I'd put off watching THE SOCIAL NETWORK for a time, suspecting it to be a dry and slow-moving film. After all, it was about the guy who founded Facebook, so how much fun could it be? I didn't much like the idea of watching a film based around people sitting on computers, so I was in no hurry to see it.

Now I've watched it, and things have changed. Because THE SOCIAL NETWORK turns out to be one of David Fincher's best films, and that's from a director whose filmography is littered with gems. This is a hugely entertaining and thoroughly gripping story of success, defeat, lies and deceit, and I was so caught up in the narrative that the two hour running time flew past.

The joy of THE SOCIAL NETWORK is that it focuses on the conflict between the various parties involved with the founding of one of the world's most popular websites. It's bam, bam, bam, with barely time to breathe, let alone get bored. Good performances are given across the board, particularly from Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, two actors I'm normally disposed to dislike, both of whom are excellent. Technical values are, unsurprisingly, absolutely spectacular, and it's clear that Fincher is in his element, making a mini-masterpiece out of the premise. Splendid stuff.

I heard a lot of promising things about The Social Network. And you know what, I agree with the positivity this film has received, for it is my idea of a modern classic. With an intriguing concept, it is for me one of the defining films I have seen recently, one of the best movies of 2010 and relevant in its themes of greed, betrayal, class tension, friendship and loyalty and concept.

Production-values-wise, The Social Network looks wonderful. The cinematography is incredibly skillful, and the editing is crisp. In fact, I'd sure The Social Network is director David Fincher's most stylish film since Se7en. I have heard a lot of mixed feelings on the score, while it is not my favourite of the year not like Toy Story 3, King's Speech and Inception, The Social Network's brooding, smooth and quite sexy score is very memorable and fits well with the film's occasionally quirky tone.

The Social Network is very well directed too. Fincher directs with an intensity and focus that makes The Social Network tied with Se7en as the best of his movies in my opinion. Another strong point is the screenplay which is very smart and sharp, while the story making the most of this intriguing concept is constantly snappy and engaging.

Also, all the characters are very well written and assembled, for me they are among the best-written characters in a Fincher movie. It also helps that the acting is as impeccable as it is. Jesse Eisenberg is very commanding as the titular character in a subtle sort of way, while Andrew Garfield also impresses as the "voice of reason" character. I was surprised in a good way by Justin Timberlake, while the weakest of the three leads, he does have a cocksure swagger here that he actually pulls off really well.

In conclusion, a wonderful film and one of the best of the year. 10/10 Bethany Cox

My review is best read and understood in context. I am 46 years-old (and in the Facebook world, that makes me OLD) and an ex-history teacher, so what I liked and disliked about the film is not what the average viewer would think. This isn't meant as an insult--just that I know I am not like the typical demographic for whom the movie was made. I am very computer-savvy for my age--but that still makes me a dinosaur compared to a teenager or 30-something person. The fact that I have never had a Facebook account alone makes me an odd-ball! So, when I see the film I do NOT wax nostalgic about the good 'ol days of 2004 or 2005. Additionally, as a history teacher, I CRAVE accuracy in films and tend to nit-pick them far more than normal. For me, history is like the Bible--you don't embellish it or 'interpret' it--is IS truth. So, a younger person seeing the film with me would find me insufferable, as I would look for the flaws and ignore the bigger picture.

So, I did some research and found that the film makers did NOT intend for a historical account of Facebook but wanted to craft an exciting story that people would love. And, to do so, personalities were changed and facts were omitted or ignored. My biggest problem is that in reading about Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, while he is no angel, nor does he seem to be (as the movie strongly implies) a sociopath with Asperger's Syndrome (I was also a psyc teacher...trust me on this--this is exactly as the film portrays him). And, although he is exciting to watch in the film, Justin Timberlake's version of the fonder of Napster isn't exactly spot-on, either.

So if you can ignore the artistic license, what are you left with in "The Social Network"? Well, for 46 year-old guys like me, not a huge amount--or at least not as much as I might have hoped based on all the publicity the film received. Yes, I liked it--but didn't love it. I liked some of the acting (again, I'll mention liking Justin Timberlake--something I NEVER thought I'd see myself putting in writing!) and the rest of the cast were good. I also loved the way the twins were magically created using computers and a single actor....cool. But the story didn't engage me that much. Yes, I know they are all rich as can be...but other than that I just didn't get it. And, as a middle-aged fart, I guess I wasn't intended to!