FILM: THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Elliot Hyams takes a look at the new drama detailing the rise of Facebook.

“Facebook me” It’s a phrase that has become synonymous with communication in the digital age. With over 500 million users and counting, Facebook has gone beyond the realms of social networking to become a major part of everyday modern life. But few people know the story behind the creation of the site, some may be aware of the name Mark Zuckerberg, the youngest billionaire in history and Facebook’s creator, but it is unlikely that any of Facebook’s users know of the several legal battles that occurred over the ownership of the site. This is the story told by David Fincher’s The Social Network, based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Bezrich and adapted for the screen by Aaron Sorkin, writer of The West Wing. The film focuses on Zuckerberg’s days as an isolated programming student at Harvard, his creation of the site, his rise to success and his betrayal of his closest friend and co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

After the overblown, sentimentality of a vanity project like Benjamin Button it is good to see Fincher returning to the subtle dramatic tension he showed he could do so well in Zodiac. The pacing of the film is tight and for such a dry subject matter the two hours do seem to pass quite quickly. Flicking between two law suits, firstly by ousted co owner Eduardo Saverin, played by Andrew Garfield, and a second by the privileged Winklevoss twins, Jesse Eisenberg’s Zuckerberg tells the story of the birth of the site through his depositions. But this isn’t really a story about a website, it’s a story about people and what drives them, their greed, desire, and insecurity. Zuckerberg himself has complained about his portrayal in the film, and whilst there can be no doubt that he is presented as selfish, cold, and egotistical, Jesse Eisenberg adds a sense of fragility and sorrow to the role that ultimately leaves the viewer asking what would you do in the same situation? Would you really behave any better?

Sorkin’s script is as sharp witted and intelligent as fans of the West Wing may expect, the dialogue and exchanges between characters manages to show their humanity, whilst forwarding the plot and keeping those who may be computer illiterate in the loop. However a few of the narrative twists feel somewhat forced such as Zuckerberg coincidentally moving to a house opposite that of the girlfriend of his mentor, Napster founder Sean Parker, played very charismatically by Justin Timberlake. After the CG wizardry of Benjamin Button it would seem this is exactly what Fincher needed, and although it is an enjoyable watch, there is something ultimately missing. It is doubtful that this film will do well on DVD sales as there is no desire for a repeat viewing once you have finished watching it. After the critical and commercial success of Fight Club, Fincher has searched for a project to prove that the hype he garnered was deserved, this film, although good, is not the film to do that.

Review by Elliot Hyams