Think what you like about Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl novel, but David Fincher’s movie version successfully distills the essence of Flynn’s convoluted story. I’m willing to give Rosamund Pike a Best Actress nomination for her role as Amy Dunne. Ben Affleck plays Nick Dunne, the Gone Girl’s clueless husband, with a convincing mix of doofusness and cunning. I also liked Kim Dicken’s as Detective Rhonda Boney who investigates the disappearance and Carrie Coon as Margot Dunne (Nick’s twin sister). I liked David Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and his sensibility elevates his Gone Girl. This is a movie that will stay with you after you leave it. GRADE: B+
We’ll be seeing it for sure.
Patti, you and Phil will really like this movie version of GONE GIRL. I can’t wait to read your review!
2-1/2 hours long, right? I feel the same way about overly long movies that I do about overly long books. Probably this one’s not for me.
Bill, GONE GIRL doesn’t feel long. The story is complicated with all the flashbacks and diary entries. David Fincher keeps things moving.
I’m definitely with Bill on this one.
Jeff, GONE GIRL is better than I expected. You and Jackie would find the twists and turns intriguing. And, don’t forget the great cast!
We jsut watched Rosamund Pike in the goofy THE WORLD’S END and Jackie (not me!) saw her in JACK REACHER.
Jeff, I thought Rosamund Pike’s performance in GONE GIRL was terrific. She’s a star!
I was not a fan of the book (I dubbed it “a mystery-thriller for people who haven’t read too many of either”)–the husband and wife were just horrible, I couldn’t rack up much sympathy for either of them and that big “twist” midway through the book is easy to see a mile away. So I think I’ll be sitting this one out.
Deb, I shared your reactions to Gillian Flynn’s novel. But the movie is smart and the performances by Affleck and Pike lure you into their world despite the fact both characters are repellent.
Barbara wants to see it, me, not. She’ll wait until it’s been out a while and she can use her discount card.
Rick, Barbara will come back with a positive review of GONE GIRL I predict.
Don’t understand the complaints about length. Many great movies are 3 hrs or longer. Apocalypse Now, Both Godfathers, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Gone with the Wind. I have watched long movies which I hate to see end and short movies that tend to drag on forever. I have friends who won’t watch a movie if it’s over 2 hrs but have no problem watching a 4 hr football game on Sunday.
Steve, I think the Bad Long Movies give length a Bad Name. GONE GIRL didn’t seem like it was over 2 hours. It’s a complicated story with flashbacks and voiceovers and diary entries. It could have been a disaster, but David Fincher blended them into a coherent story.
I saw this on Saturday and was surprised when we came out of the theatre at how much time has passed. I did not find it too long and I don’t usually enjoy long movies. I had read the book and at the time wondered why it was so popular although without checking I think I remember thinking that the ending was satisfactory. Reading the book didn’t affect my enjoyment of the movie as I didn’t remember much about it. I thought the performance of the female detective was strong.
Kent, I had a similar reaction to the GONE GIRL movie as you did. Yes, Kim Dickens as Detective Rhonda Boney delivered a strong performance.