Movie: Gone Girl

Gone Girl:  a mystery based upon the same-named novel.  I suspect those of you who haven’t read the novel will enjoy the movie more than those who have as the underlying story is premised on a gimmick.  The script is by the book’s author, Gillian Flynn.  Because I had not read the book, the movie held my interest.  Notwithstanding the manipulative plotline, there are some quality acting performances.  The story raises the question of who can you trust.  After a short, chilling opening scene, we are introduced to Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), a husband whose marriage is off track.  We learn of the teetering marriage through a conversation Nick has with a bartender, whom we later learn is his twin sister, Margo (Carrie Coon).  Nick and Margo operate “The Bar” in North Carthage, a fictional town in Missouri.  Following the bar scene, Nick returns home to find signs of a break-in and his wife missing.  Nick calls the police and we meet detectives Boney (Kim Dickens) and Gilpen (Patrick Fugit).  The police are suspicious and we begin wondering whether Nick’s wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has been killed.   Amy is a public personality due to her parents having written and promoted “Amazing Amy”, a famous series of children’s books based on enhanced episodes of Amy’s life.  The media become promptly involved.  The parents, Rand (David Clennon) and Marybeth (Lisa Banes), through years of exposure, are very media savvy.  Media personalities include a Nancy Grace character who pounds on the evils of men.  As the story unfolds, the institution of marriage takes a beating.  One of the more interesting characters is an individual named Greta (Lola Kirke), but explaining how she fits in would detract from the suspense created by director David Fincher.  There is also Amy’s very wealthy but naïve ex-boyfriend, Desi (Neil Patrick Harris).  Desi becomes a key character.  Tyler Perry gives a good performance as the high profile defense attorney.  The story from Nick’s perspective is told in the first person; Amy’s story is told primarily through her diary.  The first half of this 145 minute film focuses on Nick while the second half focuses on Amy and the backstory of their relationship.  There are some violent scenes.  David Fincher directed “Fight Club” and, if you saw that film, you know Fincher enjoys inter-personal violence.  Ben Affleck is outstanding and the two detectives, Boney and Gilpin, are entertaining as Fargo-type characters.  The story held my attention.  In retrospect, however, I enjoyed the film more before I had a chance to think about the numerous  defects in the storyline, but discussing the film’s plot problems would reveal too much.  This movie works because the ending is not obvious.  On a scale of 5.0, this is a 3.5 star flick.