The Social Network is a 2010 film directed by David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin and Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker.
The film was adapted from Ben Mezrich’s 2009 novel called The Accidental Billionaires. Following Mark Zuckerberg’s rise to fame, the novel and film focus on how Facebook was founded and the legal repercussions after its debut.
Although biographical, it is only Saverin who guided Mezrich in his writing, with no Facebook employee or Zuckerberg ever being involved with either project.
Image: imdb.com
Set in 2003 the film opens with a 19-year-old Zuckerberg getting broken up with by his girlfriend. In his own dorm room at Harvard University, Zuckerberg controversially creates a website called ‘Facemash’ – a website used to rate female students’ attractiveness.
Since he obtained the data illegally, Zuckerberg is placed on academic probation.
CRITICISM
The Social Network received mainly positive criticism with many complimenting the film for its captivating and witty writing. The casting decisions were favoured and most critics comment on Mark Zuckberger’s borderline antisocial, witty and controversial character.
Since the people portrayed in the film are still alive, their testimonies on the film’s historical accuracy are highly relevant. According to Moskovitz the film tends to dramatise history and Zuckerberg claimed that he wishes that there isn’t a movie about him while he is still alive.
That being said the film manages to portray a mainly historically accurate vision of how Facebook was created.
The film grossed a worldwide box office revenue of $224.9 million and holds a 7.7/10 rating on IMDB. Fincher’s picture was nominated for numerous awards, winning the Golden Globes’ Best Motion Picture for Drama award, and Best Picture from various film accolades.
I highly recommend watching The Social Network. Besides learning about one of the world’s most famous billionaires, the film itself offers a witty and captivating approach to portraying real-life people.
Final Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ of 5
What to watch if you liked The Social Network
- Steve Jobs (2015)
- The Founder (2016)
- Moneyball (2011)
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