The Bible tells us that Elijah came unto the people and asked, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" David Fincher came forth and spake: "One hour and five minutes." Which is precisely how long he keeps us guessing in his new murder mystery "Gone Girl." Is Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) a disgruntled husband who nevertheless wants the police to find his missing wife Amy (Rosamund Pike), who disappeared under suspicious circumstances ? Or is he in fact one of those supercreeps, such as O.J. Simpson or Scott Peterson, who can barely put on a convincing show of concern when their partner is killed, probably due to the fact that they know what happened to her?
Fincher, working off a script by the author of the original novel, Gillian Flynn, sets up alternating narratives: Nick's version of events that he relates to the cops versus Amy's version, which she recorded in her diary. There's a big reveal at the film's midpoint, but there's no let up in suspense, although the plotting gets a bit more labored. Two opinions continue beyond the final reel, though, in a savage split between those viewers convinced "Gone Girl" is a pointed satire of the illusions underlying some marriages — Amy's "cool girl" rant is spot on — and the usual feminist cries of misogyny.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| Director | David Fincher |
| Language | English |
| Opens | Now Showing |
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.