I read Gone Girl last year after finally succumbing to the hype. It was easy to read, but better than a dumb beach read. There were twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and it quickly became one of those books that I would want to read every second of every day. As I raced towards the ending I became more and more involved, wondering how she was going to end it. And then I got to the end, a lazy, easy. “I don’t care anymore about what I am writing” ending that left me pissed off and angry. I just couldn’t believe that was the ending. What a waste of an up-til-that-point, pretty great book.
I wasn’t alone in hating the ending and as the movie went into production there were many rumors that they were changing the ending, simply because so many fans were outraged. So when my book club suggested we go see the movie, I agreed to go, despite still being pissed off I wasted my time on that “Book with a horrible ending”. There are so many ways the author could have ended it that would have made sense in the book so I had hopes one of those would be used. Well, they didn’t. Same stupid ending. I left the theater feeling pissed off again, but more at myself this time for wasting yet more of my time on something I knew I was going to hate.
SPOILERS FROM HERE ON……..
I just didn’t like the movie. The things that made the book great, the commentary on marriage, on changing to please someone, the spotlight on the media and its ridiculous tendencies, were muted in the film. Sure we heard Amy’s “Cool Girl” speech, but it seemed out of place and didn’t have the impact it did when I read it. Many characters needed to be cut and I understand that, but the impact of some were lessened. We meet Desi Collins early in the book and basically think he is OK but there is a point in the book where you think “Oh wow, this guy is CRAZY.” The Desi in the movie is more controlling, but less crazy to the core.
I did go to the movie with someone who hadn’t read the book and he really liked the movie. He was intrigued and didn’t see the “big reveal” coming. So I think I am more upset because I see so much potential in the story and that did not come to fruition. I didn’t love or hate Affleck or Pike in the roles, but I would not have chosen either of them.
Should you see it? Did you read the book? If so, wait til it comes out on redbox or netflix. It’s just an OK movie that could have been great.
Haven’t read the book? I still don’t know if you should read it. The overall story is good, it is easy to read but ugh that ending! But up to that point, it is a decent read, but know you may be pissed off. You can buy it //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=16clef-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0307588378&asins=0307588378&linkId=GTREKU77E4ZIRIT3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true“>Here.
