“The Social Network” is not just the story of Facebook. It’s the story of how a dorm room prank became a global social network that revolutionized the way people communicate and a dramatic tale of the breakdown in the trust between friends.

The film doesn’t have a clear label as to what genre it is. It’s not the classic “college movie” with frat parties and binge drinking. It does touch on some of those aspects, but screenwriter Aaron Sorkin describes the film “as sort of a court room drama.”

Despite the fact that Sorkin penned the screenplay as a story based on three points of view, the story was surprisingly easy to follow. The dialog of the film flows so seamlessly between scenes and characters that I felt myself wanting more. The characters exuded intelligence, yet were believable as 19-year-old college students.

Jesse Eisenberg (“The Squid and the Whale,” “Zomebieland”) plays Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Having both seen the movie and meet Eisenberg in person, there was no better person suited for this role.

In the film, Zuckerberg is depicted as someone who thinks one step ahead of his actions and it seemed the same for Eisenberg. The delivery of Sorkin’s script made you feel the loneliness and want for acceptance in his portrayal of Zuckerberg.

Opposite of Eisenberg was Andrew Garfield (“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”). Garfield played Zuckerberg’s roommate and closest friend, Eduardo Saverin. In the film, Saverin brought one of the two lawsuits against Zuckerberg and Facebook, lending to the multiple viewpoints of the film.

During the numerous deposition scenes in the movie, Garfield’s character is torn between his feelings toward his friend and the want for Facebook to succeed as a business. You felt the betrayal he experienced from Zuckerberg in his sharply delivered lines.

Playing the dual roles of Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss was Armie Hammer. With this role, it wasn’t just about the look of the characters. Sure, being 6 foot 5 and having an athletic build helped Hammer get the part, but his ability to play two characters physically the same and emotionally different really made the role. I also had the privilege of meeting Hammer and when he spoke, he commanded the room and that translated perfectly with Sorkin’s writing.

The twins played an interesting dynamic with Zuckerberg. Bringing the second lawsuit against Zuckerberg, they felt their idea had been stolen. The Winklevi, how Zuckerberg refers to the twins in the moving, struggle to bring the lawsuit against Zuckerberg and it’s that struggle between the twins were you really see that Hammer didn’t just make them “good twin, bad twin.”

Rounding out the performances in the film was Justin Timberlake who played Sean Parker, the founder of Napster. As Parker, Timberlake delivered fast lines and expelled charisma.  Zuckerberg is instantly drawn to Parker; he is a rock star in Zuckerberg’s eyes. Even though Timberlake comes into the film half way through, he doesn’t turn off the charm until the last few moments in the film.

The acting and script would have been nothing without the direction of David Fincher. It was as visually beautiful as it was beautifully written.

Fincher is a master his craft and it shows. One of the most impressive scenes in the film involves the Winklevoss twins rowing on the River Thames. Each twin comes in and out of focus in perfect rhythmic harmony.

Also Fincher called upon Trent Reznor to score the film, added to the final overall beauty of the film.

I would highly recommend this film, even if you have no idea what Facebook is. It’s clear from start to finish that Facebook took a back seat to beautiful writing, acting, and directing.

The Social Network is in theatres now.