Cut to the chase: Don't be fooled by the premise, this is much more than "the facebook movie." This is the most insightful and emblematic movie of this still-young 21st century, revealing more than we might like to admit about the way we now build, sustain, and ruin relationships.
"You're going to go through life thinking girls don't like you because you're a nerd... that won't be true. It'll be because you're an asshole."
And so The Social Network introduces facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (Eisenberg) in a brilliant cold open wherein he breaks up with his girlfriend. On a plot level, this serves to set up the catalyst for Zuckerberg's eventual journey to create facebook. More interestingly, this scene reveals the tremendous irony behind Zuckerberg's inability to communicate with those closest to him even as he ventures to connect the entire world. Indeed, Zuckerberg attempts to reach out to his girlfriend and is instead, left shunned, dejected, and alone.
Since its release, it's become general knowledge that The Social Network is liberally laced with fictional dramatizations regarding the birth of facebook. Yet no matter how falsified the facts are, the core of the film - the relationship between facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his closest "friends" - remains thoroughly intact.
Since Fight Club, The Game, and Benjamin Button, director David Fincher has continually improved on creating exceptionally detailed films about men finding their way in the world. Notorious for demanding countless takes from his actors (the aforementioned opening scene took 99 takes), Fincher handles every element of his craft with admirable control. And in The Social Network, Fincher gets a turbo boost from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin's sharp dialogue. Similarly, Jesse Eisenberg, rightfully nominated for a Best Leading Actor Oscar, also deserves credit for crafting a superbly detailed yet subtle portrayal of not only the protagonist, but also arguably the villain of the story. Indeed, The Social Network is one of those rare stories in which lines of conventional storytelling are blurred. Heroes are not so spotless; villains are not so overt. But in the end, each character feels genuine and relatable as strengths and flaws are revealed (almost as if this could happen in real life...).
This dichotomy between heroes and villains is perhaps most poignant behind the camera. Screenwriter Sorkin doesn't refrain from painting a less than ideal picture of Zuckerberg. Indeed, all characters are arguably portrayed as emotionally stunted, misogynistic boys who are only concerned with exerting their manhood in an admittedly masculine society. In turn, these male characters often come across as shallow or selfish... at least on paper. Give credit to director David Fincher for injecting some much needed elements of joy and success throughout Sorkin's more nihilistic view on Generation Y. These boys may not be perfect, but at least they're young, rich, and ambitious.
Regardless of the facts or fiction employed, The Social Network paints an oddly ironic yet thoroughly revealing portrait for our modern times. After all of the bridges burned and backs stabbed, Zuckerberg reels as he decides to settle his impending lawsuits out of court. Indeed, the final book-end to the film finds Zuckerberg in the same position as in the opening scene - once again attempting to connect with a "friend." Except now, friendships are merely born of a few clicks of the mouse. And Zuckerberg still sits - shunned, dejected, and alone.
