Ok, I broke down and saw The Social Network movie. Initially, I didn’t want to see it since I thought it resembled a clash between Doogie Howser and Animal House. I just thought the movie would sensationalize the whole Silicon Valley fraternity party-side of the Internet support culture. You know, teenagers partying while coding and coming up with the next bright idea. Well, that definitely was showcased in the movie, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised with the one of the best dialogues seen in a while.
The movie’s main character, Jesse Eisenberg, who plays the unique Mark Zuckerberg, unreals continual verbal assaults and sometimes two to three thought processes within one conversation, paralleling a computer program. His masterful quick-talking gets him into trouble with his peers, but makes him, as we know it, the success he is today when he transforms these thoughts on the computer for Facebook. There are different plots, leading us to questions that screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has us wonder: Why did Mark Zuckerberg screw over his friends and potential business partners? Was he just socially inept? Was Facebook founded to spite a college girlfriend? Is Facebook a way to hide behind his reserved personna? Did Mark just want to fit in? The big surprise for me is that after watching the movie, I didn’t feel that Zuckerberg ripped off the Facebook idea from the Winklevoss twins. The twins had the idea of the Harvard Connection, a.k.a. a dating site at Harvard. The site wasn’t even finished and there was no formal contract pertaining to confidentiality. Nonetheless, that idea and Facebook, although related, are two different ideas and entirely different computer coding. How many times do you see computer companies, for instance, smartphones, making a better, cheaper phone than the competition? Same idea, but just better programmed and cheaper. Same idea here. There was no copying of code or site text. Just a better site with mass appeal, and better tech support might I add. Oh yeah, the twins would have never taken the Harvard Connection to the heights Facebook has become so healthy competition here has benefitted millions of Facebook users.
Other notable thoughts: Justin Timberlake played his role really well. I feel less of a man to say that, but we’re all friends here, right? Timberlake should be getting more movie offers after this one with his charming aura as the Napster co-founder. Also, I did not feel any tension with anti-semitic feelings from the Winklevoss twins towards Zuckerberg as other reviews portrayed. Racial tensions did not seem to be one of the plots here which is a plus since this would have dampened the main social plots.
Overall, I give this movie 2 thumbs-up for 2 hours of talented screenwriting. This definitely lived up to the hype as this movie will leave you feeling inspired, yet asking why to a lot of unanswered questions.
