As an avid reader, I’m usually pretty skeptical when the books I love are adapted into movies. Since Gone Girl is easily one of my Top 10 favorite novels of all time, I was that much more wary when I found out it was being made into a movie, but I was still very eager to see it.
If you have no idea what this movie is even about, here’s the trailer. It does a much better job explaining the movie than I can, and also, I’m lazy.
After seeing the movie, here’s what I’ve got to say: I am counting down the days until I can run to the nearest Redbox, grab a bottle of wine and my friends, and sit down and watch this movie again. That’s right people, I left that movie theater singing Gone Girl’s praises, and my ballad is far from over. Gillian Flynn, kudos to you, girl, for turning your twisted, enthralling novel into an equally suspenseful work of cinema.
Now, I can’t share many of my favorite aspects of the movie for fear of giving away any spoilers, but I can share a few things that will hopefully send you on your way to see this movie. First off, here are the top 3 reasons you should see Gone Girl:
1. Ben Affleck
2. Ben Affleck
3. Ben Affleck
Up until this point, you might have been thinking to yourself, “Hmm, I wonder if Livi thinks Ben Affleck was the right actor to play Nick Dunne?” Yes, yes I do. I have always been a huge Ben Affleck fan (and if you’re not a Ben Affleck fan, you have obviously never seen “Good Will Hunting”), and he didn’t let me down. His portrayal of Nick Dunne as an awkward, dispirited, clueless man was exactly what I imagined.
Because who wouldn’t pose with a cheeky smile next to the photo of their missing wife.
Something my fellow book fiends will find comforting is that Gillian Flynn, who was the author of the book, is also the screenwriter. Which means that the way she meant the characters to be in the book is exactly the way they were on screen. You hated the characters she wanted you to hate and loved the ones she wanted you to love, just as in the book.
For those of you who haven’t read it, first of all: read it. And don’t tell me you “don’t read” because you’re reading right now, so no excuses. Second of all, the most I can tell you is that it twists and screws with your mind in a way you never see coming, and in a day and age where much of film is fairly predictable, the unexpectedness of this movie should be sufficient enough reason for you to see it.
By now, my point should be pretty clear: you should go see this movie. Right now. Why are you still reading? Go.
WARNING!!!!!! MAJOR SPOILER BELOW!!!!!
If you have read the book and you’re wondering if Rosemund Pike portrayed Amy’s true colors accurately, the answer is hell yes she did. The woman took the role of crazy, psychotic murderer to the next level. I was terrified and impressed at the same time.