Photo source: Regency Enterprises
Rating: 9
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Ben Afflek, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris
On September 26, 2014, Gone Girl starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike premiered in movie theaters. The film is based on the critically acclaimed book Gone Girl by New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn so this mystery thriller had already claimed a large and loyal fan base. According to The Washington Post, Gone Girl “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Of course, the large pre-existing fan base had high expectations for the movie, so Gone Girl had a lot to measure up to from the start.
Gone Girl tells the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, both who seem to be made for each other. However, on the morning of their fifth anniversary, Amy disappears, leaving behind only a shattered table and a speckle of blood on the ceiling. Nick, however, seems unfazed by his beautiful wife’s disappearance. He behaves like his smug and usual self, which rubs people the wrong way. Nick’s unfazed reaction to the disappearance of his wife quickly attracts the attention of the media and the skepticism of the town. It is not soon after when Nick is accused of being responsible for his wife’s disappearance. As the mystery unfolds, there are flashbacks of Amy writing in her diary about her dissolving marriage. However, the seemingly obvious story of a cruel husband and his innocent wife quickly disappears as the mystery unravels.
Of course, the limited range of the display of emotion and feeling is an issue in many movies based off of books. But whether you are a fan of the book or just an average moviegoer, Gone Girl does not disappoint. From Rosamund Pike’s riveting portrayal of Amy to Ben Affleck’s smug and charming attitude throughout the movie, moviegoers enjoy a high quality performance of a high quality book. I definitely recommend this movie to those who enjoy the excitement of a mystery or to those who just want to see a good movie.