Gone Girl

A dark, disturbing novel such as Gone Girl got itself its ideal cinematic translator in director David Fincher. The movie's script is by the novel's author, former Entertainment Weekly critic Gillian Flynn. Anyone expecting a twisted tale will get their money's worth.

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) thought he met his "Amazing Amy" Elliot (Rosamund Pike), the model of her parents' children's book series. They thought that their wedding two years later was the best thing ever. After a few years, however, they've grown to loathe each other. It got worst once they moved to North Carthage to settle Nick's family affairs.

July 5th, 2012. Their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick's awfully-wedded wife finds a new way to torment her husband: she disappears.

The Feds and Police immediately start searching for Amy. The media immediately pegs Nick their prime suspect before they have any evidence. Nick's double life comes to light before public eyes. And we, the audience, see "Amazing Amy's" double-life ... revealing her as a cracked shell one best avoid.

Much of the film is told in Amy's voice-over narration. The first half pegs her as an innocent, frightened woman. The second half reveals her self-destructive, narcissistic, misanthropic true nature. Pike's performance easily allows the audience to sympathize with her before the revelation.

As Nick, Ben Affleck also allows the audience to feel for him. His every public appearance is taken out-of-context and the private pressure is building. Amy's narration does put his audience sympathy levels on shaky ground before the reveal.

Many of David Fincher's usual contributors (Editor Kirk Baxter, Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and Composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) efficiently build up the suspense and suspicion with their contributions. You will be kept on edge throughout the picture. Carrie Coon as Nick's sister Margo and Tyler Perry as Nick's Lawyer Tanner Bolt are great supporting cast members.

Gone Girl is one of the best thrillers I've seen and one of the best of the year. The suspense works even if you already know what to expect. That's what great direction and a great screenplay should do.