6. Justin Timberlake in The Social Network (2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiIpIrJM9bM In a 2010 interview with Fresh Air's Terry Gross, Justin Timberlake commented on the way he has constructed his solo career as sort of a series of characters. In a less direct but similar mindset as artists like David Bowie, Timberlake has approached both his 2006 head-turner FutureSex/LoveSounds and his recently released The 20/20 Experience with complete packages of aesthetic, theme and persona. Fittingly, the pop singer has more and more found himself both TV and film roles where his smooth reputation has lended a positive hand, such as his repeated SNL hosting gigs and even 2011s Friends With Benefits. In the days of Nsync, had the news leaked of an upcoming drama about a popular social website with Timberlake as the founder of Napster and under the direction of Se7en mastermind David Fincher, it would have been pretty unbelievable. First of all, Id say Why are they already making a movie about this new Napster thing, followed by, When is the next NOW! Thats What I Call Music coming out?? Even when the rumors did start circulating, it was very hard to picture. Finchers The Social Network is a rapid fire, Aaron Sorkin-helmed 21st century Richard III that takes on a cultural phenomenon that has changed the definition of friends and yet tells a story about simple human connection. Timberlakes Sean Parker is the wide-eyed tycoon that stokes the fire by basically handing Mark Zuckerberg a can of WD-40. He is restricted to the films second half, but absolutely plays a vital role in the story. Timberlakes cadence with how he speaks provides strong support for the character. In this film, Parker is the kind of guy who can talk your ear off for just a few minutes and have completely revolutionised your thought process. He is one of many perfect characters in The Social Network for Aaron Sorkin to be scripting, as he is famously known for his overlapping, speed of light dialogue. Justin Timberlake is simply a brilliant casting choice in that the character could just fall back on the His Girl Friday train that many of Sorkins actors have followed. However, there is something sort of terrifying in how Sean Parker speaks with such slippery confidence and dangerous motivation.