Page 24 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & III • October 13, 2010 ‘The Social Network’ eyes friendship, invention, betrayal by Dennis Seuling Hallelujah! After months of so-so or below-average movies, audiences finally have an intelligent film that puts aside the usual Hollywood bunk and concentrates on a solid story with vivid characters portrayed by fine actors. The film is “The Social Network,” which will easily make my Top Ten list for 2010. Written by Aaron Sorkin (TV’s “The West Wing”) and directed by David Fincher (“Seven”), “The Social Network” is the story of the creation of Facebook, the key individuals involved in its genesis, and how the exploding popularity of the site led to greed, cries for recognition, and betrayal. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and his roommate Eduardo Severin (Andrew Garfield), techno-savvy Harvard sophomores, hack into the university’s online student directory to create Facemash, a “hotness” comparison of female enrollees. This prank generates enormous student interest. It also provokes disciplinary action, but Zuckerberg realizes there is potential far beyond the college community. Zuckerberg’s stunt comes to the attention of the Winklevoss brothers (Armie Hammer, Josh Pence), who are working on a similar, though lower-profile, idea. They enlist Mark’s assistance in seeing their idea to fruition. But Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), the young entrepreneur who created the music-sharing site Napster, gets wind of Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg in a scene from ‘The Social Network.’ their fledgling site, contacts Mark, and introduces a new dynamic into plans for expansion. “The Social Network” moves briskly as it jumps back in forth in time, between depositions in two lawsuits against Mark and the underlying events that led to strained friendships, recriminations, underhanded dealings, and disputes over recognition. Sorkin has crafted some sharp dialogue for the central characters. Zuckerberg is portrayed as socially inept. The opening scene, for example, shows his girlfriend breaking up with him. His arrogance and failure to connect on a personal level is immediately apparent as Eisenberg tweaks his customary nervous awkwardness to show Zuckerberg as a person who measures things in logic rather than emotion. This is the irony of the film: A social nerd created a network whose primary purpose is to keep people connected and informed about their personal lives. Eisenberg also manages to reflect a resentment of those of privilege who surround him -- the students who coast on the reputations of wealth and family name. This is often accomplished by a look, a flip remark, or simply marching to his own drummer despite the consequences. It is rare when such a young actor shoulders an important film, but Eisenberg does an excellent job and portrays Zuckerberg’s brilliance well. Sorkin’s dialogue makes it seem that ideas come to him faster than he can voice them as he races from one point to another with breakneck speed. Eisenberg’s performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination. A quieter, but no less important role, is that of Eduardo, the money man behind Mark’s ideas. Eduardo comes from a wealthy Brazilian family and he is largely responsible (continued on Crossword page) 25 N. Spruce St, Ramsey Chinese Restaurant Family Dining (In the Walgreen Center - formerly Terri’s) Major Credit Cards Accepted Dine-in, Dine-out • Free Delivery 201-327-3232 176 Ramapo Valley Road Oakland, NJ 201-337-8777 Hrs: Mon-Sat 7:00a,-9:00pm; Sun 7:00am-8:30pm � ���������������� Purchase of $20.00 or more ���������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ���� Early Bird Dinner Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Pastry Extensive Menu $ 3p.m. to 6 p.m. Special Menu 10.25 The Best Got Better! YaXing2x2(10-13-10)A For Joan from Allison State Line Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 $ 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner On $10.00 and over, With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. Lunch & Dinner only.�� Off 1 00 $ On $20.00 and over, With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. Dinner only. �� Off 2 00 Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 1 $ 00 VT On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 2 ������������������������ �������������������� VT