook movie? Whatever next? A musical about My Space? An opera about Google? But Fincher – best known for films such as Fight Club and Seven – has confounded the critics to create an almost Shakespearean drama about loyalty, ethics and friendship.

Mark Zuckerberg is a precocious Harvard student who hacks the college computer network after breaking up with his girlfriend. His antics bring him to the attention of the Winklevoss twins, who want him to help on a fantastic idea they’ve had for a website, one that will help connect students across campus. But Zuckerberg has his sights set on bigger things and, with the help of his friend Eduardo Saverin, creates ‘thefacebook.com’. As the site explodes in popularity, Zuckerberg and his colleagues begin to taste the life of celebrity with all the money and fame that it brings.

But popularity breeds jealousy and Zuckerberg finds himself in the middle of numerous lawsuits. But has he brought the problems on himself?
Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, best known for “The West Wing,” gives everyone plenty of fast and witty dialogue that belies the ‘technogeek’ nature of the film. Indeed, whilst there are plenty of moments where characters spout off about servers and algorithms, they’re kept few and far between, as we’re dropped into a story that examines how pride always comes before a fall. Fincher’s direction is compelling, with a structure that interweaves the past and present, with Zuckerberg’s rise to the top juxtaposed with his legal battles with former friends and colleagues.

Jesse Eisenberg is excellent in the lead role combining a nerdish innocence with a towering arrogance whilst he’s ably supported by the likes of Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake.
Even if you’ve never touched a computer in your life, you’ll find plenty to be fascinated by in this movie, as it shows that, whilst technology may be moving fast, the human capacity for hubris will always remain the same.

Now showing in all three countries.

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