Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Overview
A mystery which truly leaves you unable to fully grasp what is going on, what may happen next, and who truly is manipulating who.
Trigger Warning(s): Violence Against Women
Review (with Spoilers) – Below
Characters & Story
Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy (Rosamund Pike) have been married for years, but with them both losing their jobs, and then needing to relocate so Nick could take care of his ill mother, their relationship is put to the test. One which both fail miserably, but especially Nick as he brings a 3rd party into the relationship. Leading to his final test in which, after all that has been said and done, Amy disappears and Nick’s world is exposed to the public. Leading to the question: Were Nick and Amy truly a good match, or were they terribly put together and that is what lead to them eventually, quite violently, being torn apart?
Praise
As much as I love Viola Davis, adore Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and admire Meryl Streep, honestly Rosamund Pike, with this one performance, pretty much cast most of their collective work into her shadow. And I say this after avoiding this film for I thought it would be overrated, to damn long to hold my attention, and damn if, for once, my initial perceptions about a movie were wrong. For truly, to spoil things a little bit, Pike in this film was on the level of Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler.
Now, as for the rest of the cast, Affleck does well in his role as Nick, and I have to admit I was quite surprised Tyler Perry was decent in this film. Which I comfortably say means he maybe at a turning point in his career, or if there was too much talent involved for him to possibly be seen as a blemish. Either way, films like these truly make me think “Best Ensemble” needs to be an award given at the bigger events of the award season.
Criticism
Before the climax, admittedly the film may feel a bit long and tedious. However, once the climax hits you are rarely left bored so the feeling of this being perhaps too long is only temporary. Making it so the only issue I can fathom is maybe not being satisfied with some of the characters’ choices and the ending. Outside of that though, unless you are a real film snob, or never like book adaptations, I really can’t see why you would have a major issue with this film.
Overall: Worth Seeing
It is highly rare, after reviewing perhaps hundreds of films, and more than a 1000 different things, for me to regret putting something off. Gone Girl is perhaps the rare exception. For truly, I would have loved to see the reaction of fellow theater goers, maybe have gone to a theater in which people talk throughout and hear their reaction, and really get to fully experience what this film gives you in the discomfort of your local theater. Unfortunately, though, I didn’t take that opportunity and for a short period of time, until I find another movie to like, I will regret that.
However, out of the majority of the films I have seen, I will say this is one of the few in which it seems the idea of entertaining the audience while presenting some sort of art, is definitely considered. For while there may not be longing glances or beautiful landscapes, we instead get complex people making complex decisions. We see the worse in people match the perceptions others always desire in friends or public figures, and while I doubt I may become a fan of Pike, even though I loved her in this role, it is hard to deny that her profile has risen quite a bit. To the point where, if she is consistent, she truly will become a legend within the entertainment industry.
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