The Social Network

“The Social Network” tells an engaging film with an unconventional story and characters that keeps the audience’s undivided attention for two hours.

“The Social Network” follows the story of facebook’s creator Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg). One night after a break up, Mark blogs and sets up a website in two hours that compares the hotness of Harvard’s female students, which receives 22,000. Not only does this gain the attention of Harvard’s internet security, but also twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer) and Divya Narendra (Max Minghella).

The three approach Mark about starting a new social network exclusive to Harvard. Mark agrees but starts his own network, thefacebook.com with his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).

After they expand to other campuses, the two met Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) who founded Napster. Eduardo doesn’t trust Sean, but Mark takes Sean’s advice to the letter. Mark moves to California to continue growing facebook.com (dropping the “the” at Sean’s suggestion). However, as his network begins to expand, his relationships start falling apart.

The story is told in a unique way, switching back and forth from past events at the start of facebook, to the two different lawsuit proceedings. The story flips at appropriate times, for example an event will occur in the story; then it goes to the lawsuits as questions are asked about the event that the audience just saw.

“The Social Network” contains a well-written dramatic script (Aaron Sorkin and Ben Mezrich), and although the film fails to contain huge amounts of comic relief it still manages to entertain. The dialogue between characters is fast, and often times is confusing for people who do not have a high knowledge of computers or algorithms. The script also provides a variety of interesting, solid characters.

The adjective most used to describe Mark is unprintable, but jerk works just as well. He is arrogant, analytical, unemotional and takes advantages of almost everyone. He is often socially awkward and talks super fast with an incredibly large vocabulary. Eisenberg portrays all these characteristics exceptionally well with accuracy and honesty to his character.

Eduardo is a smart business man and has a variety of connections through his family. Surprisingly, he is friends with the difficult Mark but he constantly helps his friend. Even when Mark goes behind his back several times, he continually forgives him. The role of Eduardo is more emotionally driven with anger and betrayal, and Garfield plays those parts perfectly. He provides enough emotion to play it convincingly, but fails to over-act.

Sean is the least likeable of all the characters. He too is arrogant, stretching the facts to make him look better. He is also paranoid, thinking that people are trying to sabotage him and his ideas. Timberlake unexpectedly accurately portrays these qualities in his character. He also plays the conflict between his character and Eduardo thoroughly, as does Garfield.

“The Social Network” also provides audiences with good cinematography (Jeff Cronenweth). Viewers see long single shots that follow characters around the Harvard campus. Along with high angles shots behind buildings looking down on students walking around on campus, even low angles that look up at the tall sky-scrapers of New York City.

Although, “The Social Network” fails to tell the happiest of tales, it still manages to intrigue audiences and keep them in their seats. The diversity of characters proves to be a compelling element as it uncovers the complex story of the founding of facebook, now a billion dollar company.

“The Social Network” is truly a great film that provides a different look at human selfishness and conceit, as well as telling a captivating story, with well-acted and well-written characters. It is a film that should not be missed this year, especially since the film is already generating Oscar-buzz. However, it will make audiences think every time they log into facebook.