The Secret Behind 'The Social Network's Success

Now that almost every movie-going American has seen, or at least has heard of, the new Oscar-contending film 'The Social Network', there may have also been a subsequent confusion that has settled upon the psyche of said population.  That being, most people now know that key elements & details within the film's plot were, pretty much, completely fabricated, or at least grossly over-exaggerated.  Concepts such as the one where the idea is that Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook to either get back at or impress a girl whom had just dumped him (completely false).  Knowing this I would assume most fans of the film would begin to question why people are still buzzing about it, & why most of all they themselves cannot stop talking about it (if I'm the only one please let me know).  Well here you will find the answer; pure, simple, sophisticated, stylish, modern film-making combined with classically epic story-telling (key word = story).  Directed by the one and only David Fincher (responsible for cult master-pieces such as Fight Club, Seven, Zodiac, & The Game), the film provides the audience with graceful & genuine performances from very talented young actors; Jesse Eisenburg, Andrew Garfield, Mara Rooney, & Justin Timberlake (believe it or not he's actually pretty damn good).  One thing that helps produce such genuine performances is Fincher's directing style, for he is known to have his actors do one-hundred-plus takes of individual scenes.   But the actors need words to read right?  Well that's where Aaron Sorkin comes in, who has written dialogue for television's The West Wing & the infamous A Few Good Men (most people remember at least one line from that famous courtroom scene).  The story written by Sorkin deals with themes that are as old as story-telling itself; pride, ambition, friendship, betrayal, status.  These themes set against a contemporary backdrop is a key ingredient to this film's success.  To top it off, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails teamed up with Atticus Ross to score the film.  This really helped put that seal of Fincher freshness on the package.  Dark, ominous, & yet somehow innocent music helps create a very serious & engaging tone (as opposed to a potential fun college tone).  Did  I mention the actors?! Jesse Eisenburg produces an incredible performance, portraying an emotionally-shallow (or at least closed-off) individual.  But honestly, Andrew Garfield may have been the best in the film, if I were to judge.  He presents to us a person with such a big heart, and we watch him get walked all over, and we really feel his pain.  Andrew was definitely robbed of an Academy Award nomination, but I'm sure one will be coming to him in the near future.  SO, don't be confused by all the fiction & hype, and just treat yourself to an all-around good flick. -