David Fincher's Gone Girl

When it came out in 2014, I wanted to see “Gone Girl” because it was directed by David Fincher, who has since become one of my favorite filmmakers. I did not get the opportunity, but I recently watched it for a class assignment. I was so intrigued by it, I then watched it again without having to analyze it for my assignment and instead focused on its merits as a film. It has many merits and ranks as one of Fincher’s best.
Based on the novel of the same name by Gillian, who also wrote the screenplay, “Gone Girl” stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, a Missourian who seems despondent with his lot in life. Things soon shake up for him when his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing on their fifth anniversary. As the police and Nick look for his apparently kidnapped wife, we soon realize Nick may not bee so innocent.
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She pulls off the crazy aspect of her character in a natural way with a certain amount of infectious glee. But she, too, brings layers, also making Amy someone we can find chillingly scary and psychotic.
The supporting cast does some nice work as well. Neil Patrick Harris is effective and slightly off putting as Desi. Tyler Perry, in a surprisingly serious role, nails the role of the hotshot lawyer. Carrie Coon serves as an emotional barometer in the film and does a superb job with it. Lastly, Kim Dickens as Detective Rhonda Boney does well with her role, making her character convincing and sympathetic.
Given this is a David Fincher film, it should come as no surprise that it is directed masterfully. His visual style oozes through in every scene with the help of cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth. I especially liked the way Fincher moves the camera through tracking shots, which gives the film a lyrical, haunting feel. The best example of this is the first montage scene we get about halfway through the movie with a central character monologuing in a car. It’s a virtuoso of a