Gone Girl is a complex character-driven mystery in which a woman disappears and her husband is eventually arrested for her murder.  But in this riveting tale from David Fincher — with a screenplay written by the original author, Gillian Flynn –secrets and lies multiply as the case goes public and soon everyone has an opinion about it.  Everybody is wrong.

Fincher’s film works on two levels.  The first is the personal level of how and why the marriage between Nick and Amy Dunne (Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike) has floundered and how Nick is affected by her disappearance.  The mystery deepens as Nick doesn’t seem very upset, and as blame begins to shift toward Nick flashbacks reveal how their happy marriage has gradually deteriorated because of money issues, attraction to other people and the ravages of time.

The second level is more satirical, but still works beautifully.  It is the circus level of media attention that surrounds the case, from the Nancy Grace-like TV commentators who condemn Nick from afar to the hordes of newspeople who invade Nick’s quiet Missouri neighborhood to the big shot lawyer (Tyler Perry) who loves cases like this one and defends Nick as public opinion turns against him.  This level becomes predominant in the middle of the film, with Fincher and Flynn insisting that media coverage is threatening to overtake due process of law as our primary vehicle of justice.  It’s a powerful argument, and frightening because it is shown that swaying public opinion is not particularly difficult.

And then comes the twist.  The first of several, really, which throw all of our guesses and judgments into chaos.  At this point the film becomes Hitchcockian and we can only sit back and enjoy the ride.  It becomes a tour de force centered on yet another sociopathic character who manipulates everyone around without conscience.  A really grisly killing climaxes one story thread but the film doesn’t end there.  It continues, and we can only stare in amazement.

Gone Girl is masterful in manipulating the audience and genuinely startling in its plotting.  Not having read the Flynn book, I was unaware of where it was going, and I was consistently surprised as it went along.  The book may be, and probably is, better than the film, but this is a sensational example of how a popular book can be adapted into a great movie.  The acting is excellent throughout, with special kudos to Carrie Coon, who plays Nick’s sister Margo, and Kim Dickens, as Detective Rhonda Boney.  These characters are just as compelling as the leads, and a lot more likable.

But all the credit for this beautifully crafted film should go to David Fincher.  He’s made several thrillers and mysteries, most of which are very good.  Some, like Se7en, Zodiac and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo are exceptional.  But I think he has topped himself with Gone Girl, which is without doubt one of the finest films of the year.  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆.  7 November 2014.