Review: Gone Girl

Having read the book, the twists in the movie didn't quite surprise me much. To put a comparison between both would be rather unfair. For starters, the book was done in an entry journal style with lots of flashback. Obviously, it'll be tedious for the movie to follow suit though it did try to as much as possible. While it didn't follow the book too closely to the dot, it did have that same built up suspense.

The book provided more details while the movie felt cramped. There are many details that have been left out in the movie which would have given more impact to Amy's case. Or increase her psychopath tendency in the audience's eyes. Affleck shone rather well as the hapless husband. Pike had few moments of sheer psychopath with an overall ice queen demeanor which suited the character well. One thing that I don't like about Pike's potrayal or just the overall tone of the movie is the heavy Southern accent.

Like a bunch of rednecks.

Neil Patrick Harris played a small but pivotal role in the story development. Given how the movie fast forwards thru the book, it didn't give Harris' character much air time to describe his feelings and the other supporting characters (his mother who further proves Amy is a cold, heartless bitch).

Despite the movie following the plot-line of its source, I find its ending rather lackluster, unbefitting of the book. The full force of Amy's survival instinct is showcased towards the end. Whether you shudder at the thought of her murderous behavior or turn in utter disgust over how a human being could do something like that or like me, be amazed at the meticulous planning, the book summed it up rather well: