Movie Review: Gone Girl

Holy. Moly.

David Fincher's film version of Gone Girl hit theaters this weekend, and since my book club read this book a few months ago (click here to see my review), we decided to go see it as a group.

And oh boy, did Fincher capture the book pretty much perfectly on film or what? There were some aspects that were even darker than the book (Desi's "offing" especially), and only a few differences and characters left out or downsized, probably because of time restraints (the movie is already over two and a half hours), but he pretty much got the twists and turn of the plot down pat. And, contrary to rumors that had been going around prior to release, the ending is pretty much the same as the book. I know many had their hearts set on a new conclusion... sorry guys.

The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, and Rosamund Pike as his wife Amy, who move from New York to Nick's home town in Missouri after losing their jobs during the recession, and when Nick's mother becomes ill. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing, and Nick is blamed for her disappearance and suspected murder.

Affleck was perfect as the sometimes (or more-than-sometimes) unlikeable Nick, and Pike's "Amazing Amy" was just that. Spot on. Oscar worthy even. And Trent Reznor's score was perfectly haunting.

This film is rightly rated R for very strong violence, language, adult and sexual situations, and nudity. I would definitely recommend it only for VERY mature high schoolers (we're talking the oldest of the senior class here), possibly even college-age and up.

I give this one an A-.

Book Review: Sharp Objects

 

 

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Camille Preaker is a reporter, who, shortly after a stay in a mental facility, is assigned to cover the murders of two young girls in her hometown. But going back to her hometown means having to face her dysfunctional family whom she has not seen in years, as well as face some pretty big demons from her past.

Oh, boy. This book. It is so well written, and yet such a disturbing, creepy read that I had to read nothing but light, fluffy YA books after finishing it, and I still can't get it out of my head. It's got lots of plot twists and turns, as any good thriller should have, but the story has a way of creeping into your mind and settling there for a while.

I give this book an A, though part of me wants to give it a C- for the fact that I'm still creeped out by it.

If you like this one, try Gone Girl, also by Gillian Flynn