GONE GIRL

Reviewed by Paul Gibbs

GRADE: A+

Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, Scoot McNairy

Screenplay by Gillian Flynn (Based on her novel)

Directed by David Fincher

Rated R (violence, sex, nudity, profanity, vulgarity)

Gone Girl is the sort of film that forces me to point out that a straight-up rave review is not necessarily the same thing as an across-the-board recommendation. I have no reservations in declaring acclaimed director David Fincher's newest film one of his best, and one of the best films of the year. But no, it's not for everybody. It's harsh in content and dark in its themes, and takes a cynical look at the institution of marriage (though you don't have to agree with its view to be intrigued by the insight).

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) is likable guy who runs a bar in North Carthage, Missouri. On the morning of his fifth anniversary, his beautiful wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) disappears. When detectives come to investigate Nick's home, they find signs of a struggle, and more and more the details of Nick's story don't seem to add up. As the case grabs headlines across the country, suspicious eyes are cast on Nick, making him "the most hated man in America". Meanwhile, excerpts from Amy's diary (played out onscreen) show a marriage that began as a fairy tale romance and descended to a point where Amy admitted "I am afraid of my husband."

Novelist Gillian Flynn has crafted a first-rate screenplay from her best-selling book, and has found the perfect director in David Fincher, whose dark, character oriented sensibilities elevate this dramatic thriller into the rare level of actually deserving comparison with some of the best films of Alfred Hitchcock. Fincher's visual and technical brilliance combine with gifts for storytelling, characterization and pacing to create a film that is completely gripping from beginning to end, even if you do know the film's second act twist going in (as I did).  And Fincher has assembled a superb cast. Affleck gives what may very well be the best performance of his career to date, anchoring the film with a confident, natural and layered characterization that exudes leading man charisma and yet is unsettling with the dark side lurking beneath the surface. This film definitively settles that Affleck is capable of showing greatness in front of the camera, not just behind it. Gigli was 10 years ago. Let it go.

But the revelation is Rosamund Pike as Amy. Pike has been more than adequate as a fairly generic leading lady in films such as Die Another Day and Jack Reacher, but her performances here is miles above anything we've seen her do before, and is likely to become one of the most iconic characters seen onscreen this year. She is the epitome of the Hitchcock blonde here, and her mesmerizing presence, range and ability to command the screen are first class, all the way. She's a shoe-in for an Academy Award nomination, and can be expected to be a highly sought after presence over the next couple of the years.

Supporting players such as Neil Patrick Harris (as vaguely creepy former boyfriend of Amy's) and Carrie Coon (as Nick's devoted twin sister) also shine. Easily the biggest surprise is Tyler Perry as Nick's lawyer, Tanner Bolt. The Madea star has never been taken very seriously as actor, and justifiably so, but Fincher has cast him so perfectly here that his oily charm and "look at me" performer charisma more than carry him through. Much like Justin Timberlake in The Social Network, this is a larger than life character that needed a larger than life presence, but not one who was interesting enough to pull focus away from the leads. Kudos to Fincher on another eccentric casting triumph.

Despite being quite a disturbing dramatic thriller, Gone Girl is also full of some very funny dark comedy. Comparing it to previous Fincher films, the ones that come to mind are the excellent performances and brilliant dialogue of The Social Network mixed with the dark intensity and realism of Zodiac. It's a huge bounce back from his so-so The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and reaffirms his status as one of the best directors working in Hollywood today.

In summary, this is a genuine work of art and a near perfect film, and though its appeal and acclaim are likely to be wide spread, it's definitely aimed at a particular audience, and definitely not aimed at another.  If you read this review and think "That doesn't sound like my kind of movie," you're probably right. This movie pushes the boundaries the same way classic Hitchcock did, but a lot of time has passed, and the boundaries have gone a lot further. Gone Girl is not a sleazy, torrid, Basic Instinct style film by any means: everything you see here is there for a reason that can be justified artistically and the story really could not be adequately told without it. But is is there. But it is very adult, in the true sense of the term. This is a very R-rated film, and if you have a tendency toward squeamishness with bluntly portrayed content, you are better of looking for lighter fare.