Within the first five minutes of The Social Network: 2 Disc Collector's Edition, you know you're in for a different sort of movie. The framing and visuals are spot-on perfect, as is the acting. Dialogue is crisp, fresh and there's never a wasted word. You instantly know and identify with the situation and characters. Everything about the scene pushes the film forward at a brisk, yet understandable pace, that continues throughout the entire movie.
Adapted from Ben Mezrich's book, The Accidental Billionaires, The Social Network tells the story of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg). Although the film's plot is largely based around Zuckerberg's story, it's primarily a vehicle for a deeper metaphor of the importance status holds in society. As such, factual elements are changed, omitted or even fabricated, but despite that, it is easily one of 2010's best movies and an instant classic.
The Social Network opens in 2003. Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg has just been dumped by his girlfriend, prompting him to get drunk, blog about her and create a website where users can rate co-eds based on attractiveness. The site is a success and manages to crash the servers within a matter of hours. Zuckerberg is placed on academic probation, but his feat catches the attention of twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer, with Josh Pence), who recruit Zuckerberg to help them develop a website, "Harvard Connection."
Zuckerberg sees the idea's potential and, along with friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) as the company's CFO, sets to work on "The Facebook." Once launched, the site attracts the attention of Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), who decides to ride Zuckerberg's coattails while offering his own business advice.
Much like the website the film revolves around, The Social Network uses a social network of sorts to recount Zuckerberg's story. The film is framed between Mark's simultaneous legal battles - one involving the "Harvard Connection" and another concerning Saverin's financial stake in the company. Though not an entirely original method, the film intercuts between the two with the same razor sharp precision as the dialogue. Despite jumping between two lawsuits, there's never a point where the plot becomes lost. It's easily one of David Fincher's best directorial efforts (my favorite, topping Zodiac), but also one of his best outings as a storyteller.
The idea of status is the glue that keeps everything together and running nicely. Yes, The Social Network is about Zuckerberg, though ultimately it's about us. Everyone in story is, in one way or another, gunning for a higher social status. Some are willing to ride the coattails, others are willing to backstab friends and still others will take whatever legal means necessary to get it. It's a bigger concept, and the assembled actors do a magnificent job of building a bridge between the film and audience. One of the really neat things about The Social Network has been talking to people. Everyone I've talked to has their own insight about who is in the wrong, which is incredibly refreshing.
Many of these themes are explained and expanded on in a trio of features. First is the feature-length documentary "How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook?" The four-part doc covers everything you would ever want to know about production and includes cast and crew interviews, on-set footage and all of the little details that went into crafting the movie.
Both commentary tracks build on the ideas introduced in the documentary (as well as other features). In one, David Fincher discusses the filmmaking process, in particular why certain decisions were made in terms of story. The second centers on writer Aaron Sorkin and the principal cast. The focus is, again, on the film's themes as well as how each prepared for their parts. Both commentary tracks are must views, especially for film students.
On top of the excellent acting and storytelling, The Social Network is also a great looking movie. It's a great example of how color and lighting are used to influence the story. Fincher infuses the film with a dark, moody look that absolutely pops out - especially in HD. The Henley Regatta scene alone is one of my favorites from last year. Visuals and post-production receive their own short features on the second disc. Both are must watches for anyone interested in film visuals - especially those interested in the post process. The first ("Visuals") covers lighting, mood and how visuals support the story being told. The second ("Post") focuses on editing and how color and sound come into play.
Viewers can also view a scene from multiple angles in four different variations.
Sound is a major focus in two other short features. One ("Score") takes viewers through the film's subtle, yet engaging score while "In the Hall of the Mountain King" takes viewers through Trent Reznor's creative process while developing the song used in the Henley Regatta scene. There's also a short on the Swarmatron, an instrument used in the soundtrack.
The only surprising omission from the 2-disc set is some sort of Facebook connectivity. Then again, it would probably come off as silly and, in all likelihood, drag the package down.
The more I watch The Social Network (and I've seen it a lot), the more I come to realize it is easily my favorite film of 2010. It's an excellent all around film that should here its name called come Oscar time.
