The Social Network

Facehooked

The Social Network is David Fincher's first movie since 2008's snoozefest that was 'The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button'. Thankfully there is no room for yawning with his latest offering.

In 2003 Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is a highly intellectual computer whiz studying at Harvard. After being deservedly dumped by his girlfriend he hastily decides to create a website rating the attractiveness of the local female students by hacking into databases. He names the site 'Facemash', an action that initially has hilarious results and causes a frenzied excitement around the campus.

Zuckerberg becomes a local hero and catches the eye of the wealthy Winklenoss twins, Harvard's star members of the rowing team. They approach Zuckerberg with a pitch on how to further develop 'Facemash'. He accepts on the spot and sets about the redevelopment. Zuckerberg however, has his own ideas and with the help of his best pal Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) he creates 'Facebook'.

Saverin agrees to to finance the initial launch and take a 30% shareholding. Zuckerberberg would be the main shareholder and the brains behind the site. 'Facebook' goes live successfully throughout the main American universities and eventually across the pond to the UK and most of Europe.

During his time developing the site, Zuckerberg has been ignoring all contact attempts made by the Winklenoss twins, who are obviously livid and feel he stole their original idea. They eventually decide to sue.

Zuckerberg and Saverin are introduced by a mutual friend to the charming Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Parker was co-founder of Napster, an on-line live music sharing service established in 1999 but closed down in 2001 due to copyright violations. He is broke but still living the highlife and has an unusual interest in Zuckerberg and 'Facebook'.

Zuckerberg is naively taken in by Parker, whereas Saverin is sceptical of his sinister character and his overeager interest.

From here on in there are shady dealings, wrongdoings, drug busts, treachery, disloyalty and two court cases. All because of greed and fame.

In this case, Fame soon becomes Notoriety and there are several culprits contributing to this.

For many reasons, it's difficult not to feel sorry for both Zuckerberg and Saverin. What is apparent is that all the academic know how doesn't always carry you in the real world - billionaire or not.

The performances are all good and Justin Timberlake can actually act! Eisenberg and Garfield are excellent as the young talented entrepreneurs.

'The Social Network' will definitely appeal more to Facebook users, especially seeing where Zuckerberg get's the inspiration for Facebook's many tools. It doesn't look at all like a Fincher directed movie but that is neither a criticism nor a compliment. It's always exciting to see what he brings to the screen and he doesn't disappoint here.

So why not Facebook your mates and arrange to see it for yourself!!!

Score: 9/10

The Town

Boston Illegal....

Ben Affleck has had an erratic career since his Oscar win for original screenplay in 1997 for Good Will Hunting. Along the way he's had duds like 'Gigli' and 'Jersey Girl' to name but a few. In recent years he would be more likely to be a Golden Raspberry nominee than an Oscar nominee. That all changed in 2007 when he turned his hand to writing and directing his first feature film 'Gone Baby Gone'. It went on to have both critical and commercial success.

'The Town' his second directorial offering is once again sat in in Affleck's birth place of Boston. It centres around four working class bank robbers. Affleck plays Doug MacRay, the ringleader who's father is serving life in prison for similar crimes to his son. MacRay (Affleck) has a major hang up over his childhood. His mother abandoned him at an early age and his father never fully explained why!

During a botched heist, the gang temporarily take a female bank manager called Claire (Rebecca Hall) hostage. Upon her release they decide to monitor her movements for a couple of weeks to give themselves peace of mind. MacRay decides to take on this task.
Inevitably, a love story of sorts evolves. MacRay is looking to escape from his violent/criminal life and yearns to leave Boston for Florida with Claire. She is beautiful and educated and seems to fit the criteria for his new beginnings.

His right hand man and childhood friend James (Jeremy Renner) throws a spanner in the works. He has other plans about his friend absconding to Florida for a quiet life. He demands MacRay do one last job in lieu of favours owed to him. MacRay has a dilemna, does he run out on his pal who has stood by him all his life or does he risk his dream of an idyllic future on one last heist.

'The Town' is generally fast paced and is at it's most engrossing when Renner is on screen. He was, in my opinion the reason 'The Hurt Locker' was elevated to and Oscar award level. The same may just apply for this movie. Things do fall flat at times when Affleck and Hall share the screen as there is very little chemistry. The last half hour is thrilling with car chases and shoot out scenes, and culminates in MacRay uncovering the real reason his mother walked out on him and how he goes about avenging the source.

There are a couple of strong supporting performances, notably Blake Lively who tears her 'Gossip Girl' character to shreds playing a drug addict and the wonderful Chris Cooper as MacRay's estranged imprisoned father.

As an actor Ben Affleck can be whiney and wooden and has to work hard to demand screen presence. However, as a writer/director he seems to have found his niche. He has once again delivered an original, entertaining drama.

It seems that 'Gone Baby Gone' was not a fluke!

Score: 7/10