Finally, after a busy week of submitting final assignments and completing exams, I was able sit down and watch Gillian Flynn’s ‘Gone Girl’.
One of my first posts actually
included my personal review of the book. I absolutely adored the novel. It was
heavily layered with brilliantly written, complex characters and the
suspenseful and twisted story line continually kept me guessing. The novel was
extremely addictive; drowned in scandals, narcissistic and sociopathic tales,
which made it utterly thrilling and quite dark to say the least. With this in mind, I was so excited to see
how the story line would be reflected on the big screen.
What I was particularly happy to
see in the film adaption was how often the exact text of the book was recited,
especially the sections from Amy’s diary which included many clues and haunting
recounts. As the language in the book
was so incredibly unique, descriptive, thought provoking and insightful, I am
SO glad to see that this element was not overlooked.
Additionally, the movie was really accurate with the book.
It included all the main events; in fact, I’m struggling to recall some of the
ones they forget to mention. I was even surprised they included the gummy bear
scene! This was definitely a film where I found myself thinking that yes, some
movies can be just as good as the book.
I was so happy to see my favourite character Go, was just as
colourful, witty and bluntly honest as she was in the book. In fact, the
casting was pretty much spot on for each of the characters. This aspect
definitely assisted in making the plot just as deliciously unexpected and
thrilling as the book.
I was initially skeptical
when I heard Ben Affleck would be taking on the role of Nick Dunne, but I was
pleasantly surprised! Since watching it, I could not think of someone better
suited. He perfectly adopted the role of the weary yet fiercely resentful
husband. Additionally, Rosamund Pike pretty much stole the show as Amy Dunne;
she left me speechless. She executed the role of the perfectionist, intelligent
young woman; plagued by the overbearing obsession with seeking evil forms of
revenge seamlessly.
If I had to choose one character in particular that I
probably would have cast differently, it would have to be Neil Patrick Harris
as Desi Collings. Perhaps it was my own personal interpretation of Desi when I
read the novel that caused me to be somewhat displeased with the casting choice.
I perceived Desi to be incredibly shy yet sternly possessive and creepier as a
character. The book allowed for more
detail when it came to Amy and Desi’s relationship and the inhumane actions she
was going to take to frame her escape.
Part of me was disappointed that director, David Fincher did not alter the
ending of the film. I was totally surprised
by the ending in the book, considering the relationship Nick and Amy Dunne had
following her disappearance. Although, in saying this, I did appreciate how there
was more reasoning and a deeper explanation in the film in comparison to the
book as to why Nick chose to stay with Amy.
As the movie obviously could not go on for hours upon hours,
it did lack the deep level of suspense and questioning that the book offered. I
do really recommend reading the book beforehand, just because the story line is
fantastically detailed and complex (I cannot stress this enough); diving head
first into the nitty gritty of Amy’s disappearance.
This movie is a cynical portrayal of the sexes and marriage. Although it is the dark, funny and brutal signs of the characters madness that make it so unforgettable.
Short review of Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl': http://australian-living-abroad.blogspot.sg/2014_02_01_archive.html
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