"The Social Network" Movie Review

http://www.facebook.com/MannyTheMovieGuy


I'm Manny the Movie Guy and I'm a Facebook addict. There, I admit it. Many of us find ourselves utterly obsessed with the social-networking website. And the new movie about the history of Facebook is as wonderfully addictive.

Big credit goes to scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin. The "West Wing" creator brilliantly exposes the politics behind the making of Facebook. The result is a layered, funny, and smart script that deserves to win an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, "The Social Network" begins in fall of 2003 at Harvard University. We meet Mark Zuckerberg (fittingly played by Jesse Eisenberg), an undergrad and computer genius who starts working on a new idea that eventually turns into the global social network we now know as Facebook and makes Zuckerberg the youngest billionaire in the world.

Zuckerberg is portrayed as a nerd who desperately needs approval and acts out when he doesn't get it. His girlfriend, Erica Albright (the fantastic Rooney Mara), tells him "dating you is like dating a Stairmaster." Everyone must work hard to get his attention.

"The Social Network" is divided into three parts and each features Erica. She's the voice of reason and the conscience of Zuckerberg. The film also goes back and forth in time, highlighting two lawsuits brought upon by his former friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), and the Winklevoss twins, Cameron (Armie Hammer) and Tyler (Josh Pence).

Garfield, who will next be seen as the new "Spider-Man," memorably plays Zuckerberg's erstwhile friend who has been unceremoniously dumped when Facebook starts taking off. Their relationship could not handle the social network's skyrocketing popularity. Near the end, when Saverin tells Zuckerberg, "I was your only friend," it will break your heart.

The Winklevoss twins also play a big part in Facebook's evolution. Initially, they hired Zuckerberg for their Harvard-exclusive social network known as The Harvard Connection. Arguably, they might have mistakenly given Zuckerberg the template for Facebook.

Also playing an intricate part is the man behind Napster, Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). He finds in Zuckerberg the gateway back to internet popularity which was stained by Napster's downfall. Sean, a brilliant charlatan, also becomes the catalyst that separated Zuckerberg and Saverin. Zuckerberg worships him, while Saverin despises him.

Much like Christopher Nolan's "Inception," director David Fincher approaches his subject in a more cerebral fashion. The emotion is present but it's not as oppressive and heavy-handed. Fincher commands every frame of the movie and comes up with one of the best films in his canon.

Also noteworthy is the original music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It captures the mood and cinematic layers of the film. Any movie that wittingly uses "Baby, You're a Rich Man" by The Beatles is great in my book.

"The Social Network" will have a lot of fans and will be liked by many. You will not forget this ultimate revenge of the nerds movie while updating your Facebook status. It's a perfect Fincher-Sorkin collaboration and easily one of the best films of 2010.

RATING: "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" -- 4 KISSES

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[TheNewhowto]

hey manny got a favor to ask

can you please do a review on "Wall Streets" before this Thursday pleaseeeeez

thanks, you are doing a fantastic job

[mdelar]

@TheNewhowto I will try...I reviewed Wall Street Money Never Sleeps for the newspaper...you can find it on my website :) Thanks as always!

[TheGoldenStudios]

Great Review!! Too bad i Have to wait 27 Days!!!

[mdelar]

@TheGoldenStudios Really? It's worth the wait though :)

[Zippedychick]

I saw a preview showing of this film last week and its absolutely fantastic. I couldn't believe it. Seriously good!

[mdelar]

@Zippedychick Yup...I love this film...one of the best :)

[will4disney]

they need to make a movie about youtube!!!!!

[RevolutionReviews]

They use The Beatles?!!!??! This movie, although I've yet to see it, just went up significantly in my book.

[Alidinotte]

I made a picture of Mark Zuckerberg...See this on my channel!

[AJVersatility19]

Despite having so many crappy crap movies. 2010 bred a handful of great movies.

[archangel385]

The movie was seriously addictive, i watch it like 5 times already, and im planning on watching it again.

[megaearplugger]

@xIRWINBx nah retard, they are true...you just think that you can hide it from everyone, even from yourself. It doesnt give you a right to respond for no reason to someone's comment just coz you are a fat piece of shit.

[xIRWINBx]

@megaearplugger see there you go again with comments that arent even true, but for you its true, you are dick. criticizing someone becuase of there wieght, when you dont even no them, now thats just being a dick.

[megaearplugger]

@xIRWINBx looks like after some time I'm going to get an essay wahahah. And why would I care whether you took offece or not? I wouldnt, exactly...dipshit. Jealous? lmao, of what? Let me guess...you are a fat sexually frustrated kid with no friends. Accurate enough? I thought so. Now Now fatso, feel sorry for yourself

[xIRWINBx]

@megaearplugger believe i have took no offense to this becuase the things youve said arent even personal things that are true, so why would i take offense. but i dont think i even need to know personally to see what sort of person u are. from your first comment i can see ur an obvious dikhed, calling someone simply becuase u are jealous of them. if anything i feel sory for u.

[megaearplugger]

@xIRWINBx you never met your dad? Retard, you are seeing him and his dick every night. Brain disorder comes in different types and severities. I'm enjoyinh burnig a loser like you