When I first heard about the idea of “The Facebook Movie” a few years ago, I had a hard time imagining that a film about the advent of our most popular social network would be interesting. While I myself log into Facebook countless times a day, both on my computer and my phone, I can’t say I was very interested in learning about its origins. However, after seeing David Fincher’s The Social Network, I feel totally different about logging into this site, and I was compelled and enthralled by the film from beginning to end.
Anyone who uses Facebook on a regular basis should see this movie, not only because it’s an interesting look into one of their favorite websites, but honestly anyone who is using a website this much should know its history. Especially because the history of Facebook, formally known as “The Facebook”, has been a tumultuous one. From its roots in a small college room at Harvard to a globally used website, the website and its creator, Mark Zuckerberg, has been facing drama and opposition from all sides. This makes for a very compelling movie, as the story switches between Zuckerberg’s time at Harvard creating Facebook and the onslaught of legal action that occurs several years later.
Aaron Sorkin’s writing style lends itself so well to this film, partly because of Zuckerberg’s character. Mark is a smart, quick-witted genius, who stands by his convictions and doesn’t back down in a fight, and Sorkin’s habit for lengthy tirades from his main characters turns Zuckerberg from a geeky recluse to a keen jerk. Sorkin does an incredible job weaving a story out of the events that transpired during the creation of Facebook, as Eduardo Saverin, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and others are all blocked from speaking after their lawsuits against Zuckerberg. The film itself was based off of Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires, so while it’s unclear how factual The Social Network is, it’s still a very compelling story compiled from a lot
of different versions of the truth.
Fincher has certainly toned down his directing for this movie, especially after films such as Fight Club and Panic Room that have a very distinct visual style. He creates a subtle, formal look for The Social Network, one that lends itself well to fact that this film is based on real-life events. The only scene where Fincher flexes his artistic muscles is the boat race, where the Winklevoss brothers finish in second place. The scene is visually striking after the muted tones and still shots that compromise the rest of the film, but it works well.
Jesse Eisenberg delivers an incredible performance as Zuckerberg. Even when he isn’t speaking, his character is a force of nature on screen, and Eisenberg does this subtly and effortlessly. The rest of the ensemble cast is memorable and all deliver great performances, but Justin Timberlake surprisingly stands out. It’s unclear when Timberlake made the transition from pop singer to fabulous actor, but he has. He is charismatic and energetic as Napster founder Sean Parker, and he charms Zuckerberg as easily as he charms the audience.
Whether The Social Network is an expertly crafted interpretation of events, or a close representation of the founding of one of our most popular social networking sites, it’s hard to deny the film’s effect on the way we will all look at Facebook, and social networking in general, from now on. The film made me much more aware of how I use Facebook, not as a website but as a form of communication. I no longer ask people to write me a letter or an email, but I tell them to “Facebook” me. When I take a great picture, I don’t want to print it out or show my friends, but I want to use it as my Facebook profile photo. I don’t use Facebook because it’s a cool website, I use it because it’s a way for me to define myself and shape my identity for others.
In the film, Zuckerberg discusses how he wants Facebook to be “exclusive”. People will want to add eachother on Facebook to gain access to their personal profile, and derive a certain satisfaction from being added by others. What I took from The Social Network most of all was that I myself derive pleasure from thisWhen it comes down to it, I don’t have a Facebook so I can see other people’s profiles. I have a Facebook so other people can see my profile . At the end of the day, we’re all just like Zuckerberg. Except that, instead of wanting to belong to one of Harvard’s exclusive final clubs, we just want that cute guy from biology to accept our Facebook friend request.
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