29 January 2015

Book to DVD Review - Gone Girl from 20th Century Fox, Based on the Novel from author Gillian Flynn

Book to DVD Review

Title: Gone Girl
Studio: 20th Century Fox, DVD Release: (January 13th, 2015)
Staring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated: R (Restricted)

Order the DVD Online: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK

Synopsis: With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

Review: 4.5 Stars - So, I think I’ll start out this review by saying that I did this kind of backwards this time. I watched the movie before reading the book. EEEK! Right? I have no idea how that happened, but it did. I had read a comment somewhere that someone had said, or was told that if you don’t want to know the twists then don’t read the book before watching the movie. Not usually something I’d pay any mind too, but for some reason it stuck with me.

I’ve also been told that the movie follows the book pretty spot on and that this is one of the better book to movie adaptations they’ve had the pleasure of reading and watching, so that was a pretty big plus in my book. I had set out to read the book first and I just ran out of time. So when I was approached to watch and review I remembered the comment again about the twists and jumped at the chance.

To say I was a little bit excited to see this one was an understatement. I didn’t get a chance to see this at the theater so when the DVD arrived I planned a “Date” night with my hubby – take-out, popcorn, M&M’s and all – and we both watched and had our guesses from beginning to end on what was about to play out for these characters.

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike play the two main characters, husband and wife and the story is told from the present and then in flashbacks. It’s through both of these jumps in time that their story unfolds and just when you think you have one small clue what’s about to happen the first twist hits and threw these two viewers into a mind f***! Now I usually don’t swear when I write up reviews and posts but there’s really no other way to describe this movie. It’s numerous mind bending events that, not to worry I have NO intention of even giving readers here a hint to what happens, but yeah… be prepared to have your mind bent time and time again.

The plot as a whole was written amazingly well and the actors portrayed their characters impressively. Looking back I had wished I would have found time to read the book first, however I just might go back and read it after the fact.

I felt some pretty strong feelings throughout the movie and by the end I wasn’t sure what the heck I had just watched. Thinking back now the only thing that comes to mind is just how twisted this story is and how I was shocked at some of the things that happened as the movie progressed.

I highly recommend this movie for the story and acting alone… but there’s just so much more to it to make future viewers interested and excited that it shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s rated “R” so people should keep that in mind as there are plenty of events, language and adult content that might adversely affect some younger viewers. I mean I’m well past my teen years and this one affected me enough to make sure that I made this comment.

In the end I loved the movie. The cast was pretty perfect and the story was gripping and often I was on the edge of my seat and in awe with what happened from beginning to end. I hope viewers love the movie as much as I do; now to go find time to read the book and any others by author Gillian Flynn. Enjoy!

About the Book

Title: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Broadway Books (Movie Tie-in Edition), 422 Pages (August 26th, 2014)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: The #1 New York Times Bestseller

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

About the Author:

Gillian Flynn is an American author and television critic for Entertainment Weekly. She has so far written three novels, Sharp Objects, for which she won the 2007 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller; Dark Places; and her best-selling third novel Gone Girl.

Her book has received wide praise, including from authors such as Stephen King. The dark plot revolves around a serial killer in a Missouri town, and the reporter who has returned from Chicago to cover the event. Themes include dysfunctional families,violence and self-harm.

In 2007 the novel was shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar for Best First Novel by an American Writer, Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie, CWA New Blood and Ian Fleming Steel Daggers, winning in the last two categories.

Flynn, who lives in Chicago, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated at the University of Kansas, and qualified for a Master's degree from Northwestern University.