Why I like The Social Network

It takes a lot for me to really love a film. I have to like every aspect of it. The acting, the screenplay, the story, the cinematography and even the music. But The Social network has all of these things.

The film follows the rise of Facebook and how its rise to prominence effected the people involved.  The 2010 drama was based on the book The Accidental Billionaires written by Ben Mezrich, and was directed by David Fincher and the Screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin.

To someone who hasn’t watched the film they may believe that the film focuses all around the development of Facebook, however this  takes a back seat, and the real focus and interesting part of the film is how the personal relationships, especially between Mark Zuckerburg and Eduardo Saverin, evolve as Facebook gets more exposure. The story may follow the development of a new social media site, but the themes of friendship, loyalty, and jealousy are classic. Because of this, more people are able to identify with and enjoy it. And this is why I enjoy it so much. The story is engaging and the audience feels empathy for both Zuckerburg and Saverin as both get rejected, Saverin is rejected from the company and Zuckerburg who is rejected from his friends and the people around him. I also enjoy how Zuckerburg is portrayed. Normally an audience would take a dislike to his character immediately due to his conflict causing personality, and the actions he takes. However this isn’t the case, the audience just feels sorry for him, as all he is trying to do is to get people to like him, and isn’t that what everyone try’s to do? And this is why I love the film, it shows how the same problems in our lives effect everyone, and when a international company is involved, the problems are just magnified.

As well as the great script, the film is beautifully directed which makes the audience feel they are a part of the film. Especially when the film is still at Harvard, when they first start coding facebook it feels like you are in the dorm with them, developing the idea with them. Moreover each individual performance by the actors is believable and excellent and just adds to the story.

However watching the film you do have to remember that the film is loosely

based on real events, and should be treated as more of a work of fiction than a

biographical film. However I don’t think this takes anything away from the film, as

it allows the film to be more entertaining.  The Social Network is one of my

favourite films and always impresses me every time I watch it.