10 Films That Brilliantly Nailed Topical Issues
4. Gone Girl
When even the author who penned the original book questions if she has killed feminism, then we are clearly engaging with potentially controversial subject matter. But at the end of the day this film has nothing to do with female empowerment or the feminist movement, but instead takes an equally damning view of both sides of a manipulative relationship.
Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are both incredible as pathetic individuals who form the worst cinematic relationship since, well, ever. Their characters of Nick and Amy are so selfish and mean spirited that it's hard to find anything but loathing for both of them. While the story is hyper-realistic at best, it serves as a great metaphor for the all too many real world relationships based on mistrust and lies.
The film doesn't hesitate in identifying the real victims at play here, those people on the sidelines who are used and abused with little thought from our protagonists. Emily Ratajkowski moves from 'that girl from the Blurred Lines video' to 'that poor girl who Ben Affleck's character treats so badly', while Neil Patrick Harris does well in an understated role that shows that nice guys too often do finish last.
The film is director David Fincher at his most nihilistic, but in a world with so many dysfunctional relationships you kind of get why.