The film The social network

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The film The social network

The film “The social network”

It is possible to argue that The Social Network film is a fictional film, but it is not devoid of a number of facts that support the level of truth from the creation of the film. However, it is undeniable to take note of the fact that the movie is compelling, with an extended sense of drama from the beginning of the movie to the end. This movie is a caricature, but there are times when then caricature possibly captures the fundamental nature of an individual and in the case of The Social Network, it is possible to insinuate that the caricature worked. Quite a number of movies are a depiction of the actual life events of individuals, which is fictionally portrayed in the movie, but there is some information representing the facts of the creation of facebook (Gonsalves 1). This argumentative essay looks into some of the fictional aspects of the movie, with some level of facts that might be in opposition of the fictional presentation of the movie.

In the movie, Jesse Eisenberg plays the part of Zuckerberg, the co-founder of facebook, whose act in the movie gives a different impression of Zuckerberg. Eisenberg plays a huge role in portraying the Zuckerberg’s personality, depicting him as an angry and insecure individual. He shows that the motivation of Zuckerberg’s creation, initially known as Thefacebook, was a result of his desire to get the attention of his former girl friend. Judging from reactions of people who have had a chance to interact with Zuckerberg, it is possible tell that the character depiction is not a reality but fictitious (Hardcastle 1). Quite a number of people indicate that Zuckerberg is an even-tempered individual who is self confident, normally upbeat and he is prone to being silent. It is possible to tell that Zuckerberg is humble by determining that he takes lunch in the staff canteen (Parsons 1).

At one point in the beginning of the movie, Zuckerberg is shown talking to Erica Albright, his girlfriend, saying that he has an obsession of getting into one of the elite clubs considered as “final clubs” in Harvard. As they were conversing, Zuckerberg says that he needs to do something significant that will enable him to get the attention of the different elite clubs in campus (Swift 6). However, this depiction is fictitious since Zuckerberg, during his years in campus, did not show any interest in joining the clubs. Instead, he was determined to share his ideas in a transparent manner, thereby experimenting with the internet and software that could demonstrate the ideas that he had for execution. On the other hand, Zuckerberg wanted to act in response to the dissatisfaction that the students were exhibiting, showing that Harvard had not yet put the institution’s paper “facebook,” which had the photos of freshmen in the college.

In the movie, there is an inclusion of a character known as Dustin Moskovitz, whose role in building, as well as growing Thefacebook is completely omitted from the movie. It is vital to take note of the fact that this character was instrumental in the development of Thefacebook, with Zuckerberg admitting at some point that without his contribution, there was a high probability that Thefacebook would have diminished. Moskovits played a vital role, in real life, to ensure that the company would be able to succeed, even before it could move to Palo Alto. His contribution in real life was more significan that the additional co-founder of the company (McGirt 84), Eduardo Saverin, who plays a major role in the development of the story. This is apparent after he sued Zuckerberg, as well as the other people involved in the development of the company. This was after his coerced exit from the company.

Zuckerberg’s long time girlfriend, Priscilla Chan, does not feature in the movie, yet they met at almost the same time that Zuckerberg founded Thefacebook. This was during the winter season when Zuckerberg was in his sophomore year. It is possible to insinuate that the director of the movie, David Fincher did not want to portray Zuckerberg as a sympathetic character since he was able to maintain a relationship with the same woman for a long time. However, the two started dating after Zuckerberg hired Chan to work at facebook in the year 2005. As indicated before, Zuckerberg’s intention to come up with facebook was because he wanted to attract his former girlfriend. However, the film does not show that Zuckerberg’s desire was to attract women; instead, it reveals that facebook is the object of Zuckerberg’s attraction. With the consideration that Chan’s involvement with in Zuckerberg’s life to the present day, the film seems inconsistent when it ignores her existence.

Sean Parker, another person that was greatly involved in the early years of facebook is portrayed as an arrogant, mean and a snide individual. This portrayal is in contrast to Parker’s character in real life. However, just as the depiction in the movie, Parker was well aware of Thefacebook’s potential in a better way than Zuckerberg could. In the early years of the development of the company, Parker was the critical advisor to the co-founders, particularly on the development of the company structure, as well as the finances of the company. His biggest contribution to the company is indicated in the movie when he was able to negotiate with the individuals financing the company never to consider taking away the company from Zuckerberg (Kopytoff B.1.). As a result, the founder was able to control three to five seats of the facebook board, which is a provision that exists to this point.

On the other hand, the movie portrays Parker as an individual that is known for his rock star persona, living a life of heavy partying. Even though the sequencing might be having some flaws, Parker’s real life character is not far from the depiction in the film. The film shows that the police caught Parker in Palo Alto in the company of underage facebook interns, with cocaine, which is a factual event. After the confirmation of the same, Parker had to let go of his position in the company as the president. Even though the event is true, there is some slight difference since the event happened in North Carolina in the year 2005. Even though he was not formally charged with possessing the illegal substance, the investors, as well as facebook’s employees no longer had the confidence that he would be able to perform his duties appropriately. For this reason, Parker had to relinquish his position in the company. This is a factual aspect of the film, which is in contrast to the general assumption that the film is largely fictional.

Works cited

“Facebook Founder Zuckerberg Marries Girlfriend Priscilla Chan.” EFE News ServiceMay 20 2012. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Belloni, Matthew, and Allison H. Weiner. “Naughty Party Bits Will Stay in Facebook Movie.” The Ottawa CitizenAug 25 2010. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Belloni, Matthew, and Allison H. Weiner. “Sex and Drugs Fuel Facebook Film; Upcoming Movie about Website Will Keep Partyingin.” Calgary HeraldAug 26 2010. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Gonsalves, Rebecca. “Facebook Film is Work of Fiction, Says its Ex-Boss.” The Independent: 8. Jan 25 2011. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Hardcastle, Ephraim. “Facebook’s Billionaire Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, …].” Daily Mail: 17. Nov 17 2011. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Kopytoff, Verne G. “Facebook’s Initial Crew Moving on.” New York TimesNov 03 2010. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013

McGirt, Ellen. “Facebook is.” Fast Company 11 2007: 84-9. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013

Parsons, Sandra. “Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg’s Wedding …].” Daily Mail: 15. May 23 2012. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Renshaw, Scott. “Citizen Zuckerberg.” Missoula Independent: 33. Sep 2010. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

Swift, Mike. “Tales from the Facebook House.” Contra Costa TimesNov 27 2011. ProQuest. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

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