What is The Social Network?
The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. It is based on the founding of Facebook and the lawsuits that founder Mark Zuckerberg faced from his former colleagues.
The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the Harvard undergrad who creates Facebook. Andrew Garfield stars as Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg's best friend and Facebook co-founder, who later sues Zuckerberg for diluting his share of the company. Armie Hammer plays Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, two Harvard upperclassmen and Olympic rowers who hire Zuckerberg to work on Harvard Connection, later claiming that he stole their idea to create Facebook.
The film depicts the creation of Facebook in 2004, its rise in popularity among Harvard students, and the lawsuits that arose. Sorkin's screenplay is unique in that it tells the story primarily through flashbacks from two separate lawsuits. The result is a Rashomon-style drama focused on the concept of the unreliable narrator.
The Social Network received critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, acting, editing and score. It was widely cited as one of the best films of 2010 and remains an acclaimed portrayal of the rise of social media and the drama behind one of Silicon Valley's most influential companies.