First Past the Post - Gone Girl

Having seen a bunch of women reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn on public transport for the best part of the last year, I decided now is the time to get invested in these characters.  As a person who is quite contrary when it comes to movie adaptations of books I generally prefer to watch the movie first before I read the novel, minimising the disappointment I feel when they don’t portray the characters or the story quite right. Later I can then reap the benefits of the additional text in the books. Gone Girl is directed by the thrill seeking, David Fincher whom takes Gillian Flynn’s book and pulls no punches when it comes to translating this into a visual medium.  We follow a married couple; Nick and Amy Dunn, played by Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike respectively, on one July 5th morning when Amy mysteriously disappears. We watch intently as Nick Dunn strives to prove himself to the police and the public that he has nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance as more and more evidence appears damning him.  With some first person narration from Amy, the story takes twists and turns that reveal characters flaws and makes decisions that leave you unnerved but captivated by this relationship. Gillian Flynn has been quoted as wanting this to become the total ‘anti-date’ movie and that is what she achieved. Often the original writers of these novel-to-screen pieces don’t have much say in the final piece but keeping Flynn as the screen writer was a truly correct move for the production. Ben Affleck as Nick Dunn was a spot on choice, with the right amount of like/dislike qualities to make you distrust Nick from the off. Affleck, has had a troubled career with some not so good choices in roles (particularly around the early 2000’s) it was with the mega smash that was Argo that I think made most of us go - ‘wait Affleck a good actor? surely not!’, I definitely swallowed my words after Argo.  Affleck has gone from being a guilty pleasure to a serious contender on the awards playing field. Gone Girl just adds a big boost to his repertoire and definitely puts my mind at rest over the whole Batman scenario which has currently has Affleck down for at least two movies in the caped crusader get-up.  His Co-star Pike is without a doubt the stand out star of the film, her chilling voice over and intense glances really does make you wonder ‘what is she thinking?’. If anything she has the potential to be in the running for best actress at the Oscars. Though this may not be Fincher’s best work, his signature cuts and tension-building are there. He present’s a truly thrilling film that will have you giving your significant other a second glance. Flynn, Fincher, Pike and Affleck along with the cinematography, an enthralling supporting cast and excellent screenwriting make for excellent viewing, whether or not you have read Gone Girl, you need to see this film. 

P.S. I will be going to the bookshop and purchasing this novel tomorrow.