I'm one of those people that read the book and then years later saw the film. I'm not gonna be one of those D-bags that harps on about how the book was better and in this case I don't really have to be. The story in the movie is a very good representation of the source material and overall I thought this was a great film that makes you think about villains in a very different way.
I will come out of the gate and say that generally speaking I am not a fan of Ben Affleck. I just don't think he is a very talented actor and this is compounded by the fact that everyone seems to realize this other than Ben Affleck. I feel as though he gets access to good scripts and good directors and this is probably the only reason why all of his films don't absolutely suck. He is good at networking the way that Leo DiCaprio is good at always having the best directors on speed-dial.
Gone Girl is a tale about a marriage gone sour between two people that thought their lives were going to turn out a lot differently than it did together. I think that this story of a marriage gone sour is unfortunately all too true in this day and age, but thankfully they don't go to the lengths that happen in this thriller of a story to rectify it.
Lots of things had gone wrong for the couple since they first fell in love: They both lost their jobs and were forced to relocate back to a small city in Missouri where neither one of them were terribly happy after the hustle and bustle of New York City life, which they both enjoyed but could no longer afford. The grow increasingly distant and resentful of one another, and Nick (Affleck) starts to have an affair with a much younger woman. Amy is a bit more resentful than Nick as it turns out and she simply disappears one day with a crime scene in her own home that gives the impression that she was kidnapped.
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As the forensic evidence of the crime scene unfolds, it is revealed that a crime was committed and was rather poorly covered up including the cleaning up of massive blood loss in the kitchen that is quickly revealed by CSI units. Nick is the prime suspect but without a body it is impossible to convict him immediately. As the audience we are made aware of the fact that Nick didn't actually do it, but it is a ploy on the part of his wife to frame him for her fake death.
Why the film is good
For starters, despite Affleck's shortcomings as an actor, Rosamund Pike's portrayal of Amy is absolutely brilliant. She is terrifying and while she is revealed as being a complete psychopath, she is clearly in control of her emotions throughout. She is exacting, meticulous, cold, rather emotionless, and a tremendous liar.
The story is also told in a non-linear fashion that keeps us guessing as to what it is that is going to happen next as the story goes back in forth in time and even goes into fantasy moments in Amy's mind about what her master plan is. As the story unfolds we, the audience, are kept guessing because unless you have read the book, the story is really shocking and unpredictable as it carries on. This is a rarity in Hollywood and the type of presentation that I think most people will appreciate who are tired of the cookie-cutter formula for basically any story that is so common in blockbuster films these days.
Should I watch it?
Absolutely, and this comes from someone who has read the book, knew how the story was going to end up, and still enjoyed it. If you haven't read the book and especially if you are completely unaware of the story you definitely should. I envy people that get to go into this film blind because it is a truly great take on psychological thrillers. Even Affleck's wooden acting style couldn't botch this movie and that is reflected in the fact that the box office take was 6 times the overall budget to make the thing.
This is currently available on Netflix in most regions around the world.
