The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 1 - 'The Social Network’

Key Takeaways

'The Social Network' is ranked number one on the '25 Best Movies of the 21st Century So Far' list, a consensus pick.
The film offers a profound commentary on the rise of tech culture, loneliness, and revenge, portraying its subjects as driven by ambition.
Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg is highlighted as a defining performance capturing an unlikable yet wounded character.
The collaborative vision of director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin, along with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's score, shaped the film's unique style and impact.
Despite not winning Best Picture at the 2011 Oscars, the film holds 'Citizen Kane' status for its generation.

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins rank 'The Social Network' as the number one film on their '25 for 25' project, a consensus choice.
The film is described as a trilogy about America, focusing on a ruthless creator whose actions illuminate the rise of tech culture and its emotional impact.
Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, it examines the internet's societal influence and portrays subjects as emotionally reactive individuals driven by power.

Jesse Eisenberg's central performance as Mark Zuckerberg captures a deeply unlikable yet wounded character whose defensiveness drives the narrative.
The film maintains focus on Zuckerberg, even in unlikable moments, without deviating to explore other characters' emotional states in isolation.
The narrative suggests Zuckerberg's actions are driven by pre-existing narcissism and a desire for greater status, not heartbreak.

The film originated as an 'assignment movie' based on a hot news story during the Amy Pascal era at Sony, with producers including Scott Rudin and Kevin Spacey.
Andrew Garfield's role as Eduardo Saverin is highlighted as the emotional heart of the film, providing a crucial counterpoint to Zuckerberg's ambition.
Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg conveys a character driven by a need for approval, with Facebook's valuation growing from $25 billion to $1.16 trillion since the film's release.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross created the film's propulsive and comforting score, marking an early point in their careers as top film composers.
The score is deemed essential, driving key set pieces like the 'face mash' intercut with the final club party, portraying Harvard elitism.
Its blend of melancholy and digitized electronic beats captures the internet's constant stimulation, serving as a turning point in film music influencing subsequent electronic styles.

The film subtly portrays how tech crusaders, in their pursuit of breaking systems, ultimately fortify them with new tools, with figures like Peter Thiel acknowledged.
A key takeaway from the film is the resonance of the idea that 'just because you can do something doesn't mean you should,' reflecting an era lacking guardrails.
The narrative critiques Harvard's elite social circles and entitlement, contrasting the 'Face/Off' final club party scene with the creation of online tools and shifting power dynamics.

Director David Fincher 'weaponized' Justin Timberlake's celebrity persona in his portrayal of Sean Parker, a choice deemed brilliant by the hosts.
The overall casting of the film is praised as exceptional, contributing to its lasting cultural impact and understanding of the world.
Some aspects of the film have aged poorly, including controversies surrounding Armie Hammer, Kevin Spacey, and producer Scott Rudin, though its artistic merit is maintained.

The film's groundbreaking digital filmmaking by David Fincher and Jeff Cronenweth created a smooth, clinical visual style mirroring the frictionless digital world and perceived connectivity.
The trailer's powerful use of a children's choir covering Radiohead's 'Creep' was influential, capturing themes of ambition with the tagline 'You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.'
'The Social Network' effectively captures the anxiety and disorientation of social connection in the digital age, particularly the 'friend request' concept, ending the film on one.

Despite its 'Citizen Kane' status for its generation, 'The Social Network' did not win Best Picture at the 2011 Oscars, losing to 'The King's Speech'.
Tom Hooper's win for Best Director over David Fincher is strongly disapproved, with hosts noting Fincher still has no Oscar wins and citing Harvey Weinstein's influence.
The hosts compare this perceived upset to other controversial Oscar wins, including 'Forrest Gump' over 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Dances with Wolves' over 'Goodfellas'.

'The Social Network' was one of only three films (with 'Schindler's List' and 'L.A. Confidential') to sweep major critics' awards before its release, though it still awaits results from several critics' groups.
Described as a creation story for the digital age and a morality tale, it ranked number 10 on both the Times Top 100 and readers' lists.
The hosts debate 'Zodiac' versus 'The Social Network' as David Fincher's best, noting 'Zodiac' is more obsessive while 'The Social Network' is tightly crafted and accessible.