Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Social Network

Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) and Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg)
I went to see the new movie The Social Network yesterday. Yes, I am a member of Facebook, along with 500 million other people, it turns out. I have spent the last couple of hours reading about this fictionalized version of real people and how Facebook has become such an integral part of many people's lives in such a short time. It was created in 2004 and has made many people, notably Mark Zuckerberg, billionaires.

The movie is based on a book by Ben Mezrich, The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, which apparently doesn't have much to base its facts on other than the collaboration of Eduardo Savarin, who comes across in the movie as being pretty much shafted by Zuckerberg. But apparently that's what happened, as Savarin has now been given a very handsome settlement and has been added back onto Facebook's site as one of the co-founders, after his lawsuit against Zuckerberg.

Whatever. The movie itself is not really about Facebook, but about Mark's genius and the interplay between three people: Mark (played incredibly well by Jesse Eisenberg), Eduardo Savarin (Andrew Garfield), and Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). If Eisenberg doesn't receive an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal, I will be really surprised. He is unforgettable in this part. When I looked up Zuckerberg on Wikipedia, I was also struck at how much they look alike. I wonder if Zuckerberg talks and acts like Eisenberg did in the movie.

Sean Parker comes across as a real slimeball and Justin Timberlake plays him masterfully. I can't believe that he is really like that, given what I've read about him, but in the movie he is pretty sleazy and a really unpleasant individual. The movie may take liberties with real people, but it sure makes for an absorbing film experience. My favorite site for reviews, Rotten Tomatoes, gives the movie a 97% freshness rating, which is amazing. Obviously I wasn't the only one who liked the movie. And I can't imagine my life without Facebook.

One reviewer, Linda Cook on the Quad City Times, says it well:
It’s incredible how Facebook has become such an integral part of the lives of millions, and at so many levels — from those who check in once a month or so to those of us (and admittedly I’m one of them) who log in a couple of times daily. And it’s fascinating how such a relatively new development now has a “historical movie” dedicated to its origins.
I find it wonderful that I can keep tabs with all my old friends in Boulder, that all of my skydiving friends and acquaintances for the last twenty years, my family members (every one of my siblings and most of their offspring are on Facebook) show me pictures of their exploits and tell me what they are doing on a regular basis. And our vocabulary has definitely changed when someone asks you to "friend" them you know they are talking about on Facebook.

If you see the movie, I'd be interested to know what you think of it. I found it worthwhile just for the entertainment value, and not having been one of those aware of the origins of the phenomenon, I was also fascinated that it managed to make writing code and computer programming exciting.
:-)

17 comments:

  1. I too love facebook! The movie sounds like it would be very interesting!!

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  2. interesting...i will look for this one...i used to be big in FB...but it is waning...

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  3. I am amazed too at how much Eisenberg looks like Zuckerberg. When I first clicked on your blog, I didn't ralize it was a picture from the movie, I thought it was the real Zuckerberg.

    It's really an incredible story, and the movie is on my must-see list. I have found people -- and people have found me -- on Facebook, and sometimes that's good, and sometimes ... well ... *heh*

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  4. This movie has gotten wonderful reviews. I suspect it will have a lot of meaning for young entrepreneur types.

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  5. I plead guilty to being old and out of touch. I've been on the internet since way before Al Gore invented it, but Facebook is something I just don't get. Norma Jean feels the same way. I get invitations from people wanting to be my 'friend,' and I don't even know them. I'm among those who log on maybe 2-3 times a month. Oh well. Maybe I'll log on today. Then again, maybe not. Sorry, but it just leaves me cold and clueless.

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  6. Now that I made the above post, Norma Jean reminded me that an old lady friend I had been searching for for many years without success, found me on Facebook. So I stand humbled. I just thought though, that she sent me email 2-3 weeks ago saying her identity had been somehow compromised thru Facebook and she's cancelled her account. Served a good purpose though.

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  7. I'm just not interested in Facebook. I know, a sacrilege! But I just don't want that much connection, I guess. I share the important aspects of my life on my blog - anything else is boring. And I guess I feel the same way about everyone else's life. Maybe someday I'll feel differently.

    But that doesn't stop me from wanting to see the movie - thanks for the review.

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  8. Another movie for my list! Thanks for the review.

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  9. This movie is on the top of my list to see but I haven't had time yet. Facebook is fun but I sort of go in and out of it. I have discovered my fan page is more fun than my actual FB page.

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  10. Sorry, not interested in Facebook and not interested in the movie. Just not my thing!

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  11. I will probably see this movie when it is released on DVD. Then I'll rent it or look for it on Comcast On Demand. I have read quite a bit about this movie, but really had no idea how Facebook was created, and how it makes money.
    I check Facebook frequently each day. It's how I keep up with my kids and the younger generation, as well as some of my old friends, and even a few blog friends, like you!

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  12. It sounds like an interesting movie even though I'm not a fan of Facebook. I don't get involved with it and find that I keep up with the people with whom I want to communicate in other methods--phone or e-mail. I like a more personal touch, face-to-face, lunch out, dinner with friends or family. My circles jumped on that bandwagon and found they don't keep it up for long. Facebook isn't as face-to-face as I want. I like the concept of blogs more. IMHO

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  13. Wow, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 97% !! I usually don't agree with most movie reviews but RT is usually pretty close to my tastes. I will give it a shot.

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  14. I log into facebook a couple times a day as well. And I don't even know why! I definitely want to see this movie.

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  15. It's certainly a phenomenon, just so long as it's used carefully. Thank you for your message on it today, by the way!
    Your review of the film is very interesting. It made me want to see the film, but I don't think it's got to England yet so I will watch out for it.
    Blessings, Star

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  16. Love your review. I too loved this movie...not because I love Facebook. It's just a darned good movie.
    Mary

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  17. When I was in California I looked at my daughter’s facebook account. It looks like snippets of phrases about what people are doing. I am sorry to say DJan that I found it boring. I know it goes well with the fast pace life of the second millennium but I would not like to have to write what I am doing and where I am all the times. I am also not that curious to know what people are thinking and doing every day. So, I think it is great if it is something that interests you but it’s not my cup of tea.

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