The Fincher Takes It All

Hello and welcome back to The Fincher Takes It All, a limited series podcast which celebrates and reflects on the filmography of director David Fincher. Film journalist Tom Percival joins me for the final episode in this season of the podcast. On this podcast we have watched and discussed all of Fincher’s feature films, and so it felt right to end the season by looking at our favourites. Which ones stand out in this filmography and why. Me and Tom compare our rankings of his movies and spoiler alert - we very much disagree!

Film journalist and filmmaker Nev Pierce joins me to discuss Mank, David Fincher’s latest film which is now available to watch on Netflix and in select cinemas. Following screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay for Citizen Kane, the film takes a look at Hollywood and politics. Me and Nev discuss the film’s analysis of Hollywood liberalism, what it has to say about the idea of the auteur, how Fincher made it feel like an old classic and whether it really does have anything to do with Citizen Kane.

Film journalist Clarisse Loughrey joins me to discuss Gone Girl, David Fincher’s adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s novel. The film follows Nick Dunne, who becomes the focus of an intense media circus when his wife goes missing. Of course, her disappearance isn’t exactly what we expect…. Me and Clarisse discuss the concept of ‘cool girl’, why the relationship between Amy and Nick is so intriguing, and why Fincher was the perfect filmmaker to tackle this story.

Film and tv journalist Amy West joins me to discuss The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, David Fincher’s adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist as he is aided by computer hacker Lisbeth Salander searching for a woman who has been missing for 40 years. Me and Amy discuss Rooney Mara’s portrayal of Lisbeth, her dynamic with Daniel Craig’s Blomkvist, the opening credits sequence and what the score brings to the movie.

Film journalist Cameron Frew joins me to discuss David Fincher’s movie The Social Network, a film often hailed as one of the best of the past decade. Adapted from Ben Mezrich's book The Accidental Billionaires, the film portrays the founding of the social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits. Me and Cameron discuss Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg, Fincher’s director of Aaron Sorkin’s script, whether a modern context brings anything new to it, and the tragedies of the story.

Film journalist Maria Lattila joins me to discuss David Fincher’s fantasy epic The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, arguably his most divisive movie to date. Loosely based on the short tale by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages in reverse, following his life and story. Me and Maria discuss the wonderful performances by Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the theme of mortality, the way it looks at humanity and more.

I am joined by film journalist and broadcaster Freda Cooper to discuss David Fincher’s 2007 thriller Zodiac. Based on true events, the film follows a San Francisco political cartoonist as he becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac killer. Me and Freda discuss the outstanding performances delivered by an ensemble cast, the meta nature of the movie, and how Fincher approached the story with the mind of an investigator.

Today I am joined by film journalist and filmmaker Sarah Cook for a very special bonus episode looking at Fincher’s career directing music videos. A prolific music video director, it was on this scene he made his entry, with his work on the likes of Vogue and Janie’s Got A Gun impacting the way he would direct his feature films. Having made dozens of music videos, Fincher has worked with the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rick Springfield, Justin Timberlake and more. Me and Sarah discuss some of our favourites and how they are clear indicators of not only Fincher’s talent behind the camera, but of the style of feature films he would later helm.

Film journalist Dan Jolin joins me to discuss David Fincher’s iconic 1999 movie Fight Club. Yes, we are breaking the first two rules. The film follows an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soapmaker as they form an underground fight club that evolves into something more. Me and Dan discuss the analysis of consumerism, whether a modern context brings anything new to Fight Club, how Marla Singer is the unsung hero and much more.

I am joined by film writer Anna Cale to discuss Fincher’s third movie The Game - a psychological thriller starring Michael Douglas. After a wealthy banker is given an opportunity to participate in a mysterious game, his life is turned upside down when he becomes unable to distinguish between the game and reality. Me and Anna discuss how tension is built, the ways it challenges viewers, and analyses themes including redemption and morality.