Resonating since its release well over six years ago, David Fincher‘s The Social Network has endured as a film of expert structure and specifically collaboration. So comes a new video essay by Michael Tucker from Lessons on the Screenplay which dives into screenwriter Aaron Sorkin‘s famous stylings, pointing out specifically what makes the material soar. Through rhythms of dialogue — rising, falling, climaxing — and overlapping language with multiple trains of thought (just to name a few), Sorkin crafts a multi-layered story in The Social Network that makes it less a story Facebook’s inception and creation, but about two friend’s disintegrating relationship. On top of this, the non-linear structure adds for another layer of poignancy and intrigue, as the audience gets to see the two characters reflect on their now-shattered friendship years later.
Tucker also discusses the importance of collaboration — particularly, Sorkin’s work with David Fincher — and how it is vital to making the material truly work. The right performers are also key, as Sorkin’s signature style of fast-talking, multi-layered, wordy pages will make or break the performance. In the right hands, however, the words can, almost literally, sing. See the full essay below.