Review: Gone Girl

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Snapped.

The premise of Gone Girl is simple. Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) comes home one day to find his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing. But the story is anything but.

I've read the book and I won't spoil anything here, but I will say this: There were rumors that director David Fincher was going to change up the 3rd act, and even the controversial ending. Well, the 3rd act is a little different, but the ending is intact. Though they did leave out the best line, and that kind of surprised me. At first, I was excited at the prospect of a different ending directed by Fincher. I hate/loved the ending of Gone Girl. I hated it, because it's so un-fucking-believable and maybe for one I wanted something tied up with a neat little bow at the end, but I loved it because it was different. Now I'm glad the original one stayed, and I've come to love it more as time went on. 

Fincher was the perfect director for this film. He dropped hints here and there. Everything was framed expertly. There was a shot of Nick and Amy's cat watching the reporter's flashbulbs through the window that I found particularly beautiful, as simple as that sounds. Then there's Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score. So simple, yet so brilliant. 

Let's talk about the cast. I cannot get over how perfect they were. I'm usually not to keen on Affleck as an actor, but he was great as Nick. Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit, (the detectives), David Clennon and Lisa Banes, (Amy's stuck up parents) Casey Wilson, (the Dunne's annoying neighbor, Noelle) and Neil Patrick Harris (Amy's old rich friend) were all perfectly cast. I was nervous about Tyler Perry and Emily Ratajkowski. Emily isn't an actress, and Tyler Perry is well...Tyler Perry. But they actually did wonderful as well. Perry even made me laugh a few times.

There's two performers I need to single out in particular though. Carrie Coon as Margo Dunne is the first. She's Nick's twin sister and was my favorite character in the novel. She's wonderful here. She's brass, funny, and heartbreaking at times. She really brought Margo to life and it's easy to see why Nick loves hanging out with her so much. Then there's Rosamund Pike. She's perfect as Amy. Oh my God, does she steal the show. I wish I could go into her performance and what she's like throughout, but I don't want to ruin anything.  Just know that she can be scared, lovey-dovey, determined, and even a little funny at times. Seriously Pike made me laugh here and there. Nothing Amy said was funny in the books.

Wow this got long.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: A+

Memorable Quote: "I specialize in fucked up." - Tanner Bolt (Tyler Perry)

Comments

  1. rhysgdruryOctober 5, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    Great review Brittani - I like how you touched on the 'simplicity' of the direction and score, as I thought that stood out for me too. The direction was gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 5, 2014 at 9:35 AM

      Thank you! Yes, everything was gorgeous about this film.

      Delete
  2. Candice FrederickOctober 5, 2014 at 12:51 PM

    I think EVERYONE (outside of Tyler Perry) is so very perfect in the film. so so so good. I knew Ben would make an excellent Nick. He didn't disappoint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 5, 2014 at 5:46 PM

      Perry was definitely the weakest link, but he didn't bomb like I thought he would. Affleck was perfect.

      Delete
  3. Angela's Anxious LifeOctober 5, 2014 at 1:27 PM

    This makes me really want to see the film! I am not one for scary/thriller movies in the theater so I am going to wait until it hits DVD. I will for sure watch it then.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 5, 2014 at 5:47 PM

      I don't think it's scary at all, or even a thriller. It's just a mystery.

      Delete
  4. s.October 5, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    Oh but Amy's 'I love it, what and idiot' and 'good dog' were funny lines from the book :)

    So glad you liked this so much, I cannot wait to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ruthOctober 5, 2014 at 6:38 PM

    I still haven't got a chance to see it but yeah, it'll get top marks from me too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. annie_JOctober 5, 2014 at 9:36 PM

    Agreeagreeagree!! I honestly liked the ending much more translated on film than I did in the book. The film gives the ending a brevity that I think it needs, instead of the long, hashed out game of wits that strings you along at the end of the book. Such a pretty movie. Hope it wins everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 5, 2014 at 10:58 PM

      Me too. I just wish "You have to wake up every morning and be you" would've made it in there.

      Delete
  7. Angela NiteOctober 5, 2014 at 10:59 PM

    Great review Brittani! I'm drafting mine right now as well. I love what you said about how perfectly fitting Fincher was for the material. A truly great film.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousOctober 7, 2014 at 3:48 AM

    Can't wait.. can't wait.. omg. Can't wait to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Alex WithrowOctober 7, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    YES! So glad you loved this one so much. I'm right there with you, everything about Gone Girl worked for me. Rosamund Pike... forget about it. Woman is a powerhouse. She completely owned this film. I can't wait to see this one again and dive right back into its frenzy.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 8, 2014 at 5:56 AM

      Oh, I know. I've love to see this again. They need to give Rosamund an Oscar nomination for sure. She deserves it.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousOctober 9, 2014 at 11:44 AM

    Great review, Brittani! I am still so confused about this film, but I absolutely agree about the casting being fantastic. Margo was my favourite, too, and Rosamund and... heh, everyone else were perfect, too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. NikaOctober 15, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    Great review Brittani, agree about the ending. I loved the book version and the final line, Nick saying, whatever he's saying was just jaw-dropping. While I also enjoyed the movie version, I'd prefer if they went the original way.

    The rest is just perfect, from bottom to top. And Rosamund, in my opinion, is perfect Amy. Can't imagine anyone doing it better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 15, 2014 at 10:12 AM

      Neither can I. I've seen that Reese Witherspoon really wanted to play Amy, but Rosamund was perfect. Reese could not have done that.

      Delete
  12. .October 15, 2014 at 4:11 PM

    The part where the cat is watching the flashing lights is my favorite part, ahha. It was cute and shot really well.
    I refused to read your review before watching the film, so I think it's funny that we both thought Coon was so great and she gave a "funny" and "Heartbreaking" performance. I just typed up a few thought just now and I almost feel like such a plagiarist(unintentionally of course), ahha.
    Great review!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 16, 2014 at 6:54 AM

      lol. It's okay, I think a lot of bloggers feel the same way, so we've all probably said it. I'm glad someone else liked that shot of the cat!

      Delete
  13. JoshDecember 2, 2014 at 2:27 PM

    I didn't love it as much as you did, but it was pretty great. Still, I had some problems with the tone and overly ridiculous plot developments. NPH was kind of distracting, but I love the other performances.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamDecember 3, 2014 at 7:16 AM

      I loved the book, so I was destined to love the film.

      Delete
  14. Top rated Alaska Real Estate for saleJuly 27, 2015 at 12:27 AM

    As Fincher and Flynn peel away layers of their story, a feeling of dread grows; it's like pulling moldy leaves from an artichoke that is rotting from the inside out.

    ReplyDelete

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