Gone Girl

Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Tyler Perry

Dir. David Fincher
Scr. Gillian Flynn (based on her novel of the same name)

Director Fincher had quite a mountain to climb in his latest outing. Gone Girl – the book – was read and acclaimed by half the planet, which makes Gone Girl – the movie – a challenge. Fincher’s no stranger to the task however, directing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Fight Club, both adapted from popular novels. What he’s managed to do here is satisfy both the reader and non-reader. Gone Girl is a genuinely thrilling, shocking ride, regardless of whether you know what’s up ahead or not, with some inspired casting and great performances.

On their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Affleck) arrives homes to find his wife, Amy (Pike), gone. Suspicious circumstances point to violent kidnapping and a manhunt is launched, attracting nationwide attention for the seemingly innocent, perfect, loving Amy. Soon Nick’s lies and strange behaviour have the police, Amy’s family, the town and the nation asking the same question: did Nick Dunne kill his wife?

The set-up is simple, but soon enough the audience is blind-sided by twist after turn. It quickly becomes clear that no one is quite what they seem. Fincher and screenwriter/novelist Flynn do a stellar job in both keeping us on our toes and not letting the narrative run away or twist in on itself. Though I do think the ending feels too rushed and meaningless; undoubtedly the biggest casualty of moving from the written page to the screen. Regardless, this is a sophisticated thriller, and while some might label it humourless, it’s definitely fun in its own way. And when I say fun, I of course mean twisted, nasty, shocking fun. The kind of fun that makes you laugh and recoil in equal measure. This creepiness is no doubt helped along by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor’s score and, as we have come to expect from Fincher, a grey, muted palette which manages to convey a seeping sense of foreboding.

The performances in Gone Girl are almost entirely spot-on. I’m not a huge fan of Affleck; what the last few years have made clear is that he’s better off behind the camera than in front of it (and I simply cannot comprehend an Affleck Batman). But it is precisely this unlikableness that makes him perfect to play the smug, disgruntled, soulless Nick Dunne. For those of us who know her work, Pike is simply her usual beautiful, stellar self. But I suspect she will be largely unknown to an American audience, at least in a lead role. And this unknown factor makes her a perfect choice for Amy, the true enigma of the story. Harris is absolutely inspired, perfect casting for the creepy ex-boyfriend Desi Collings. And Dickens gives a very fine performance as Detective Rhonda Boney. Nick’s twin sister, Margo, played by Coon is really the only weak link – her performance is a touch too overwrought and frenetic for my taste.

Gone Girl isn’t perfect, but it’s probably the most thrilling, sadistic, slick film you’ll see this year. And I promise you one thing – it’ll make you feel extremely smug (and relieved!) about your own relationship.


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Amy Dunne: I can practice believing my husband loves me. But I could be wrong.