'Gone Girl' Is Far Out
Many films adapted from novels don't pan out. "Gone Girl" comes about as close as possible to matching the riveting narrative of the book on which it is based.
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Set in Carthage, Missouri, with scenes in New York City, Ben Affleck stars a less-than-successful writer married to another writer, played deliciously by Rosamund Pike. She comes from a wealthy family and has had a very prominent career writing, especially a series of books about a character known as "Amazing Amy." The movie's storyline, told through a lot flashbacks, begins at their rented home in Carthage, Missouri. (It was actually shot in and around Cape Girardeau, Missouri.) It's the morning of their 5th wedding anniversary. He leaves the house to hang out at a local bar they have purchased with her money. Affleck's character's sister, Margo, played by Carrie Coon, is the bartender and manager of the establishment. Affleck's character is not too happy. And as we learn, neither is his wife.
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When Affleck's character arrives home later in the day, his wife is gone and from the looks of things in the house, she was kidnapped after a struggle.
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Soon the story goes national and media descends on the scene and the case, especially a fictional TV crime show host modeled clearly (and unfalteringly) after Nancy Grace. The lead local police detective on the case is played convincingly by Kim Dickens.
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Noted film producer Tyler Perry plays a famous criminal defense attorney hired to defend Affleck's character from the law and the media.
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"Gone Girl" is slightly longer than most films (2 hours and 29 minutes) but it doesn't seem so. The movie has so many secrets and devices among the characters and gets so tabloid as it goes along it becomes irresistible. Neil Patrick Harris plays an old boyfriend of Affleck's wife. What happens to him you won't believe until you see it. "Gone Girl" is unique and completely engrossing. Rosamund Pike elevates the entire film with her vicious performance. You may never trust a woman as long as you live.
