Ellie Wells ‘18 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Gone Girl, the film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel, opened the New York Film Festival to rave reviews. At its helm is David Fincher, a two-time Academy Award nominated director. But can Fincher do the novel justice? As we wait for Gone Girl’s official release to theaters on October 3rd, we examine what Fincher’s past work looks like.
Sigourney Weaver in Alien³. Photo Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.
David Fincher’s directorial debut, while it performed well at the box office, was a critical flop. Plagued with a troubled production from the get go, many were disappointed with the direction the series, feeling that the series had come to a satisfying conclusion with its previous installment.
8. The Game
Sean Penn and Michael Douglas in The Game. Photo Credit: Polygram Filmed Entertainment.
While critically well received, The Game was a commercial letdown compared to Seven, Fincher’s previous success. Critics praised the acting and tone of the piece but lamented the story as sub-par.
7. Panic Room
Jodie Foster in Panic Room. Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.
Released in 2002, Panic Room stars Jodie Foster and a then-unknown Kristen Stewart as a mother and daughter aiming for a fresh start after the former’s divorce. While early reviews were positive, comparing the tone to the work of Hitchcock, today the film has largely been forgotten, thought of as uninspired and bland.
6. Zodiac
Robert Downey Jr. and Jake Gyllenhaal in Zodiac. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.Zodiac, starring Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. and penned by The Amazing Spider-Man’s James Vanderbilt, was released in 2007 to critical and commercial and success. Telling the story of the manhunt for the infamous Zodiac killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay area in the 1970s, it boasts strong performances and a thrilling storyline.
Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Photo Credit: Columbia TriStar.
Of Fincher’s adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s 2005 novel, widely lauded was Rooney Mara’s performance of the title character, one that earned her an Oscar nomination. Also starring Daniel Craig, the film (much like the novel) is dark, gritty and portrays controversial themes.
4. Se7en
Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman in Se7en. Photo Credit: New Line Cinema.
The thriller Se7en, stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives who hunt down a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who commits murders based on the seven deadly sins. The film not only boasted good acting but kept us on the edge of our seat throughout.
Brad Pitt in Fight Club. Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
Telling the story of an unnamed man dissatisfied with his life. When he meets soap maker Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), he is drawn into a mysterious new world. Although controversial when it was first released, the 1999 film is today regarded as a classic, and not without reason; it is raw, emotional, and composed perfectly.
2. The Social Network
Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton/Columbia Tristar.
Facebook, first conceived by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg in 2003 as a platform for fellow students, quickly ballooned into a worldwide phenomenon. The Social Network, released in 2010, details what went on behind the scenes. With great acting, a strong script and brilliant direction to boot, the film is a compelling look at what many consider to be an integral part of our daily lives.
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Photo Credit: IMDB.com.
Released in 2008, this awards season favorite tells the life story of Benjamin (Brad Pitt) a man born with the appearance of an old man who ages backwards. As he moves through life with a unique perspective, he crosses paths with Daisy (Cate Blanchett). The result is a compelling and true portrait of what it means to be human.
What is your favorite David Fincher film? Tell us in the comments!
