Gone Girl Analysis

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Gone Girl Analysis

Introduction

Unlike the depiction by the title, Gone Girl is not about a lady’s literal departure. The title represents the crisis for the crossing out of individuality of Amy, a woman with who Nick believed he had tied the knot. The woman turns out to be quite different, with so many changes in her humor, wit and even class. The lady’s mannerisms become gruesome beyond expectations and even attempts to frame Nick for her murder despite being alive (Rothman 5).

The David Fincher-directed movie features characters that are psychologically intricate. It is a detailed production with several subplots based on Gillian Flynn’s crime novel. The film is setup in North Carthage in Missouri, a place that has been plagued by recession (Rothman 6).

Genre Analysis

Mystery is the genre portrayed in the film to a large extent. At the launch, the movie seems ordinary. Amy is described as a lovely young woman who has disappeared, and Nick becomes the primary suspect. Nick is described as a murderer who was already out of patience, and failed to draw a proper plan, for which case Amy’s disappearance can be traced back to him (Rothman 6).

However, the twist is developed in the movie as a mystery is uncovered. Amy’s death is turned around, and she’s proven to be alive. The first mystery case creates a wonder and an audience inquiry into the reasons for her faked death. Curiosity centers on the possible planner of all that and the motives for doing that.

The revelation of Amy as the mastermind behind her fake death and an attempt to frame Nick points at another mystery. The real girl nature earlier depicted in the movie as Amy’s character is twisted as the figure is replaced with a weird, vengeance-steeped and very difficult to comprehend the character (Rothman 6).

Unexpected scenarios and buildup of events define the convention of mystery in Gone Girl. The twists in the film, however, push it beyond the box of mystery to drama and crime that engages the film in high gear.

Structural Analysis

Though Gone Girl is not an average every time story teller in the first voice, Nick and Amy are depicted as the films’ story tellers (Rothman 5). There is a twofer as not only Nick’s experiences are narrated, but revelations into Amy’s endeavors are made. Nick’s innocence and side of the story are revealed through his interaction with the investigating authorities and constant claim for innocence. The audiences are let into Amy’s narration majorly through her diary. Taking vengeance to the level of frame for murder by Amy is partially made understandable through her agony as depicted in the diary (Rothman 6).

The audience is directly engaged by the narrators at some points an instance for which Nick makes a statement about having a mistress, when Andie is introduced into the film (19.20). Amy also makes a revelation about her diary to the audience through an indication that it was meant for liking by the audience (Rothman 6).

Breaking of the fourth wall pulls the audience into the fight, making hard to choose with who to side.

Marriage is used as the symbolic association in the film as Amy disappears on the eve of their fifth anniversary for the couple’s wedding.

Nick’s cheating in the marriage spurs Amy’s need for revenge, that takes the twists of her change in character further after marriage. The character change, the cheating and the frame for murder are all depictions of a marriage gone sour (Rothman 6).

Money is also used as a symbol as the couple both loses their jobs and has to rely on Amy’s trust fund. When Amy’s parents take back some of the funds for reasons of poor sales, a new financial crisis sets in that further strain their relationship.

Through the media, a chilling effect is achieved when the story goes viral. Truth is taken under the water by public opinion, and more of the guilty character is given to Nick. Cynicism creates a drip that develops greater interest in the film (Rothman 5).

Sound Analysis

In the opening scene, there is silence and the only sound sounds audible are from cars in the streets, which make it possible for neighbors to hear a gunshot. The start is ended with a rapid noise burst that serves to bring the viewer back from anxiety (Rothman 5).

The flashback into the couple’s meeting is set with a bright tune in the music

The inevitable arrival of the pulse creates clues to the location of Amy’s body that further incriminates Nick. The song becomes louder as the strings go higher, and the sense of Nick’s claustrophobia is ramped up (Rothman 6).

The reverberant, ethereal and unnerving siren calls create elicitations of shiver and detachment.

Conclusion

The film is one with so many twists and turns as depicted in the end when Amy reunites with Nick. Despite all the stress and pressure piled on Nick previously by Amy, he later loves her unconditionally. Moreover, a sense that the marriage will not have a bright future is depicted by Amy’s deliberation that she will always have the last word. The development of the movie and the subsequent unfolding of events make it interesting, but portray the characters as individuals with psychological complexes.

Works Cited

Rothman, J. “What Gone Girl Is Really About.” Review. NewYorker 8 Oct. 2014: 5-6. Web.