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How many of you logged into Facebook today? Did you at any time think about how this online social phenom got its start? Most of us log in, update our status, check on our friends, and then go about our day.  In the new film The Social Network we get a glimpse at the programmers who started this crazy ride and the financial court battles that ensued. This is not a documentary but instead a well written and perfectly directed account of the real life events that all started on the campus of Harvard over six years ago. 
 
It’s 2003 and Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is a Harvard Undergrad and computer programming whiz kid. Like most nerdy college guys he is struggling with fitting in, popularity and the opposite sex. When his girlfriend dumps him he does what most jilted guys would do. He has a few drinks, blogs some online resentment, and then writes a few lines of computer code to strike back at the female population. It is this small spark of creativity that soon leads to the raging fire we now know as Facebook. But the interesting part is what takes place in the several weeks in between. Was it truly Mark’s idea? Did he steal his creativity and call it his own? Did he burn one too many bridges in this fire? 
 
Three things make this film fantastic. One is the writing by Aaron Sorkin. Very few people can capture human interaction in rapid fire, emotionally charged dialogue like Sorkin can. Based on the book by Harvard grad Ben Mezrich, Aaron creates a script that is not simply a compelling story riveted in pop culture but a smart and often funny look at those who made it happen. Second we have the expert directing of David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). David takes this script and weaves courtroom negotiations and campus life into a fast paced look into these boy geniuses. It is as much a film about Zuckerberg as it is about his creation. Fincher has a way of always keeping that human element at the forefront while never losing the reason why they are all there. 
 
 The third element that clicks The Social Network’s “like” button is the cast. Eisenberg has the wit and dead pan delivery that is so important in this film. Mark is part geek, part pompous entrepreneur and part nice guy who longs to be liked. Jesse has the ability to encompass all of these elements on the big screen. The supporting cast is a dynamic assortment of young guns including Andrew Garfield, Rooney Mara, Rashida Jones and Justin Timberlake as the Napster king Sean Parker. Each gives 110% in making this flick above board. 
 
The Social Network is rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug and alcohol use and language but is more suited for the 15 and up crowd. Though not in need of an R rating it does have some campus antics that few parents would want their 13 year old viewing. At first glance this film seems to be made strictly for the 18-25 crowd; what with the young cast, pop culture references and styling’s. But it is so well crafted that I think anyone who appreciates films that look at human behavior in the form of non-fictional events will love it. The story and characters are so intriguing that it is not limited to any demographic. It gets 4.5 out of 5 friend requests. One you will certainly suggest to others. 
 
Matt Mungle
 

 
Review copyright 2010 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.