The Social Network

[stuartboy]

Guess I am one of the last to see this as a freebie. Is it just me or are Jesse Eisenberg and Michael Cera virtually identical? Separated at birth? Especially those high-pitched voices! Haven't heard Mark Zuckerberg speak - maybe it was an accurate portrayal. Dogs must go mad whenever Michael Cera speaks though.

Film itself gets an 8/10 from me, made all the more relevant since I finally opened up a Facebook account this weekend so the terminolgy used made sense to me.

[Preston1990]

Thought I was going to dislike this one intensely a couple of minutes in during the opening scene, where Jesse Eisenberg was "sweet talking" (well his version of it anyway) Rooney Mara on their date.

Talk about verbal jousting and pedantry, Zuckerberg could do it in spades, the silver tongued devil! Just as well he (ultimately) had fame and pots of money to attract the ladies, coz he seemed to have zero charisma.

I'm not a great fan of Facebook in any way shape or form. I think it's dangerous on so many levels for the unwary and I must admit that I can't understand why anyone would want to record their innermost thoughts and actions and share these along with photos to the entire world for all time and under their real name. Why would you want to do it - yet it's obvious that plenty do!

I did like the film though. Jesse Eisenberg gave a tremendous portrayal of Zuckerberg - If that was an accurate reflection of what the guy is really like - then it was far from flattering. He must be one of the most intelligent, driven, yet vindictive, ruthless and uncharitable people around.

I was intrigued by Justin Timberlake's Sean Parker (Napster) character and his hold over Zuckerberg. Oh, the hours I used to spend pouring over Mr Parker's software product in earlier years watching downloads complete into the early hours. The Bros. Winklevi were great too.

Two hours sped by. Fascinating to see a germ of an idea developed into a full-blown worldwide multi-billion pound organisation - Really enjoyable, Loved every nerdy and geeky minute of it.

8.5 out of 10.

[prettyxcool]

Saw this tonight in quite a packed Odeon Covent Garden, and it was lovely meeting lemondrop.

The film was all that everyone has said here, and I agree the two hours sped by. Thoroughly enjoyed the film, well written, witty, and interesting. 8/10

Is it just me or are Jesse Eisenberg and Michael Cera virtually identical?

I thought that too, when I first saw the poster, I thought it was Michael Cera!

I must admit I am quite addicted to Facebook now, after resisting it for so long, not because I like to share my whole life with the entire world as some people may do, but just to keep in touch with people all over the world that I know and like to keep in touch with and don't often see, and this is the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way, I know, of keeping in touch in our own time zones, and really this is the best way of sharing photos with family and friends overseas too. I also have my privacy setting to friends only, or even a group of friends on any particular photo or item, so I choose and have full control who I share my information with. Very similar to the diary room here really!

[baty]

What a night - Cardiff packed out, no seats left and people turned away. First time I have seen that. OH said best film of the year, that's some recommendation from him! It had a plot, fast paced dialogue and gripping characters. Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg did remind me someone with Aspergers (as has been said before). The Justin Timberlake character was played so well as someone who could spot an opportunity and slid in to grab a piece for himself. Thought the Twins and etc. came across as the comedic counterpoint, thwarted in their attempt to have an exclusive pool of 'women', but they all acted so well.

What an entertaining film, would actually consider p*ying to see this again - oopps sorry for swearing .

Like others, have resisted FB for quite a while and have only started to use it - like Edwardo my settings including privacy, were all over the place and my daughter had to step in and re-set them. Very embarrassed

8/10

[Spanner]

I must admit that I can't understand why anyone would want to record their innermost thoughts and actions and share these along with photos to the entire world for all time and under their real name. Why would you want to do it - yet it's obvious that plenty do!

preston, speaking from the fb capital of britain, *ahem-did i mention that?* i think it's appeal is as it feeds the egotist inside many of the masses and as they said in the film, it's a little like the harvard club in that many people score their social standing based on how many "friends" they've got- even if they don't know them in real life! Oh and you don't have to use yr real name at all if you don't want to and there are a lot of privacy settings but i agree you do have to be pretty clued up to make sure you use them properly. I'm astounded by some of the information seemingly intelligent people give away about themselves.

[elski]

I enjoyed it and thought it was a good film and of course pretty much anyone with a facebook account is interested in seeing as it came about. But I do think this is way over-hyped and certainly not the best film of the year etc. Any really good films I've seen I can't wait to see again and it simply isn't the case with this, I can't even name some favourite scenes.

8.5/10

[Preston1990]

.........speaking from the fb capital of britain, *ahem-did i mention that?*

I think you may have mentioned that

"The Facebook capital of Britain" you say?

Tell us more. Spill those beans. Facts and figures please.

[midian]

saw this last night at last. and a friend saw this on sunday thanks to beate (thanks very much). he's a techie and was dying to see this because of the hype. i think he will get brownie (scout?) points amongst his friends when he says he went for free.

anyway... i avoided the reviews and reading the boards so that i would come fresh to this film. i have now read that the film (of the book) is based on the transcripts of the legal proceedings. maybe that is why i felt we never really got to find out why the two originators were friends in the first place. the MZ character was so unlikeable i was amazed that he was even able to attract a girlfriend and a good best friend at all - much less lose them. we get glimpses of MZ inner workings but not much of anyone else.

whilst i was admiring how MZ was hacking the harvard system and writing code whilst drunk i went with a friend who is a bit of a technophobe and doesn't use email. we both enjoyed it and followed the main story well enough. but agreed that there was something missing. 6.5/10 from me.

i liked it but not sure if it has, to my mind, lived up to the hype. 97% on rotten tomatoes. i think it was fun and witty but i tend to think highest praise should be reserved for a life changing or game changing film. i don't think this was one of them.

[pcRock]

I was intrigued by Justin Timberlake's Sean Parker (Napster) character and his hold over Zuckerberg. Oh, the hours I used to spend pouring over Mr Parker's software product in earlier years watching downloads complete into the early hours. The Bros. Winklevi were great too.
8.5 out of 10.

To this day, my brother still hates Metallica because the band filed a lawsuit against Napster.

[sarahjc78]

Also saw this at Silverlink last night... can't believe people turn up at 6:25pm expecting to get seats together and get huffed when they find out the cinema is full... love the comment of someone shouting "they can sit on my knee"

Was it just me or did the opening scene seem really quiet? Anyway, I really enjoyed the film being a Facebook fan, interesting to see how it all started. The twins reminded me of Jedward as they were pretty goofy and seemed rather thick in parts. Thought the humour was good... I wanted to hate Sean Parker for breaking up a friendship but kept thinking that Eduardo never really did much for FB apart from put a small amount of cash up front.

Kept me entertained for the whole film 8/10