"Gone Girl" movie

[Ns1]

I found it kind of stupid and boring, but there were a few specific scenes that I really enjoyed. I think I just wanted to the whole movie to be Affleck, his sister, and the cops, once it veered off into the other stuff I completely lost interest.

KT

whoa wait a second, you don't hate Affleck? what's wrong with you?


I really enjoyed Pike's character.

 

[KeithTalent]

whoa wait a second, you don't hate Affleck? what's wrong with you?


I really enjoyed Pike's character.

Nah I thought he was really good.

I found Pike's character pretty obnoxious. I will re-watch this one at some point though, I think knowing how things work I may actually like the film more on a second watch.

KT

 

[smackababy]

If they had simply left out the "twist", it would have been a better movie IMO. Had Fincher had Affleck put together all the pieces and never show his wife, leaving you with some kind of ambiguity as to what really happened, I'd much preferred it. The suspension of disbelief was lost once that happened.

Spoiler

How can one stage a crime scene, along with losing a lot of blood and cleaning it up, in the span of 2 hours? And, what cop would even begin to believe the journal? Especially, with the last entry? Plus, who would leave all those toys in his sisters garage?

 

[KeithTalent]

Agree, that was all really stupid. I think that is what left me so disappointed with the movie; the first part felt like it was going to be a bit of a procedural, similar to Zodiac, which is easily Fincher's best film, but then it took a turn for the absurd and totally lost me.

KT

 

[Ns1]

The book author was also the screenwriter, so if you have problems with the plot then you have problems with the source material ^_^

Agree, that was all really stupid. I think that is what left me so disappointed with the movie; the first part felt like it was going to be a bit of a procedural, similar to Zodiac, which is easily Fincher's best film, but then it took a turn for the absurd and totally lost me.

dafuq?

I'll rewatch Zodiac but man, I thought Fight Club/Se7en shat on Zodiac.

 

[smackababy]

The book author was also the screenwriter, so if you have problems with the plot then you have problems with the source material ^_^

Which I do! It is contrived and unpossible.

Had they simply changed the timeline to an appeal investigation or a PI following up years after the media shitstorm, I'd have an easier time believing.


For what it is worth though, I thought it was well acted. Even minor characters (NPH and Tyler Perry) did fantastic jobs, IMO.

dafuq?

I'll rewatch Zodiac but man, I thought Fight Club/Se7en shat on Zodiac.

Panic Room is probably my favorite, but that is because I read Fight Club before the movie, so the movie kind lost it's impact; well, and the invention of a HDD in 1956 kind was a bit of a giant plot hole.

 

[KeithTalent]

The book author was also the screenwriter, so if you have problems with the plot then you have problems with the source material ^_^



dafuq?

No doubt; I have not read the book, but I discussed with a friend who had read it and was debating whether she should go to the movie or not. Seems I would indeed have the same issues.

What are you confused about bro? This is indisputable. Zodiac >*. It's pretty close to a perfect film.

KT

FWIW, my ranks:

1. Zodiac
2. The Game
3. Se7en
4. Fight Club
5. The Social Network
6. Panic Room
7. Gone Girl
8. Benjamin Button
9. Alien 3
10. Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

 

[Kev]

I was really annoyed with the end of this, how they didn't even *try* to prove that the wife was a psycho. There was plenty of evidence and holes in her story. The only explanation I can fathom is the husband somehow subconsciously *wanted* to stay with her, but that is kind of farfetched.

 

[smackababy]

I was really annoyed with the end of this, how they didn't even *try* to prove that the wife was a psycho. There was plenty of evidence and holes in her story. The only explanation I can fathom is the husband somehow subconsciously *wanted* to stay with her, but that is kind of farfetched.

Spoiler

The idea was she was having his child, and, in a sick sort of way, he did want to be with her. Her explanation that because he knew her so well he could convince her to return, after framing him for murder, via a simple speech was proof they really did know each other so well they belong together. She went to the fertility clinic and got pregnant with his baby and kind of trapped him, at least, for awhile. There was no way he was winning custody in a normal breakup and proving she did all that intentionally wasn't likely either. Who is going to believe a girl faked her own murder, seduced some guy known for stalking (according to her), and then murdered him in cold blood and returned to her husband. Pretty far fetched.

And that, my friends, highlights the entire problem I have with the movie. =(

 

[Svnla]

I saw the movie. The wife is so pretty outside (a bit skinny for my taste) but so rotten inside. The rich boyfriend is not a believeable character (if he is that rich and sucessful, why he is still chasing her after all those years and her "shady reputation"). The other boyfriend (poor one) is much more believeable. But I do like the little twists in the movie and to the end.

Solid 8/10 for me.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Solid 8/10 for me.

I agree, it kept me entertained even if there were some minor problems with the story.

 

[BoberFett]

Spoiler

The idea was she was having his child, and, in a sick sort of way, he did want to be with her. Her explanation that because he knew her so well he could convince her to return, after framing him for murder, via a simple speech was proof they really did know each other so well they belong together. She went to the fertility clinic and got pregnant with his baby and kind of trapped him, at least, for awhile. There was no way he was winning custody in a normal breakup and proving she did all that intentionally wasn't likely either. Who is going to believe a girl faked her own murder, seduced some guy known for stalking (according to her), and then murdered him in cold blood and returned to her husband. Pretty far fetched.

