Nina Kenwood, our digital marketing manager, and Fiona Hardy, our crime book specialist, attended a special preview screening of the Gone Girl movie this week. Here’s a (relatively) spoiler free discussion of the experience.

Nina: Hi Fiona. We both saw the Gone Girl movie last night. Let’s start with the most pressing question: did you see Ben Affleck’s penis? No wait. We’ll come back to that. Did you enjoy the film?

Fiona: Yes, I did enjoy Ben Affleck’s penis! I thought it was well-crafted and modern.

Wait, yes, I got carried away also.

I have to say I went into this movie feeling pretty confident that it was going to live up to my expectations – I thought Ben Affleck was perfectly cast as Nick, a character you love to hate, smarmy yet with some slightly goofy innocence. Rosamund Pike is beautiful in a too-beautiful way as she should be, and David Fincher is an incredible director. I thought it was a little bumpy at the start, trying to introduce everything very swiftly, but it’s such a meaty work to get into and I’m impressed with all that he and author/screenwriter Gillian Flynn managed to fit into a normal feature-length movie. How did you feel about it?

Nina: Yes, I agree with your thoughts on the casting. I thought the film was enjoyably bonkers and lots of fun. And it was funny, much more so than the book. I laughed out loud many times.

Fiona: Oh, it could be hilarious at times! And you’re right – I don’t think I would have ever described the book itself as funny but I found myself bursting out with unexpected laughter and quietly grateful that everyone else was laughing as well.

I’d heard rumours that Flynn had changed the end of the movie – I was glad you said before we went in that you’d heard rumours that stated otherwise.

Nina: Yes, there appears to be much confusion about the ending. At one stage, Ben Affleck was quoted as saying “This is a whole new third act! She literally threw that third act out and started from scratch!” I’m not sure if Ben has actually read the novel, but I think we can safely say that is not the case. I would say this is a fairly faithful adaptation.

What was your favourite part of the film? And least favourite part?

Fiona: As far as favourite parts go, I think I was just so pleased with the entire movie that I’m not really sure, but I did find some (probably unsavoury) enjoyment in a particular bloodthirsty scene at the end. (Speaking of which, if you haven’t read the book, I’d advise that the movie is not for the faint-hearted!) The only moments I didn’t enjoy were characters that I didn’t want to turn up because I knew things were going to go pear-shaped afterwards, but it wasn’t a fault of the film – the tension they built was excellent. The musical cues from Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor were truly intense at times. What stood out for you?

Nina: I really enjoyed seeing various scenes from the book brought to life. That bloodthirsty scene you mentioned is such a stand out – including the sequence of events that follow it. I was really impressed with Flynn’s script – it’s nice to see an author guide her work from book to screen so well. Much like The Fault In Our Stars, I think this is a really clever adaptation that has stayed true to the book’s tone and intentions.

Do you think this is the kind of movie that is primarily servicing fans of the book, or do you think it has just as much to offer to people who have never read Gone Girl?

Fiona: I wish I’d harassed other members of the audience as they came out to see if anyone hadn’t read it! While it held closely to the original work, I don’t think it was to the detriment of the story – no tremendously important parts felt left out. None of it felt confusing, and that point halfway through where the whole movie turns on its head is not overly telegraphed, but still makes perfect, delicious sense.

Are you going to start reading the book again, or spend your spare time bothering your friends to go and see this so they can chat about it too?

Nina: I already forced many of my friends to read the book, so now I will force those same friends to see the movie, to ensure I have plenty of people to discuss it with.

Overall, I highly recommend this film! I presume you do as well?

Fiona: I very much do! I might even put the soundtrack on at work next time I’m in. Thanks for going with me, Nina, and letting me elbow you and giggle during the nude scenes like scandalised teenagers.

Nina: It was my pleasure.

Gone Girl is playing cinemas across Australia now. The book is available in the original paperback edition or as a film tie-in.