HIS Eye:
The Social Network does not only depict the creation of Facebook; TSN depicts the creation of a movement, a depiction long overdue. We've had movie aboutevery great event in American history: Civil War, WWII, The Crack Explosion, etc. But the greatest invention of all time (the computer) and its offspring (Internet, Microsoft, Napster, Google, Black Planet) have been jealously ignored by Hollywood. C'mon Hollywood, come to Papa Web. Not only unique (Original Screenplay) this movie is fun and it works. I left with an understanding of every character in TSN. Who's the bad guy? Mark? Eduardo? The Winklevoss's? Sean Parker? Facebook? "The Question" however, is who deserves credit for "The Idea". I will tell you who, but let me briefly examine the movie. Following a justified dumping by his girlfriend, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg retaliates like any normal person would by creating FaceMash, a website which allowed students at Harvard to rate fellow female students on campus. FaceMash leads him to campus infamy but, more importantly, to the Winklevoss twins who pitch him "the idea" which ultimately spawns Facebook. The movie hinges on "the idea", who owned it, and how it was crafted into the multi-billion dollar company it is today. Furthermore, the road from the hallowed Ivy League halls and Harvard dorm rooms to the carefree atmosphere of California and Palo Alto Venture Capitalist offices - a road oft travailed ;-) by Dot Com entrepreneurs during the late 90s and early 00s - is clearly laid out inTSN with fast-paced, witticisms (blink and you miss em), classy cinematography and style but moreso, with truth. Partying, drugs, and chicks with a side of lectures, fraternity pledging, and boring school functions is what college is all about. The directodoes a great job at describing college life, the creation of Facebook... and Facebook itself. If someone was to ask "what is Facebook?" all one has to do is show them TSN and state with affirmation "this movie IS Facebook." A meeting of minds, a party, a venting venue, a learning experience, etc. The Social Network is a social club and so is Facebook. Had TSN depicted the story in sequence, the answer to "The Question" may not have been as clear. The editor's idea of 'Quantum Leap'ing through time between the creation of Facebook and the subsequent litigations regarding the creation was important and leads me to the answer. The only person in TSN who is constant, who LIVES Facebook, is Mark. Eduardo has a crazy bitch of a girlfriend and the Phoenix Club. The Winklevoss twins row crew and lament close races upon the Thames river with the Prince of Whateverberg. Sean Parker is being Sean Parker and doingSean Parker. (He needs a Biopic starring the NSync dude) Mark's social life IS the social network. His girl dumps him, hello FaceMash. His best friend gets into the Phoenix, welcome Facebook. His girl refuses to reconcile, "we have to expand." It may be impossible to determine who should take credit, who shouldn't, who should get said, who was wrong, right. But while Eduardo and the Winklevoss twins wanted Facebook, Mark NEEDED Facebook. He need the social network to work because it was the only social environment in which he could exist. When society rejected him, he bottled society up, deleted its structure, and brought society not only to him but to everyone. No pledging, no fees, no family ties needed. As Mr. Zuckerberg said in the beginning, there's a difference between being obsessed and being motivated. Of all of Facebook's early players, Mark was both. In the end. TSN allowed me to see the inner workings of the Dot Com movement, not just Facebook, in a slick, unexaggerated manner. I give it one big Eye simply for being a pioneer.
- E
HER eye:
Superb movie! I give my applause.The social network did exactly what it sought out to do in 120 minutes of film time. The Social Network illustrated the birth of an idea and the rising success of Facebook. Brilliant the way the film makers draw viewers in while at the same time stirring a mental question of, "who should receive due credit for facebook?" Commendable the way the question than transposes to how much credit is due?. (Wait! How much percent of share's credited to Eduardo?)
The social network effectively collides the starting motivation for facebook with the rising and appreciation of the characters closesly related to the success. Right from my couch- I almost wanted to celebrate with Zuckerberg and the gang for the one millionth member. Taking a closer analytical look,I must say that Zuckerberg guy was a jerk! A computer savy, 1600 scoring on the SAT, socially akward, misfit, lousy business partner, genius but schovinistic pig. Can I give my honest critique?
This guy was a looser. He was no steve jobs ,or by any means was he the brains behind the operation. Take a Look, After being rightfully dumped by his girl Zuckerberg results to frantically ranting on a blog page publically humiliating the girl. Attacks her character as well as her bra size. I mean Comparing woman to farm animals? Come on now Zucker-bOOger.
Interesting how he says, "There is a difference between being motivated and obsessed." So if the ex girlfriend Erica was the fuel that ignited facemash which later opened the door for facebook. Was Zuckerberg motivated by ex girlfriend Erica, or was he obsessed by Erica?" The guy was pathetic and deranged if you ask me.
However, weather Zuckerbergs character and intergrity was all exaggerated for the sake of good entertainment or not, I still must give my applaud for a movie well done. The Social network is sensational effectively gives a brief background and understanding for the invention. (Thanks Erica) while at the same time giving insight and appreciation for the successful design. (Thanks again Erica)
For its illustration- I give the social network ONE EYE!!! (I see you facebook.)
-F