And that, my friends, highlights the entire problem I have with the movie. =(

It goes beyond that though. The circus surrounding the whole thing is partly to blame as well. The corrupt media, the bumbling police, the outraged public. Do you really think they're going to go back and admit they were wrong? That rarely happens.

The problem wasn't just with him and his wife. The reason there was no justice in the end was because of everybody.

 

[smackababy]

It goes beyond that though. The circus surrounding the whole thing is partly to blame as well. The corrupt media, the bumbling police, the outraged public. Do you really think they're going to go back and admit they were wrong? That rarely happens.

The problem wasn't just with him and his wife. The reason there was no justice in the end was because of everybody.

The problem is that wasn't what the movie was about. I mean, sure it was there, but just as background noise. They had a chance to make it about how the media crucifies those we find guilty, regardless of actual facts or outcome of the case. There was no ambiguity as to whether or not he set up anything of this or whether he even did it. It was clearly explained. It was no longer about the media or the circumstances. It was just about a psychopath, and a rather silly one at that. It could have built into something great, but it just fell flat. And it really sucked, because the acting was good, the setting was good, it was shot well. It just lacked in the good story department.

 

[Printer Bandit]

rosayum

 

[Ns1]

The problem is that wasn't what the movie was about. I mean, sure it was there, but just as background noise. They had a chance to make it about how the media crucifies those we find guilty, regardless of actual facts or outcome of the case. There was no ambiguity as to whether or not he set up anything of this or whether he even did it. It was clearly explained. It was no longer about the media or the circumstances. It was just about a psychopath, and a rather silly one at that. It could have built into something great, but it just fell flat. And it really sucked, because the acting was good, the setting was good, it was shot well. It just lacked in the good story department.

dunno, I agree with BF's analysis.

Spoiler

The final interview with the wife would definitely support that analysis, since the FBI was clearly trying to just hammer home a guilty verdict for NPH's character w/o further investigation and the "nancy grace" character personified the public outrage to find a guilty verdict at any cost

. Seems like social commentary to me.

 

[smackababy]

dunno, I agree with BF's analysis.

Spoiler

The final interview with the wife would definitely support that analysis, since the FBI was clearly trying to just hammer home a guilty verdict for NPH's character w/o further investigation and the "nancy grace" character personified the public outrage to find a guilty verdict at any cost

My issue is that is lost completely among the much of the story.

Spoiler

Had they done the same thing to Affleck's character, and we gotten zero "proof" his wife had one this; only to have him discover the evidence and figure it out, her return with her rape story, and the public outrage shift towards NPH the movie would have been better IMO. By specifically detailing her "planning out the staged murder" and that crap, we lose everything that could have been subtle and meaningful.

 

[BoberFett]

I haven't read the book, but the person I saw the movie with has, and she did say that the movie left something to be desired simply due to lack of time. Also, she felt that they spent too much of the movie on Affleck, leaving too little on some of what you called "background noise".

 

[KeithTalent]

I'm with smackababy. It did not do enough with that stuff to make it meaningful, even the Tyler Perry stuff (he was great by the way) seemed like barely an after thought. The film either needed to be way longer to bring in more of that stuff so that it actually felt like a commentary, or trimmed way down to focus on the mystery of it all. Bringing in the little pieces like they did just made it feel kind of messy

KT

 

[rockyct]

My issue is that is lost completely among the much of the story.

Spoiler

Had they done the same thing to Affleck's character, and we gotten zero "proof" his wife had one this; only to have him discover the evidence and figure it out, her return with her rape story, and the public outrage shift towards NPH the movie would have been better IMO. By specifically detailing her "planning out the staged murder" and that crap, we lose everything that could have been subtle and meaningful.

I just saw the movie yesterday and I really enjoyed it. In my opinion, they did a good job with the media commentary and I think it's better that the viewer's perspective changes in each part of the movie. The media wants a narrative, and wants the pieces to fit into the narrative. At first, they want a mourning husband and parents. Affleck has missteps like smiling for photos and appearing to soak up the attention. The parents know how to play the media because they've been doing it for 30 years. The missteps that at first were ignored instead become a major focus of the media. The spotlights shifts to the husband being the prime suspect so smiling in phones with women makes him look guilty. We also see Affleck using the media to his advantage to get Pike to come out of hiding.

I think NPH's character dies because he pretty much has to without the story becoming ridiculously over the top. Unlike Affleck's character, he has a ton of money to afford the best lawyers right off the bat and can do the digging for evidence that Affleck couldn't. As it is, unless he was a hermit, there are people would could prove that he wasn't in Missouri the day of the murder. With him alive, he could say to look at the casino for footage of their meeting and they would have a photo of her disguise they could blanket across the area for sightings and probably would find the car she ditched, the room she rented, the payphone she called NPH from, etc. Pike's character was able to control the situation at her house, but she couldn't control what evidence NPH left until she was at the house. No one is looking for evidence at the between time because Affleck didn't have the resources to find it or know where to start looking. Murdering NPH helps close the loose strands that she left behind.

