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Perhaps I’m a bit of pessimist, but on going to see The Social Network, I didn’t have many expectations of a truly great film. Instead, I was expecting a film laced with advertising, and glorification of money. I certainly didn’t expect to have wandered into one of the most captivating films of the year. Furthermore, there was no glorifying the money, and there was no product advertising, as seen far more shamelessly in other films, such as the recent James Bond films.
So, what’s the film all about then? Well, the problem that any filmmaker would come up with when making a film such as this is that the story has already been written, and at a time when the subject is ingrained in society’s everyday life. I certainly know that; Facebook (the Social Network) has become an everyday staple of my life - it’s part of who I am nowadays. So trying to create a film that should challenge my (and the rest of the publics’) views of the site, and of Social Networking in general, would be one heck of a challenge.
That challenge was soundly met, as I can without a doubt say that the film is one of the best films of the year. It’s no Avatar, as it lacks action or any special effects. What it has instead, is bucketloads more story, and a small shedload of human emotion. The film starts like it means to go on, taking place in small, cramped rooms, at the early hours of the morning. And what makes the films so instantly accessible is the ability of the audience to associate with the main character - out of luck with girls, a social outcast, and a little nerdy. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but everyone has at least one of those traits (or for some, all three). But no matter who you are, you can identify with Mark Zuckerberg, sat in front of you looking every bit the part. Jesse Eisenberg pulls off the role of Zuckerberg with aplomb, looking haunted, yet appearing uncharismatic, and downright lonely. Every shot of his face, you can feel his eyes begging you to let him be a better person. That’s raw acting talent, right there.
So we move on. Zuckerberg goes home, and carries out the now semi-infamous hack of all of the photos of all of the Harvard students, creating a comparison site called Facemash. Obviously, it doesn’t go down well with Harvards, but it shows him what he can do with his time. And thus Facebook is born - the site that would proceed to change the world. During this time, he makes enemies amongst several Harvard students, who later accuse him of stealing their code for a similar website. He also enlists his friend, Eduardo, to finance the venture, and to be the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of what was then thefacebook. Long story short, the site bring Zuckerberg fame, and with fame come women. And therein lies the true story, buried in this portrayal of Zuckerberg’s early life.
Women. It all starts with Zuckerberg’s girlfriend breaking up with him in a cramped little pub, as he’s such an arsehole. And that’s an opinion the audience will share for most of their viewing time. Zuckerberg has a few more run-ins with the girl throughout the film, most of which are snide, and do little to make him appear in a better light. In the meantime, women inspire Zuckerberg’s fellow Harvard students to create the Harvard Connection, a website which never sees the light of day. Its all about guys being from Harvard - if they are Harvard educated, they can register, and girls can see/date them. So Match.com, but far more elitist. This concept of women carries over to the now infamous Relationship Status on Facebook, which comes to Zuckerberg after being told a girl should have a sign based on whether she is single or not. Nowadays, if it’s not on Facebook, it’s not official. But better yet, that sign is now there for everyone to see, thus one of the fundamental concepts of Facebook. People want to meet people; Facebook lets them determine whom they really want to meet.
So the film progresses further, intermittently switching between lawsuits and social interaction - the film makes allusions to real social contact vs online contact. And frankly, it hits the nail on the head more times than not. Facebook just enables people to meet other people and communicate - but it has to its cost removed so much of what we use to understand people socially. Making somebody laugh on Facebook isn’t the same as doing so in real life, and you can’t make that connection immediately. Or you make somebody blush; as a result you miss that social sign due to Facebook, which you would not have missed in the real world. Perhaps that is true of all social networking tools, but as the film implies, Facebook is The Social Network. There isn’t anything else left, not really.
Facebook is what Zuckerberg is portrayed as - friendless, and socially inept, with a hefty dose of arrogance thrown in. You need that face-to-face contact, and like Zuckerberg, Facebook has none of it. Facebook has also not strayed from the fundamental principle on which it was originally created - ‘who on here looks good?’. You still check on Facebook to see how good somebody looks, and if you don’t, ever, you are one of very few. Add to that the fact that people so often add their relationship status, and you have a potentially infinite directory of people whom to rate. Zuckerberg said in the film: “After all the cake and watermelon, people want to meet other people. That is the point of Facebook”.
So, what we’re saying about this film is that it makes you think, a lot. It’s a bloody good film, and highly watchable, but don’t expect to leave the cinema without nagging thoughts about your own participation in Social Networking. At the end of the film, it shows Zuckerberg embracing a little humanity, and adding his ex as a friend, then waiting to see if she accepts him. That is the most human part of the film, and reminds you that social networking is no replacement for real social ties. It also makes you evaluate your own life, a little. Get off Facebook, and don’t be Mark Zuckerberg - makes some social ties, have a life. Thus I know what I’m doing tomorrow.
Anyways, this is a review, so the film gets:
9/10.
A hauntingly good film, with solid acting, directing, and music. But it’s quality is in making you think, about social networking, and about yourself. An extremely good film, worthy of your money.
EDIT: Obviously, thoughts/comments always welcome.
Edited by AJ, 20 October 2010 - 19:41.
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