GONE GIRL (2014) review: "Chasing Amy..."

You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's...

GONE GIRL is a 2014 film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, directed by the celebrated David Fincher and written by the original author of the book the film is based upon, Gillian Flynn. The film entails Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, a man whose life is turned upside down when his wife's (Rosamund Pike) disappearance has excessive media attention and are led to believe that he is responsible for her aforementioned disappearance. 

----------

Gone Girl joins Nightcrawler amongst the best films of 2014 with this brutal story about what was once thought of as a simple life.

Ben Affleck takes what is initially the main role of the film, Nick Dunne, the unassuming husband of the missing Amy. Ben Affleck delivers a strong performance, consisting of a suave and smug personality, finding light within a dark subject matter, which leads to the media's suspicions that he is her kidnapper. He takes the material that he is given and makes a solid performance out of it, even if his material restricts him to being the slightly dopey husband, the perfect person for a set-up. He plays the part to its strengths and does it exceptionally well.

Rosamund Pike then takes the title role of the film, the "Gone Girl", the equally unassuming "victim" and wife of Nick Dunne who is by far the best performance that this film has to offer, the incredibly intelligent, sociopathic seductress who is hell-bent on framing her husband for her murder, for treating her wrongly, being unfaithful to their marriage. One second she is Amazing Amy, the next she is the opposite. When you see her character on-screen, you don't know what she is going to do next with her twisted motives. You feel her frustration with Nick, whilst at the same time being detached from her because what she is, is downright insane. She plays a cat and mouse game with Nick, with her attempting to run from the media until Nick is successfully framed and Nick appeals to her through the same thing that is trying to execute him. It is a incredible performance from Rosamund Pike.

"She may be the reason I survive..."

Neil Patrick Harris takes the third of the four top billing cast members as Desi Collings, Amy's ex, and eventually the fall guy, literally undergoing the knife as Amy's devilish plan unfolds. Harris also delivers a solid performance as par with any David Fincher film, you can just tell the kind of person that Desi is going to be by looking at his face. Sly and with a slimy motive, shameless in whatever shameful act he wishes to attempt. That act being to rekindle his relationship with Amy, which as aforementioned, backfires horribly. Neil Patrick Harris portrays his character admirably.

The final of the four top billing cast members, Tyler Perry as Nick Dunne's attorney to help him throughout the case, Tanner Bolt. Tyler Perry was initially my only scepticism that I had with Gone Girl going into it, but I came out of the film pleasantly surprised. Tyler Perry is a very capable actor whilst under Fincher's control - unlike in some of his own films like the seasonal A Madea Christmas or in general his Madea franchise. Please don't watch those for the sake of your humanity. Back on-topic, is that Perry plays his role well, being some of the comic relief within the film, often cracking some light-hearted quirks whilst displaying his intelligence as his attorney and all round very casual. You believe that it is his job that he has done for a while. Good on you, Tyler Perry.

"I swear - you two are the most fucked up people I've ever known, and I specialise in fucked up."

Before moving on, I cannot forget to mention the rest of the cast within this film because they all show some great performances, notably Kim Dickens as the sympathetic detective, Rhonda Boney, as well as Carrie Coon as Nick's twin sister, Margo. They both really do show some top of the line acting.

The look and stylisation is as always with a Fincher film - incredible. Jeff Cronenweth delivers some immaculate cinematography, similar to his other works with Fincher such as Fight Club, The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Each individual shot having a dark undertone to them, often with characters' physique or facial expression shrouded in shadows, and even with a limited colour palette, it displays some striking visuals, which makes it all the more effective and enjoyable due to its effectiveness.

"Smile."

The writing is expectedly good, that obviously being how it was written by the author of the book that the film was based on, Gillian Flynn. Dialogue flows nicely between characters, with plenty of articulate ramblings for both Nick and Amy, as well as natural dialogue between Nick and his sister, they talk casually around one another, sinking in that they have had a life-long relationship. What else would you expect from her own fictional baby?

The direction by David Fincher is of course as meticulous as it has always been, with one of the films producers stating that on average, scenes took as many as 50 takes to be considered completed. You can tell he has obviously gotten the best out of each of the actors that he has worked with on this film, you can tell how he has nailed all of the actors' expressions and gestures down to a fault - exactly as he wanted and it really adds to the quality of the film. He still remains one of the best and most influential directors still making films.

This leads us to the final piece of the puzzle, the score. From Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor and his long time partner Atticus Ross comes yet another moody, ambient and downright atmospheric score. They have also worked with Fincher twice before on both The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, marking their third collaboration. The entire score that plays throughout the film is just perfect for this film, a soothing sound that somehow unleashes anxiety upon listening. Unnerving being the word to describe it. It accentuates the more brutal scenes in Gone Girl, and even the lesser scenes, to ensure that it leaves its mark. 

Overall, Gone Girl is stylish and beyond gripping, a thriller that is willing to stand strong amongst some of the best, and will definitely keep you thinking about it for days or even weeks after watching it. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a sleek and well-made thriller or to those who are fans of Fincher's past works such as Se7en, as this is sure to please.

"Man of my dreams - this man of mine... may kill me."