The 48th edition of the venerable New York Film Festival kicks off today with the world premiere of David Ficher and Aaron Sorkin’s highly-anticipated collaboration, The Social Network, which tells the (almost) true story behind the founding of Mark Zuckerberg’s omnipresent social networking site Facebook. It’s a major get for the NYFF, which in past years has opened with more art-house friendly fare (like last year’s opening night screening of the Alain Resnais film Wild Reeds. I’ve seen The Social Network and have written a review for Film Journal, which will most likely go live next week. The short version of my positive notice is that its an enormously entertaining production, a movie where all the elements–script, direction and cast–come together to create a memorable whole. I’m not ready to hang the “masterpiece” label on the film, but it’s unquestionably one of 2010’s strongest studio-made movies.
I’ve had the opportunity to catch a number of other films that will be playing the NYFF as well and will be seeing more in the weeks ahead. Expect to see regular capsules posted here as I get them written. So far, it’s been a strong line-up; while I’ve liked some movies far more than others, I have yet to see a genuine dud. Hats off to the festival’s selection committee and I hope New York residents are encouraged to pick up whatever tickets remain for some of these films. (The Social Network is already sold out, but I heartily recommend LennonNYC and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, both of which will screen this weekend.) First NYFF capsule coming up right after this post.
