Friday 18 February 2011

The Social Network

**
The Social Network brings to mind Zodiac, also directed by David Fincher: a boring film that has no conclusion. It did, however, have a thrilling back story, gorgeous seventies detail and hey, Robert Downey Jr. Sadly, The Social Network has no such merits. It is simply a boring film that has no conclusion.

The subject matter is woefully slight – namely, the creation of Facebook and the lawsuits surrounding it. Yes, I know. ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz……. Last stop Snoozeville Central. It is subject matter deserving of a TV movie shown on Five on a weekday afternoon. But this one’s made by an A-list writer, an A-list director, a cast that can act, and $40 mill behind them.

Rich privileged kids are just not interesting. They are hopelessly uncool and have no edge. The law suits are painfully dull. Sadly, we don’t hear a single “Objection, Your Honour!” I’m half-joking. It’s not even a courtroom. There is no judge, just legal teams facing off, and Jessie Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg) mumbling supposedly funny lines while looking distracted in a supposedly “multi-layered” (make that oscar-nominated) performance. Just to burst another bubble, he’s exactly the same as he is in Zombieland and The Squid and the Whale (far superior flicks, by the way) and any other time he’s opened his mouth infront of a camera.

Basically, I only went because it’s important to me that I see every Best Picture nominee. I wasn’t even expecting that much. I just hadn’t anticipated two hours of such soul-destroying tedium. At one point Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker) says “you know what is cool? A billion dollars”. Made me think, you know what is cool? Fight Club or Se7en. Obviously, Fincher shouldn’t take all the blame The brilliant Aaron Sorkin has given a miraculous polish to a turd of an idea.

Don’t believe the hype.

5 comments:

  1. Will just unfriended The Social Network.

    I don't quite understand your need to have independent, individual opinions on films Will. Society has already deemed this film to be worthy and great and now you stride into town with your own conflicting opinions.
    Ancient Jacket Potato Phillip French loved this film, how am I supposed to regale dinner parties with other peoples opinions passed off as my own if, if everyone starts offering conflicting views.

    Shame on you for forcing me to actually watch a film,

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  2. My world has been turned upside down and my mind is clouded! Bill Clay you ARE my favourite film critic. I should have guessed you never watch any films when you recently described The White Ribbon as "the Jumanji of this generation".

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  3. Is 'White Ribbon' the black and White remake of Christopher Reeve's 'Village of The Damned'?

    You misquote me Mr Goodchild I would never compare any film with 'Jumamji'...... it is simply in-comparable/un-comparable/non-comparable and alongside Guy Rich-Teas Revolver, Wild Hogs, White Chicks & Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous makes Bill Clay's top five movies ever of all time this year.

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  4. I'm not even sure about the Sorkin script. It is witty, smart and brimming with ideas, but the actual dialogue? Which 20 year old talks like that? Not even Harvard ones I'll wager. I wasn't as bored as you were Will, but I certainly think it's very over rated.

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  5. Finally seen this filum.

    Not terrible by any means but nowhere near classic. I can't help but feel that a combination of the talent involved and that despite the zeitgeisty subject matter, it wasn't terrible combined to gain it such positive reviews. Can't imagine ever wanting to watch this again.

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