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The Imitation Game vs. Gone Girl: Adapted Screenplays Battle It Out

By Jameson Brown · January 3, 2015

This year featured talented adaptations, but two specifically come to mind with the word "Oscars" surrounding them: The Imitation Game and Gone Girl. One follows the true story of Alan Turing, the man responsible for building the world's first computer, as he cracks Nazi encryption to help develop strategy to win the war. The other follows Nick and Amy Dunne as they let us into their dysfunctional marriage on steriods. But what makes these two stand out? What makes them frontrunners? To get to the top of the deck one must learn to adapt eloquently and be able to kill his or her darlings correctly. 

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Graham Moore is fairly new to the feature screenwriting scene. But it only takes one. And boy has he penned it. The Imitation Game weaves a beautifully paced (one of the script's strongest attributes) story that juxtaposes Turing's childhood with his adulthood, thus giving us insight into his OCD behavior, but also his genius and bravery. Moore doesn't give us a cardboard character that simply uses his achievements as his character development building blocks – he pays much-deserved homage and respect to Turing by delving deep into his backstory (used as backbone), while showing us through detailed action Turing's present day determination (in relation to the film). But meticulous pacing and character building aren't the only contenders in the adaptation field this year. Cue Gillian Flynn. 

 

Gillian Flynn accomplished one of the hardest tasks of adapting: successfully killing your darlings for the screen. There has been much discussion on the translation of Nick and Amy to the big screen and "did Flynn dumb them down to just two crazy people" vs. real human beings with severe mental issues. The answer: no. She edged them off almost perfectly for an onscreen adaptation. She gave Amy enough motivation to spark (and fuel) her actions; while she gave Nick enough self-confliction to drive him to all of his actions. Flynn had to remove the majority of internalization featured in her novel and translate everything into action (remember, that whole SEE and HEAR thing?). Not only did she do this well, but with Fincher-esque style to boot. 

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Alongside Flynn exercising her screenwriting muscles, the story and Fincher matched perfectly. The source material does not simply lend itself to Fincher's universe; it is Fincher's universe. He plays in this arena (that of thriller and art) so creatively this was bound to happen. A "stars aligned" scenario, if you will. 

 

These two screenplays will go head-to-head in this year's Oscar race (and Golden Globes for that matter). Both are worthy of their respective awards, but only one will come out with the win each time. 

Flynn vs. Moore in a adapted battle royale; right down to the last keystroke. 

Video Credits: MOVIE Clips, Movies Coming Soon, JoBlo

Photo: The Weinstein Company