While my film blog buddy enjoys the crisp air of the Swiss Alps, I shall scoot in and offer comments on The Social Network, which examines two intellectual property lawsuits brought against founder/CEO of Facebook, world's youngest billionaire, Mark Zukerberg (currently worth $5 BILLION!) While the film did not enjoy cooperation from Z., its makers drew heavily on court records for authenticity, trying to show various perspectives.
I enjoyed the film. Really, I did. Dialogue was in the incredibly crisp, tight, fast-paced, witty, pay-attention style of screenwriter Arron Sorkin (West Wing and others). Direction by David Fincher followed suit.
Casting and performances were dead on: Jesse Eisenberg playing King of Passive-Agression, Zuckerberg, and of most note, Justin Timberlake, who proves he can not only be dynamite on stage, but deliver a performance that made this unapologetically HUGE Timberlake fan actually forget who he was. Wow.
One of the most dramatic indicators of an invention's success is when it changes the lexicon (e.g. "I xeroxed it.") Facebook changed the word "friend" into a verb. ("Hey, friend me, o.k.?") By the end of the film. we are shown that Z., who has brought together over a million "FRIENDS," has not one real one to call his own. Therein lies the poetic irony.
Best line of the film came at very end when an attorney says to M.Z., "You're not an asshole, Mark. You're just trying so hard to be." I think that nailed his persona.
As I said, I enjoyed watching this, and yet, the morning after I question what I got out of it. Was I enlightened? Moved? I realize the focus of the film was the legal cases themselves, but I wanted to know more about Zukerberg. What lay beneath that stoic facade? Also, they should have shown more of Facebook's impact - numbers do not tell a story. A million members. O.k. But even a 30 second clever montage of our everyday use of this social phenomenon would have had an impact.
By the way, I just discovered the Winklevoss twins were played by one gentleman. Completely amazing - I had no idea.
I find the passive-aggressive personality to be immensely undesireable, downright maddening, even viscous. Let's not worry about Mr. Zukerberg; now that he's sold Facebook he's not got one "friend," he has 5 billion.
Sounds like an intriguing film. I really enjoy the spirit of entrepreneurship (have tried a bit of it myself), so this film is a must. Will comment more intelligently once I've seen the flick. Thanks for your observations.
ReplyDeleteI finally saw this one. You, film buddy, have nailed the essence of the film. Your comments on the passive/aggressive Z and the very talented acting of Justin Timberlake are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to elaborate mostly on a comment you made:
VALERIE: As I said, I enjoyed watching this, and yet, the morning after I question what I got out of it. Was I enlightened? Moved? I realize the focus of the film was the legal cases themselves, but I wanted to know more about Zukerberg. What lay beneath that stoic facade? Also, they should have shown more of Facebook's impact - numbers do not tell a story. A million members. O.k. But even a 30 second clever montage of our everyday use of this social phenomenon would have had an impact.
Agree 100%! Yes indeed, who is the real Mark Z?
The real problem with this film is that it focused on a law suit. OK, the founder, Mark Z, was an asshole. He screwed his best and only friend. He deserved to get sued by former associates and pay up for his transgresssions. So?
The story should have centered instead on the marvel of creativity. It should have shown us the inventiveness of a some genius Harvard kids. And as you said, it should have shown some current data. My big question: With My Space already in place, how did Facebook make such a splash? Why? What nerve did it touch?
And also: Let's look at Facebook as mostly a young person's happening. Sure, some of us older folks go on Facebook, but NOT with the obsession or zestiness of the young. Why? Are the young more socially connected?
As an junior, small-time entrepreneur myself, I ask, would I have invested money in this venture if Mark Z had come to me? The answer is definitely NO! Mark Z says to me: You see, David, there is going to be this network where everyone says what he/she is doing...and you're going to be so interested in their every move that you'll want to know precisely when they used the restroom! Uh, no thanks!
Goes to show, Facebook is not for everyone. Wish the film had explained why some folks go for it, and dinosaurs like yours truly can't fathom what it's all about.