The Social Network

After seeing The Social Network it became abundantly clear that as smart and talented Mark Zuckerberg was (and still is) back at his days at Harvard he needed to do something extraordinary in his life in order to feel special and get noticed. Creating Facebook made him shit loads of money, which in turn got him friends, notoriety, and exclusivity, all of which he was completely incapable of doing on his own. Zuckerberg’s social skills were so lacking and his personality was extremely rigid that it seemed as if he had no emotion at all. After finding out the story behind Facebook, even though some of it was glorified for the sake of cinema, I have to admit that part of me doesn’t want to be part of the Facebook world anymore. Zuckerberg’s dedication to the idea of this groundbreaking social media outlet is very admirable but when you see his lack of honor and loyalty to his best and ONLY friend, Co-Founder Eduardo Saverin, it may really disturb you as it did me. I have come to realize that Zuckerberg created something that has profoundly changed socialization forever but he paid a high cost largely due to his inability to connect to people. His actions towards others didn’t even register on an emotional level mainly due to his genius and dedication to the essence of Facebook. Ironic, isn’t it? What I found even more ironic is the fact a young man who was completely inept of socializing with his peers perfectly understood what people his age desired in order to socialize. It is within that critical understanding that I have to tip my hat to the guy. At the same time, Zuckerberg may have 500 million "friends" on Facebook but when your one and only true friend sues you it says something about the person you are. It says that you’re a jealous, low self-esteemed ass fuck with little to no sense of loyalty, which above all pisses me off.

Overall, The Social Network was a very good movie – a solid piece of cinema. Obviously, certain details were left out for legal reasons but the story that was presented was entertaining, thought provoking, and more importantly informative. Director David Fincher (Fight Club, Seven) flip-flopped between the past, which was the creation of the site at Harvard in 2003, and everything leading up to the present where Zuckerberg is entangled in two separate depositions. One deposition focuses on the Winklevoss twins (who are the EPITMOE of self entitled WASP jocks) who claimed that Zuckerberg stole their initial idea. The second focuses on Saverin’s. As for Jesse Eisenberg’s performance, it was truly exceptional and he did an excellent job displaying Zuckerberg’s genius, his callous and cynical personality, and his social awkwardness. Eisenberg’s ability to shell out hundreds of interrelated thoughts with intellectual superiority was astounding. Justin Timberlake played Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster, who at the time was an entrepreneur looking for the next big thing to make him money. When Parker befriends Zuckerberg things change rather quickly both in the positive and in the negative but it’s clear that Parker’s assistance took Facebook to the next level. Timberlake gave a very good performance playing the confidant and cocky Parker. His transition to the silver screen has worked out rather well for him and I have to say I enjoy watching him in the right roles.

Another thing that didn’t set well with me about this movie is the actual existence of these highly elite and exclusive Ivy League final clubs where everyone is preppy, egotistical, and has this arrogant sense of entitlement. Maybe I'm missing something concerning this because that world is very foreign to me. In the beginning of the film Eisenberg’s Zuckerberg stated that these final clubs would lead to a better life and the establishment of new and better relationships for one’s future. While I can't disagree with that latter part of that statement, undeniably networking and connections can get you very far professionally; I'm still in awe of the arrogance. Yes, it’s a privilege to go to any Ivy League school, especially Harvard, but the majority of people don't want to hear how awesome other people and their private clubs are. I couldn’t care less that you have a trust fund, or that your dad works in Washington DC and has several connections that will highly benefit your future, or that you’re a 6th generation WASP therefore you're apparently more American than me. Shit like that makes me fucking sick. I could say a lot more but I think I should end this little tangent now.

Is The Social Network worth seeing? Yes, and I suggest you see it. However, don't be surprised to feel a little dirty and uncomfortable when you walk out the theater. You may feel even dirtier when you log onto Facebook to update your status, tag someone in a photo, or do some other bullshit it offers. Whatever you do you should always remember at Facebook’s core was a lonely and bitter 20 something year old genius who created this phenomenon but burnt practically every bridge to get where he is today. For some that may not matter but for me I hold the relationships in my life with much more importance and respect than money, fame, and exclusivity.

Overall: A-