Netflix of the Week

The Social Network


Director David Fincher's biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophmore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Winning Golden Globes for Best Picture and Best Director, the film also racked up Oscar nods in the same categories and for lead actor Eisenberg,.


PG-13 2Hrs 2010 Blu-ray

Let me say that I thought this film had a lot of good things going for it before I watched it. But 3 main ones. First, The subject is fresh. Outside of Tron, Lawnmower Man and The Net, you don't get many internet based movies, much less factual based ones 500 Million people have a personal interest in. Second, the screenplay is written by Aaron Sorkin. Nobody can jam more complex dialogue in a scene than him. Writing about a computer nerd with ADD is the script he was born to write. And third, Jesse Eisenberg. He was great in Zombieland and Adventureland. But in this film he plays a much darker and complex character like he did in Holy Rollers and he nails it. This film propels him into a solid lead actor.

I also have to throw credit to Justin Timberlake for his performance. This was an excellent role for him. A young, rich wild child/internet guru with a chip on his shoulder and a shot at redemption. Justin has had several successful smaller roles, but this is a substantial supporting role and he gives a solid performance.

I have to admit, as the first act plays out I follow and completely understand the computer/programming/hacking jargon word for word. Heh, not to brag... but I am a computer guru afterall. I felt particularly proud I was able to keep up with a Harvard computer major. Not to shabby for a fatboy from The South40!

That lasted about 5 minutes.

Suddenly we are talking coding algorithms, randomizing programs and some serious computer crap that I have absofreakinglutely no idea what they are talking about. Guess that why I was never accepted at Harvard.

From that point, programming gets moved to the back burner and the real story begins. Law suits and back stabbing. Megazillionairs and those left in their wake.

This is a very good film. It's well written, well directed and well acted. The script is complex and fast paced, just like the real thing was. The story intoxicating and the characters enthralling. It's not just for computer nerds. But then if you're reading this, you might just be a ...

Just in case you were wondering, nice guys DO finish last in the real world.

Add The Social Network to your queue.