This past Wednesday, my Communication Technology class and I saw “The Social Network.” I had heard some positive reviews from friends, so I was looking forward to this modern media-related movie. I use Facebook on a daily basis; so seeing a film about the trials and tribulations that were involved in the creation of it was intriguing.
The story is set in two different stages, with one being the progressive tale of how Facebook was created, and the other a static story of the meetings between Mark Zuckerberg, his ex-best friend Eduardo, and a handful of Lawyers. Mark Zuckerberg is the main character, and also a programming wizard at Harvard University, which is the primary setting for the movie. In the beginning of the film, Mark just broke up with his girlfriend, Erica Albright, and he is heart-broken. He mends his broken heart in the usual way… drinking. After a couple hours of drunken blogging, coding, and hacking, Mark had successfully made a website, called FaceMash, which compared all the women at Harvard, one-on-one against eachother. This was the beginning of the end for Mark, as that act had granted him notoriety among the technological community at Harvard, and also got him noticed by two brothers looking for someone just like him. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss approached Mark with an offer to help them create HarvardConnection. Mark took the idea and ran with it, improving upon it with his own ideas, and within just a couple weeks Mark had already laid the foundation for TheFacebook. From then on out, everything happens so fast that Mark is overwhelmed. The site spreads to Universities across America, and eventually goes International. It’s at that point that the Winklevoss brothers sue Mark for stealing their idea; a common, recurring theme in this movie, which always swirls back to the idea that “if you think it, can someone else technically steal it?”
All of the actors did a magnificent job throughout the movie, but I was especially shocked at two in particular; Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg) and Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Jesse’s portrayal of Mark was so genuine throughout, that from the beginning to end, I felt an emotional connection to him, and was actually interested in what would happen to his character next. As for Justin Timberlake, he had the same effect, but in reverse. I didn’t even know Justin could act, but he successfully made me hate him by the end of the movie. His portrayal of Sean started off as an intellectual media business mogul, but ended up being a slime-bag druggie looking to make quick cash. Excellent jobs by both of these actors kept my interest in the movie, but the other actors and actresses were also stellar in their portrayals of each character.
There are two parts that really stood out to me in the movie; the hacking scene, and the final scene. The hacking scene in the beginning of the movie really stood out to me because it was one of the most emotional parts of the movie, since Mark had just broken up with his girlfriend, which, combined with drinking, made for a very expressive sequence of hacking numerous sites. The final scene, with Mark sitting at the table, constantly pressing refresh, is one of the most moving scenes of the entire movie. He has fame, money, and respect worldwide, yet all he wants at that moment is to have, at the very least, some form of contact with his ex-girlfriend. It really works to tie the whole movie together, since it started with her, it is only fitting that it ends with her as well.
The main lesson I learned from this story is to always remember who your true friends are, and to look out for them. If they’re real friends, they’ll do the same for you. This was the main theme throughout the movie, because as Mark gained fame and wealth, he let his best friend Eduardo slip away, as he was replaced by the untrustworthy Sean Parker. As for others who watch it, hopefully they will at least realize that sometimes the old saying, “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” isn’t always true.
This movie is geared towards our generation. In other words, if you’re aged 14-20, or even if you’re older and use Facebook, then this movie is for you. To see a movie about something that many of us use every day is intriguing, and worth the price of admission to be sure. However, to fully appreciate the movie, make sure you come ready for more of a drama-type of movie, since action is pretty sparse. It’s rating of PG-13 makes it appropriate for most audiences, with only a few sexual references.
Overall, “The Social Network” was an excellent film. Great script, near-perfect acting, and a story movement that is unusually captivating for a non-action movie.
I give the “The Social Network” 8.5 chicken legs out of 10.
Declan Cross is a half-Jamaican, half-Polish Senior at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School. He is the only blackish student in his Communication Technology class, but he feels at home around all cultures. Declan is a captain on his highschool’s football team, and has an excellent booty. He is going to get 100% in Comm. Tech. this year, as reflected in his outstanding effort in all aspects of the course.
