From the first word, first breath, first sentence this compulsively watchable film announces itself as a masterpiece by Aaron Sorkin. The Social Network has little to do with how Facebook was created. It is a story about friendship, loyalty, class and ambition.  The film was directed by David Fincher, famous for his one hundred takes, who expects nothing but perfection. That is what he has achieved in this brilliant film.

The CEO of Facebook is Mark Zuckerberg, brilliantly played by Jessie Eisenberg. Zuckerberg is oblivious to social situations. We never see him smile, raise his voice or show any human emotion at all.

The film opens with Zuckerberg and his best friend Eduardo Saverin (played by Andrew Garfield) as 19 year old students at Harvard. The story interweaves the tale of their friendship to show the once best friends ultimately having to talk through their lawyers. The climactic scene of their falling out actually packs so much emotional punch that you can't help but see what brilliant actors both Eisenberg and Garfield are.

Justin Timberlake plays Sean Parker (creator of Napster) as the "mistress" who breaks up Zuckerberg and Saverin. Parker seduces Zuckerberg with the high life in California. Timberlake also plays his role flawlessly. Watching these three actors together is like seeing a tennis match between Borg and McEnroe....you know you are seeing genius.

Both Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg were nominated for Golden Globe Awards. The picture itself won Best Drama, Best Director and Best Screenplay. The Social Network was also nominated for eight Academy Awards. Aaron Sorkin won best screenplay. The soundtrack also won. Eisenberg was nominated for best actor. I personally believe it was the scene that Eisenberg was in with David Selby playing Gage (defense lawyer for the Winklevoss twins, also suing Zuckerberg) that made the Academy take notice of his incredible performance. David Selby, mostly known for his work in Dark Shadows and Falcon Crest, has had a wonderful career on the stage, TV and films. But this work of art; this piece of history, must have been very special for him.

As a person with a degree in Film Studies, I ask myself "why aren't they making films like The Graduate, The Godfather, or One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest anymore?" Then I saw  The Social Network and realized that every now and then they do.