The Social Network - DVD

Film: There should probably be no question that David Fincher ("Fight Club", "Seven") is one of the best directors Hollywood currently has to offer. For his latest stroke of genius, Fincher has teamed up with one of TV's finest writers, "West Wing" inventor Aaron Sorkin. The two brilliant minds devote their joint work to a subject that, at first glance, doesn't really sound like it would make for exciting material for a feature film. But far from it: the story about the creation of "Facebook", which is the focus of "The Social Network", is one of the most entertaining, best and most successful films of 2010.

When Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is dumped by his girlfriend in the fall of 2003, he turns his frustration into programming a program that allows users to rate female students on campus based on their attractiveness. This invasion of his fellow students' privacy, as well as the campus's private network, gets Mark into a lot of trouble. But he also attracts the attention of a group of students who ask for his help in programming a social network for the campus. Mark agrees, but is inspired by the assignment to come up with a different idea. What Mark doesn't yet suspect is that not only will this idea one day grow into the billion-dollar company that is Facebook. He will also have to fight the other students and even his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) to defend his intellectual property...

"The Social Network" is intelligent entertainment cinema of the highest order. Fincher, after his imaginative romance film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", has once again taken a completely different tack. With the clever, at times surprisingly funny dialogue Aaron Sorkin has conjured up on paper, Fincher has created a dialogue thriller that is particularly delightful with terrific actors. It's not just future Spider-Man Andrew Garfield and pop star Justin Timberlake, who proves beyond a shadow of a doubt here that he can very much act, who make a very good impression. It's Jesse Eisenberg in particular who shines with a terrific performance.

At first, the viewer may still have the impression that Eisenberg is merely playing another variation of the character he has already played in films like "Zombieland" or "The Squid and the Whale": the lovable, somewhat dorky nerd. But Eisenberg quickly reveals a very different side to the character: arrogant, ruthless, snarky, and yet somehow likable. Or as a character best sums it up in the end: "You're not an asshole, you just try damn hard to be one". There's no question that while "The Social Network" is an ensemble film in itself, and really every single actor is convincing, it's Eisenberg who carries this film. And he does that quite brilliantly.

Although the real people behind "Facebook" won't really love the film, Sorkin and Fincher go to great lengths to allow each viewer to make their own judgments. Of course, it becomes obvious that Zuckerberg, blinded by success, is practically over dead bodies. But the screenplay repeatedly avoids clear accusations, but rather tells in an engaging, entertaining and intelligent way the rather simple story of a friendship that breaks down because of success - a success behind which is a very simple motive: to impress a persecuted person. Whether this succeeds, the film leaves open. But one thing the makers have definitely succeeded in doing: the audience will definitely be impressed. Therefore: you should definitely accept this friend request. For lovers of clever Hollywood cinema absolutely recommendable!

Picture + Sound: Technically, the DVD conversion is on a very good level. Dominated by warm, but somewhat artificial-looking colors, the picture is clean and has a high level of detail sharpness, which thanks to the good contrasts even in the darker sequences comes to bear well. The sound is also pleasing. Whether the buzz of voices on campus, the rich sound in the club or the atmospheric reverb in the hearing room, the sound always seems harmonious and authentic. Both the terrific dialogues of the script, as well as the great soundtrack, both rightly awarded with the Oscar, come out of the boxes perfectly tuned. Very good!

Extras: Spread over two discs, "The Social Network" has plenty of good extras to offer. It starts on the first DVD with two audio commentaries. The first is narrated by director David Fincher. Fincher's commentaries are always an exciting, engaging affair, as the director speaks with passion and candor about his projects. What is a little distracting, and this doesn't just apply to the commentary but also to the documentaries, is that all the swear words have been covered up by the studio with an annoying beep. Oh well.

The second commentary features screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and actors Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake and Armie Hammer. Also a very listenable commentary, which is a bit less informative, but also more relaxed and entertaining. So fans of the film can safely listen to both commentaries, there is no way it will be boring here.

The centerpiece of the second disc is the nearly 90-minute, four-part making of, which goes into great detail about the production. Those familiar with the making of previous Fincher films will know not to expect typical commercials here, but refreshingly honest, in-depth documentaries that blend lots of footage of the shoot, rehearsals, locations with interviews of the actors and creators into an engaging whole. A great documentary!

The making of is supplemented with other short documentaries about the picture elements, post-production, the soundtrack and the Swarmatron Sound Machine. In addition, viewers get a chance to compare an alternate music track to the final soundtrack track during the rowing scene. In addition, a detailed analysis of the Ruby Skye VIP room scene is offered: from the rehearsal to interviews about the scene, the preparations on location to the actual shooting. The viewer can choose between different image and audio tracks, watch the individual aspects individually, or in combination. Super!

Conclusion: "The Social Network" is a great drama that has more than deservedly won all its awards. Greatly acted, wonderfully filmed and equipped with a brilliant script David Fincher has once again managed a small masterpiece. On DVD, the film shows itself in very good technical quality and also has several more than worth seeing extras on board, among which especially the 90-minute making of stands out. Absolutely recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp