Director David Fincher returns with a film that is going to be Oscar-nominated and talked about a lot. The only thing I remember about his last film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), is that it had Daniel Craig in it, that I was 65 when I watched it and that it seemed to last over 30 percent of my lifetime to date. Only 160 minutes, but it seemed like longer. The year before, he had directed the successful film about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, called The Social Network. While longer than one, but shorter than the other, it’s a non-napper even for people my age.
GG stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris. They are all terrific, especially the two leads.
It’s all about a wife’s disappearance and the subsequent hunt for her. BA is the husband. RP is the wife. That is all you need to know. The movie is full of surprises and Alfred Hitchcock-type shocks. You know what I’m talking about. No need to explain any more. Mum’s the word.
While not as spooky as last year’s great, and underrated thriller Prisoners, it is just as effective in creating its mood and creepiness. At times, it is also violent and bloody. I’ll say no more about this aspect of the film. Just be ready if you go. You have been warned. There is also a near-pornographic amount of on screen sex. Unless you are ready for this, do not go see this film. Just saying.
To a great extent this film is a whodunit – which adds to the who aspect, the why, and the what the heck is going on within the mystery. It will keep you guessing. Lots of red herrings all well fleshed out and plausible. I never did guess right and still fall back on the one time I had a Murder, She Wrote episode easily figured out in the first 55 minutes. Jessica might have the GG plot easily within her grasp, but it is so well concealed that you will probably join me in being fooled over and over. All I can say is, it is certainly worth the ride considering all the well-orchestrated clues. All production values are top notch, except the strange and misplaced new age music that permeates most of the background. Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross seem to be as lost in what should be in the background, as you will be trying to guess what is going on story-wise. Since the music is low-key, it is a minor distraction. Film wise they could have used a little Bernard Herrmann, especially his work in the film … wait, can‘t say any more. Spoiler alert. Non-spoiler alert. Don’t miss this film, but beware of the warnings.
Rated 3.8 out of 4.0 reasons this film is long but in this case long is pretty good.