John’s Movie Musings

The Social Network opens with a classic line from Mark Zuckerberg’s soon-to-be ex-girlfriend, “You are probably going to be a very successful computer person. But you’re going to go through life thinking that girls don’t like you because you’re a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won’t be true. It’ll be because you’re an asshole.”  These few lines set the major theme of the movie, and anyone with a Facebook account probably couldn’t agree more… if not having a few other choice words for the guy.

Recently, the only Facebook drama has been around Zuckerberg’s “missteps” in regards to privacy.  No, misstep is too kind.  The guy wipes his ass with the things we hold dear.  But all this drama is nothing compared to ooze Facebook crawled from.  Lawsuits galore.  Hacking the Harvard network.  Destroyed friendships.  All things Hollywood loves for a movie.  Which is great since a movie about Facebook sounds about as exciting as one about Battleship and Monopoly (both becoming movies, btw).

Shocking everyone, The Social Network was up for Best Picture this year.  And you know what?  It deserved every bit of that nomination.  Justin Timberlake, who I’ve sworn to abhor, scored major points as the guy/douchebag that started Napster.  I’ve heard major liberties were taken with the story, but all the lawsuits were real, Zuckerberg wanted to create a site comparing women to farm animals, and his business cards really did say “I’m CEO…Bitch.”

Despite the great story, it has one of my favorite endings of all time.  It ends as brilliantly as it begins. Even if you don’t have a Facebook account (and who doesn’t these days?), you need to see this.

Grade: A+