Gillian Flynn has adapted her own novel - interesting, as it appears she has had no screenwriting experience, though as a journalist for Entertainment Weekly for 10 years she reviewed many films and TV shows. In a piece in EW she reports it came about 'through a series of drafts and five-hour phone calls with director David Fincher'.
I see now that the oppressive pallette is Fincher's (not just Darius Khondji) - Jeff Crononweth is shooting in greens and browns (like in The Social Network) and in the director's favoured widescreen.
Briskly edited by Kirk Baxter (Oscar winner for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network), wouldn't have thought any single shot holds longer than a few seconds.
Of the cast, Rosamund Pike is a stand-out, also liked Tyler Perry as attorney (introduces some much-needed lightness). Still not sure about Ben Affleck - he seems the same in everything; not sure he does anything. Also nice to see Patrick Fugit in a decent part (his reactions help to set us up against the husband); with Carrie Coon (sister), Kim Dickens (cop), Neil Patrick Harris and Casey Wilson (TV's Happy Endings).
The theme of media judgement of the individual is nicely put forward. Take this out though, and condense the film, and you are left with a perfect film noir plot, which is what this film really is. Though in those days the film would have had a proper ending... (Zodiac doesn't either).
Liked the music too by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
There seemed to me a few nods to Hitchcock, and the last half hour finally introduces some welcome black humour.
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