If NPH lived, I suppose the story could have gone to him redeeming himself after all of the evidence comes out and the media now focusing on her being a raging psychopath but I think the story would end would end too perfectly. Affleck would become a saint and get rich from his tell all book, NPH would sue the media, and she would rot away, maybe not in prison for long, but in her own personal hell. I think the movie ends in a far better way. Each person gets what they want in a way (a baby and a "perfect" husband) but it's still a hell that they are both trapped in. She trapped him with a baby, but he trapped her in boring house in the Midwest.

 

[HumblePie]

I enjoyed the movie as well. It's not my favorite of all time, but it was certainly worth the watch. For me it was a bit refreshing because I hadn't read the book, watched a single commercial, or knew anything about it before going in. I just happened to be in a mood to watch a movie with my wife a few weeks ago and picked this one because of the solid review numbers off IMDB and Rottentomatoes. With that said the wife hated it. then again, she mostly hated the sex scenes. Yah she's a bit of a prude when it comes to on screen sex for some reason even if this movie barely had anything of that nature. Although Emily Ratajkowski was... very nice.

But I digress. The point of the movie, while seemingly completely unbelievable to the watcher, is because as the watcher we have all the knowledge. Which led to the movie being more a social commentary about both the media and law enforcement in this country. Media wants a good story, and law enforcement mostly wants an easy answer with a predictable bad guy. That was the real crux of the movie and if you think about how the movie played out with the narrative of what happened you'll see how good of a job the movie does in that respect.

 

[rockyct]

I enjoyed the movie as well. It's not my favorite of all time, but it was certainly worth the watch. For me it was a bit refreshing because I hadn't read the book, watched a single commercial, or knew anything about it before going in. I just happened to be in a mood to watch a movie with my wife a few weeks ago and picked this one because of the solid review numbers off IMDB and Rottentomatoes. With that said the wife hated it. then again, she mostly hated the sex scenes. Yah she's a bit of a prude when it comes to on screen sex for some reason even if this movie barely had anything of that nature. Although Emily Ratajkowski was... very nice.

But I digress. The point of the movie, while seemingly completely unbelievable to the watcher, is because as the watcher we have all the knowledge. Which led to the movie being more a social commentary about both the media and law enforcement in this country. Media wants a good story, and law enforcement mostly wants an easy answer with a predictable bad guy. That was the real crux of the movie and if you think about how the movie played out with the narrative of what happened you'll see how good of a job the movie does in that respect.

I think the most unbelievable thing is that someone would spend at least a year in planning to frame her husband for her murder and then either plan to kill herself or somehow live in secret the rest of her life. How she framed her husband I thought made sense. She was not perfect in setting it up but the cop's red flags eventually got drowned out by her partner and the rest of country. The cop knew the partially charred diary was fishy and the woodshed scene didn't make sense, but the husband was the only suspect and made sense in the overall picture. I can see a scorned wife wishing she could send her husband to prison, but the dedication to it would be intense. She would have to end her life either literally or figuratively. She may not want to see her parents or friends again, but she would have no one and it would be hard to live a life without any help if she couldn't use her SSN unless she somehow got to South America.

 

[Ns1]

I think the most unbelievable thing is that someone would spend at least a year in planning to frame her husband for her murder and then either plan to kill herself or somehow live in secret the rest of her life. How she framed her husband I thought made sense. She was not perfect in setting it up but the cop's red flags eventually got drowned out by her partner and the rest of country. The cop knew the partially charred diary was fishy and the woodshed scene didn't make sense, but the husband was the only suspect and made sense in the overall picture. I can see a scorned wife wishing she could send her husband to prison, but the dedication to it would be intense. She would have to end her life either literally or figuratively. She may not want to see her parents or friends again, but she would have no one and it would be hard to live a life without any help if she couldn't use her SSN unless she somehow got to South America.

I guess you don't know any women.

 

[Kaido]

N-n-n-necro!

Caught this on TV the other day, pretty good! Better than I thought it would be, especially for an Affleck movie. Scary thing is how easy stuff like this happens. Similar thing happened to my uncle (not to the extent of the movie, but it completely wrecked his life despite everyone finding out what actually happened). Wasn't super happy with the ending, but I understand why they finished it like that.

NPH's lake house was amaaaaaaaaazing.

 

[ImpulsE69]

No doubt; I have not read the book, but I discussed with a friend who had read it and was debating whether she should go to the movie or not. Seems I would indeed have the same issues.

What are you confused about bro? This is indisputable. Zodiac >*. It's pretty close to a perfect film.

KT

FWIW, my ranks:

1. Zodiac
2. The Game
3. Se7en
4. Fight Club
5. The Social Network
6. Panic Room
7. Gone Girl
8. Benjamin Button
9. Alien 3
10. Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I know this is an old thread and maybe you've come to your senses by now, but it is a shock to see Alien 3 in that list.