Monday, October 25, 2010

Movie Review: The Social Network - PG13

Based on a true story.


Mark Zuckerberg, one of the founders of Facebook, is a Harvard student and after his girlfriend dumps him, he spitefully creates a site called Facematch on the Harvard network, where users can rate Harvard girls.  When the site is so popular it crashes the network, the Winklevoss brothers hire Mark to create Harvard Connection, a social network for the Harvard network.   As Mark works on it with his friend Eduardo Saverin, it expands to other universities and the internet in general, and becomes 'The Facebook',  and eventually 'Facebook'.

Since the story is told in the context of two lawsuits, I couldn't help considering "who is right?", and "who is wrong?" while watching.   Initially, Mark is working with Eduardo, who provides start-up funding.  After Mark moves the operation to California, he works with Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), the founder of Napster, who handles the business side and helps him expand Facebook even more.  Eduardo gradually becomes less involved.

Although the Winklevoss brothers hired Mark for the Harvard Connection, Mark built on the concept and added features and networking content they hadn't conceived of.

Mark Zuckerberg  is portrayed in a pretty negative light.  He is portrayed as geeky, vindictive, obnoxious and combative;  Jess Eisenberg does an excellent job in the role.  I have become a real fan of Justin Timberlake as an actor, more so than as a singer.

Content warning: There are a couple of very brief scenes of sexual situations,  and a few instances of bad language.

A very engaging movie.  The more you're into Facebook, the more you'll like it.










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