For the 100 minutes, “Gone Girl” was poised to be one of the best movies I had watched in some time. Its harrowing plot depicting the mysterious disappearance of a popular author of children’s’ books and the police investigation to find her, keeps you thoroughly mesmerized from the very start. Had it ended at 2 hours, it would have captured an Academy Award nomination for best picture and deservedly so. At the very least, it would have gotten an A+ grade from one of the Buff’s stingiest writers.
Normally, when an ending kills a movie it destroys the entire effort. But with the level of prowess that accrues in the film from the start through the majority of its running time, it has to be a tale of two reviews.
Director David Fincher (“The Social Network“) takes the 2012 Gillian Flynn novel to the big screen, and saddles the viewer on an anxiety filled trip that will render you clamoring for the next scene, and the next scene, as the minutes go by.
On the day of their 5 year wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) arrives home to signs of foul play – broken glass, scattered blood – and his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing.
Fincher and Flynn take us on a journey that follows three fronts; the police investigation of the disappearance, lead by detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens), Nick Dunne as he goes from the highs of sympathetic distraught husband to the lows of worldwide loathed suspect, and a collection of signs that reveal to the viewer the seemingly perfect marriage was anything but.
Rosamund Pike has been nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Amy Dunne. I thought she was effective though not so unforgettable as to garner the nomination. Affleck is okay – I’m sure his near identical resemblance to real life wife killer Scott Peterson had something to do with his casting. Neil Patrick Harris is good in limited screen time, and Tyler Perry who I normally despise is probably too big a name for the role he plays.
The real star for me was Carrie Coon who plays Nick’s supportive and feisty twin sister Margo. Throughout the movie, we see Margo as Nick’s closest ally – chastising him when needed as any loving sibling would – and also reminding him of the inseparable bond they share. “Of course I’m with you,” she reminds him at one point, “I was with you before we were even born.”
Fincher takes the story and sets it perfectly to visuals. Set in the unlikely suburbs of St. Louis (with Affleck’s involvement I just assumed it would take place in or around Boston), the ominous tones are present right from the start, reminding the viewer of the foreboding backdrop of another of Fincher’s pieces, “Se7en.” The drama is fast paced and the scenes tight. As the mystery of Amy’s disappearance is gradually revealed, more layers are piled on, and the result is a thing of beauty.
I felt depressed that they couldn’t carry the perfection until the end. I was excited that a new movie was actually going to become an all time favorite. Recognizing that it can be tough to maintain an adrenaline fueled intensity from start to finish, my disappointment comes more from the fact that it didn’t just close out in simple fashion.
Sometimes, the most logical conclusion is the best. “Gone Girl” runs 30 minutes too long and ends in such a ridiculous and head scratching way, it completely negates the depth and normalcy of the characters you had just watched for two hours.
“Gone Girl” comes as close to perfection as a film can get. Despite its vapid ending its still a good picture to watch. You may find yourself like me; salivating over dinner for two hours and then sickened by what finally comes out of the oven.
by – Matt Christopher
