I thought it would be difficult for The Social Network to live up to all that hype. I was wrong. Excellent writing, directing and performances, along with a compelling story, make The Social Network an almost perfect movie.

Based on Ben Mezrich’s book (“The Accidental Billionaires”), Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay tells a version of the birth of Facebook at Harvard University, its staggering growth and ensuing legal battles. The film begins in 2003, with Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) getting dumped (and rightly so) by girlfriend Erica (Rooney Mara). He writes  vicious things about her (starting with her bra size) on his blog while drinking copious amounts of alcohol and soon hits on the idea of posting photos of female coeds and asking male students to rate their attractiveness. He obtains the photos by hacking into Harvard club records. His ideas and computer skills attract the attention of Harvard disciplinary officials and prestigious students like  Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer/Josh Spence. Hammer spoke Tyler’s lines and a computer generated model of his face was pasted over Spence). The Winklevoss brothers ask Zuckerberg to create a Harvard dating site; instead, with the help of roommate Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), he creates what eventually will become Facebook. The film alternates between scenes of the lawsuits by Saverin and the Winklevoss brothers and Zuckerberg’s journey. Along the way, Zuckerberg moves to Palo Alto, splits with Saverin, falls under the sway of Napster creator Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), sees Facebook become, well Facebook, and becomes the world’s youngest billionaire.

It is difficult to tell what is truth and what is fiction, but that does not detract from the power of The Social Network. The publicly known facts are compelling enough to drive this film. Sorkin’s rapid fire dialogue and quick scenes seem a perfect fit for this story. There is not a wasted or unnecessary moment in this film. Even though the majority of the scenes occur in dorm rooms, board rooms or in front of computer screens, I was riveted. Sorkin and director David Fincher make the scenes at Harvard as exciting as the nightclub and party scenes in Palo Alto. In lesser hands, these characters, especially Zuckerberg, might be unlikable. The filmmakers make the wise choice of also telling the story of Facebook’s cofounder Eduardo Saverin, and making him the film’s most sympathetic character. The story of Saverin’s and  Zuckerberg’s partnership and friendship make Zuckerberg seem more likeable and is also an integral part of the story.

I have long been a fan of Jesse Eisenberg;  last year alone he gave excellent performances in Holy Rollers, Solitary Man, Adventureland and Zombieland. He is just as impressive here. Eisenberg, mostly speaking in a monotone or short, staccato sentences, plays Zuckerberg with a social awkwardness that could be the symptom of a clinical problem. He also conveys the kind of focused intensity that might drive an innovator like Mark Zuckerberg. But he also manages to infuse the character with some charm. When Zuckerberg meets with Sean Parker for the first time, he listens worshipfully to Parker’s ideas. Eisenberg’s constant nodding and adoring expression during this scene gives Zuckerberg an appealing vulnerability. Justin Timberlake is surprisingly dazzling as Sean Parker. When he tells Zuckerberg that “this is our time” and says that a million dollars is not cool, but “What is cool is a billion,” his wide eyes shining with intensity, we understand why Zuckerberg falls under his spell. Handsome Andrew Garfield (who also gives a strong performance in Never Let Me Go), plays Eduardo Saverin with loads of charm and sincerity.  His scenes with Eisenberg are strangely moving, as they share their giddy surprise at what they created.

Sometimes when all the crucial elements of a film work perfectly, it is hard to know where to give credit. Is it the writing that makes the performances so strong or is it the performances that makes the directing look good? Or does the compelling story inspire good writing?  It is a credit to the film’s strength that I do not really know.  What I do know is that The Social Network is the best film I have seen this year.

The Social Network. Directed by David Fincher. Jesse Eisenberg(Mark Zuckerberg), Rooney Mara(Erica Albright), Armie Hammer (Cameron Winklevoss / Tyler Winklevoss), Max Minghella (Divya Narendra), Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin), Rashida Jones(Marylin Delpy), David Selby(Gage)  and Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker) Columbia Pictures, 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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