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The Social Network (2010)

Tous publics | | Biography, Drama | 13 October 2010 (France)
Trailer
2:31 | Trailer
As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea, and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.

Director:

David Fincher

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), Ben Mezrich (book)
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Popularity
430 ( 8)
Won 3 Oscars. Another 171 wins & 183 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jesse Eisenberg ... Mark Zuckerberg
Rooney Mara ... Erica Albright
Bryan Barter Bryan Barter ... Billy Olson
Dustin Fitzsimons ... Phoenix Club President
Joseph Mazzello ... Dustin Moskovitz
Patrick Mapel Patrick Mapel ... Chris Hughes
Andrew Garfield ... Eduardo Saverin
Toby Meuli ... Phoenix Member Playing Facemash
Alecia Svensen ... Girl at Phoenix Club
Jami Owen Jami Owen ... Student Playing Facemash
James Dastoli James Dastoli ... Student Playing Facemash
Robert Dastoli Robert Dastoli ... Student Playing Facemash
Scotty Crowe ... Student Playing Facemash
Jayk Gallagher ... Student Playing Facemash
Marcella Lentz-Pope ... Erica's Roommate
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Storyline

On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication. A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history... but for this entrepreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications. Written by Columbia Pictures

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Punk, genius, prophet, traitor, billionaire See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

Tous publics | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Before filming, Jesse Eisenberg created a false Facebook account for research. Eisenberg opened his account under the name of Peter Sagal, the host of the radio show Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! (2008), which Eisenberg was listening to at the time. He closed the account when filming wrapped. See more »

Goofs

Towards the beginning when Mark is putting FaceMash together, Chris states that Shark Week is broadcasting on the Discovery Channel. The scene takes place during the fall semester of 2003; Shark Week broadcasts annually in July-August. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Mark Zuckerberg: Did you know there are more people with genius IQs living in China than there are people of any kind living in the United States?
Erica Albright: That can't possibly be true.
Mark Zuckerberg: It is.
Erica Albright: What would account for that?
Mark Zuckerberg: Well first, an awful lot of people live in China. But, here's my question: how do you distinguish yourself in a population of people who all got 1600 on their SATs?
Erica Albright: I didn't know they take SATs in China.
Mark Zuckerberg: They don't. I wasn't talking about China anymore, I was talking about me.
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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.3 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

Crazy Baldhead
Written by Rita Marley and Vincent Ford
Performed by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from
Universal Music Enterprises
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User Reviews

 
The Power Of Great Direction
20 January 2014 | by mwatt89See all my reviews

So there I was, sitting in the cinema waiting to see 'Inception' greeting every belated trailer with a groan, each one prolonging the time till I could finally see one of the most anticipated movies of the year and there it was, I turned to one of my friends "my god..a film about facebook?!.." To say I was skeptical for those few moments would be an understatement, I was almost angry, like a footballer who releases an autobiography 5 years after he starts his career I just didn't understand the timing of it, who cares anyway?

"I think this is Finchers new movie actually"

"DAVID Fincher? He's made a film about facebook?!"

Almost immediately 'Social Network' became a movie that I needed to see. David Fincher is one of the true masters of delivering some of the greatest films of the past few decades. The gritty 'Se7en' and the intelligent 'Fight Club' had been two of my favourite movies growing up, the latter of which I had the privilege of studying in college quite in depth and although I missed 'Benjamin Button' (only god knows why it took me until 2013 to watch!) I had thoroughly enjoyed the enigmatic 'Zodiac' as well.

'Social Network' became my favourite Fincher title almost immediately. It is one of those rare works that feels so effortless in its brilliance which is due to the incredible work from both Fincher and Sorkin in creating this modern masterpiece, the way I see it the film relies heavily upon three aspects which are executed with perfection.

First of all, the score for this film is sensational. I've always been a huge fan of Trent Reznor & Nine Inch Nails but with his partnership with Atticus Ross and his ongoing collaborations with Fincher (also see 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo') I can only see them becoming the most formidable artists in the industry, every minor note resonates perfectly throughout the film and creates a beautiful texture on top of an already excellent piece of work.

Secondly, Sorkin's razor sharp screenplay is something a director can only dream of receiving, the dialogue never falters and it is always witty, sincere and hilarious all in one (which can also be attributed to the performances of the actors involved)

But most of all, the atmosphere that Fincher is able to create visually is stunning, huge credit must also go to long time collaborator Jeff Cronenweth, together their formidable partnership and undoubted perfect understanding of each other's work is clearly the factor behind this film being one of the best movies of the past decade

Great performances from Eisenberg, Garfield and Timberlake also help this movie stand head and shoulders above most and as one of the most promising young actresses in the business, Rooney Mara is given her first chance to truly show her quality in a small role.

It's difficult to say where 'Social Network' will stand when we look back on Finchers body of work but one things for sure, if it isn't seen as one of his truly great masterpieces then he is sure to become one of, if not the most powerful director in the industry for years to come.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook | Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Release Date:

13 October 2010 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

The Social Network See more »

Filming Locations:

Andover, Massachusetts, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,445,653, 3 October 2010

Gross USA:

$96,962,694

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$224,920,315
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
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