The Social Network – 5*

With all the hype about social media and the news that it’s the fastest growth sector in the jobs market, you’d be forgiven for wondering how a film about the founders of Facebook could possibly hold your interest for longer than 30 minutes, let alone two hours. The thought had crossed our minds and our Facebook entries and Tweets, to be honest. However, the high calibre of scriptwriting and character establishment is apparent from the word go with the film’s opening scene that portrays one founder, IT egghead Mark Zuckerberg, as a complete social pariah who, thanks to the splendid casting of Jesse Eisenberg in the role (Cera, eat your heart out), is astoundingly gripping and priceless.

It does take a couple of seconds at the start to latch onto this rapid-fire exchange between Zuckerberg and the woman who broke his heart and spawned the internet revenge offensive and subsequent networking site, Erica Albright (Rooney Mara). But during the course of this oral onslaught you witness the genius relationship play that is to come. And that’s the brilliance of Aaron Sorkin’s script and David Fincher’s direction that prevents the status quo from plunging into TV courtroom banality.

The story is all about prospering off the hype that the Internet can fuel, and this film is no exception. There is a lot of furore surrounding it, but with just cause. The ping-pong rapport is nigh perfect that is distracts you from pinpointing exactly when things between Zuckerberg and his best friend and CFO Eduardo Saverin (played by new ‘Spider-Man’ Andrew Garfield) go sour. In fact, almost like all good salespeople it keeps the banter flowing, real and energised to pull the wool over your eyes and sweep you up in each moment, without allowing you a second to process all that is being said. But it still manages to deliver the witty quips, particularly from Eisenberg as Zuckerberg. To stand still would be this film’s demise, and the film-makers rightfully recognised this.

With such a dialogue-heavy plot, it’s hard to imagine that the film would have time for any action sequences, or offer any impressive visual effects. Not so. One prime example is the moment Harvard twins Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss discover their computer talent Zuckerberg has allegedly stolen the crux of their social networking idea, whilst cutting through the waves in their simulated rowing boat. It’s an exhilarating and heart-stopping moment of truth that brings a sinking feeling to the pit of the stomach – not that we particularly like any of the characters at that moment, including Zuckerberg, but we empathise with their feelings. It’s also a credit to the stellar special effects that this film achieves, when you realise that one actor is at the helm of both sportsmen, exceptionally played by Armie Hammer.

Singer-actor Justin Timberlake wowed critics as Frankie Ballenbacher in Alpha Dog and as Ronnie in Black Snake Moan, and will do the same again as arrogant Napster founder Sean Parker, here. Timberlake demonstrates what he can do and achieve with the right writing force behind him, playing to his strengths and emotions as Parker in a supporting role to Eisenberg. Parker and Zuckerberg completely compliment each other in this story – one socially inept; the other too socially extravagant, with the catalyst being level-headed Saverin in bringing sense and the lawsuits to the table. The power play is some of the most dynamic and best seen in recent cinema, particularly with such a young cast, as delusions of control pass from pillar to post and back again in this mega-bucks game.

Although Facebook usage wavers at times, there is never a dull moment in The Social Network as it’s less about the site and its origins, and more about the multi-faceted personalities of the players and the effects of greed on them as they struggle with being part of something bigger than they can handle or envisage. It’s a highly current and interpersonal triumph, thanks to some exquisite acting that shouldn’t require a poke, or the setting up of an event to get friends to watch it. Just join and spread the word because this Oscar-tipped offering is bound to inspire and capture the imagination. Zuckerberg may have only liked the ‘bits he liked’ from the film (according to Eisenberg recently in London), but all publicity is good publicity and will set tongues wagging as to what is and isn’t fictional in this outstanding contemporary Faustian tale.

5/5 stars

By Lisa Giles-Keddie