The Social Network

Pylades · Oct 9, 2010

Just got back from watching this. This'll be full of spoilers so don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled.

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I'd heard essentially two things prior to going in - a) it's really good and b) Zuckerberg comes off as an asshole for an hour and 55 minutes and then as a tragic hero for 5 minutes.

As far as I'm concerned, a) is more or less true.
It's all around solid performances - I especially liked Timberlake and the kid who played Edouardo. Timberlake managed to perfectly convey both the "party animal" and the "paranoid weirdo" they were going for and the Edouardo-actor managed to present a genuinely likeable character.
Sorkin wrote a fast-paced and engaging script even though you may disagree with what he chose to focus on (essentially, the trials between the ConnectU kids, Edouardo and Zuckerberg). It worked well enough for me.

As far as the stuff that didn't work too well for me - it's mostly the portrayal of Zuckerberg. Comparing him to the real-life version, the one in the movie seems a lot rougher. Don't really know what he's like in real life but seems softer. Additionally, the focus on the old girlfriend of Zuckerberg's seems off, especially when considering his real-life engagement. Having her be the driving force behind Facebook and using Zuckerberg trying to add her as a friend as the final scene - well, that really seemed over the top.

Additionally, as for minor nitpicks: given the timing of the trial they seem to be using too new versions of Facebook at certain times - but then again, I'm not really bothered by stuff like that.

As for point b), I wholeheartedly disagree. Without going into a Randian rant here on how greatness and those who are unapologetic about their own are hated by large parts of society - that's really the only logical explanation I can come up with why this estimation came into being. Sure, he's not always particularly friendly and can be condescending - but if you look at the story the movie's telling, then he has every right to be. Essentially the argument boils down to this: "Zuckerberg is right, he knows it and he doesn't apologize for it and goes even further by telling those who are wrong that they are wrong - he should share his own brilliance and not put others down!" - and I just don't find that very convincing. He stands up for his own "way of life", so to speak. His own geekiness - and through his own brilliance he overcomes all the obstacles. Additionally, I don't buy the second part of the argument ("tragic hero") either - it's the only part (albeit a huge part) where he's truly portrayed as an asshole. He sells out his "only friend" - and the film tries to lay the blame at the feet of the Timberlake character. This lack of loyalty and obvious fucking over - yeah, that's unforgivable and no one else should take the blame for it.

In a nutshell, I truly appreciated the movie and think it's a highly relevant piece telling one version of an excitingly fascinating story. However, the emerging interpretation is something I absolutely don't share.

Overall: 8/10 (would be a 9 without the annoying interpretations)

Stallion · Oct 16, 2010

I seen this lastnight, thought it was a far better film than I expected. Wouldn't imagine the hordes of 12 year olds and vacant looking 14 year old girls would be able to properly appreciate it right enough.

Got to admit, I don't know much about Zuckerberg, or the Napster dude (Timberlakes character). Unsure who commissioned the movie and how much influence they had in it, but neither of them comes across with any glory. Infact only Eduardo, and the smaller contributers seem decent guys.

What the film did for me though was fire up the creative juices. Im never going to be able to put together some kind of dot com phenomenon, but just the idea of getting out there and creating my own business rather than knocking my pan in for my corporate overlords does kind of entice me.

Something to consider.............

shootER · Oct 16, 2010

My oldest daughter saw this movie last week and really enjoyed it.

From what I understand, it doesn't accurately portray what really happened IRL, but is a good "movie" on it's own.

Volpone · Oct 16, 2010

IIRC, it is based on an investigative book where the #2 guy in Facebook was the primary source. And after it was published, the #2 Facebook guy was on the #1 Facebook guy's shit list.

Stallion · Oct 17, 2010

Volpone said: ↑

IIRC, it is based on an investigative book where the #2 guy in Facebook was the primary source. And after it was published, the #2 Facebook guy was on the #1 Facebook guy's shit list.
Click to expand...

Interesting that he's the guy that comes out best in the film

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Volpone Zombie Hunter

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