The Social Network

The Social Network

Ok, so I have to say that I have gotten behind on my movie review for this week, which turned out to be The Social Network, which stars Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake to name just a few.  David Fincher took the director’s helm in order to help bring Mark Zuckerberg’s meteoric rise to fame via Facebook to life.  If I’m being totally honest, I was pretty sure that I was going to sleep through this movie.  Really, how interesting could it be?

The Social Network begins right away with Mark (Eisenberg) speaking to his current girlfriend at the time.  As their conversation develops, we quickly realize that Mark is somewhat socially inept from the standpoint that he conveys the truth in a matter-of-fact type of attitude.  I could only deduce as he made snide remarks about his girlfriend’s social status that he was being rude, but then realized that it was just his way of communicating.  As he imparts his last bits of wisdom to her, she reacts by telling him to get lost and that she no longer wanted to see him.  Somewhat crestfallen, he returns to his Harvard dorm and proceeds to get totally smashed and then begins to blog about his previous love in a not-so loving manner.

In the process of his blogging conundrum, he decides to hack several Harvard websites to steal the pictures of every girl he can find.  The end result is a manufactured website, which allows an individual to rate one girl against another in comparison to beauty.  The website becomes wildly popular and ends up crashing the Harvard computer system.  Of course, Mark’s popularity rises as everyone realizes that he is the one who created the website.  Hearing of his prowess for everything computers, the Winklevoss brothers (Hammer and Pence) attempt to forge a business relationship with Zuckerberg.  They discuss the idea of an all Harvard website where alums and current students could get together and chat and share information.  Initially, Mark agrees to help with the development of the website; however, as he begins to think of the process, Zuckerberg decides against the partnership with the Winklevoss brothers, which leads to serious legal ramifications.

As Mark comes up with the idea for “The Facebook” he enlists the help of his best and only friend Eduardo (Garfield).  Eduardo has access to funds to help get this project off the ground and by all accounts seems to be a very loyal and level headed friend to Zuckerberg.  However, as the phenomena that is Facebook grows, Mark and Eduardo’s relationship becomes severed.  Enter Sean Parker (Timberlake), Napster founder, which ultimately puts an end to Zuckerberg and Saverin’s friendship.  Parker snakes his way into Mark’s life by living the big life and allowing him to rub elbows with some of the biggest investors the country has to offer.

As mentioned, serious legal implications develop as Mark decided not to help the Winklevoss brothers and somewhat deceptively cheated his friend, Eduardo, out of shares in the company.  The theme of the lawsuit is used to tell the entire story.  Flashbacks are common and it allows us to catch a glimpse of how Mark processes information as well as how he is able to manipulate people into helping to better his position.  Does he settle the lawsuits and did he ever reunite with his previous best friend?  The answer to one is answered at the end of the movie; however, the other was left up in the air a bit.

This film was marvelously directed and acted throughout.  He didn’t win; however, Jesse Eisenberg should have won an Academy Award for his part in this film.  He was funny, slightly evil, socially unavailable, and likeable all at the same time.  I found it amazing that an individual who had such a difficult time relating to people would be able to establish a social network.  This to me was just counterintuitive at best, yet Mark Zuckerberg has become the toast of the world as many of us are addicted to our Facebook accounts.  I give The Social Network four and a half stars.  This may have been the only movie so far to give The King’s Speech a run for its money.  I would highly suggest putting this movie on your social calendar, it is certainly worth it!

That’s How Matt Sees It!