THE SOCIAL RECKONING****

I think most people would agree that Mark Zuckerberg is a deeply creepy profit-seeker whose social media empire has inflamed political division; spread misinformation through rage-bait; and harmed the mental health of our children. So what can writer-director Aaron Sorkin's film, THE SOCIAL RECKONING, give us?  First off, an appreciation for the old school hard yards of investigative journalism, without which none of the documents that underpin the current wave of class-action lawsuits and governmental limitations on social media for kids would have come to light. Second, an appreciation of the bravery of those who choose to whistle-blow.  Third, an appreciation of just how toxic and WEIRD the corporate environment at Meta is - or any company, or any country for that matter - held in thrall to a single owner-manipulator.  Fourth, a reminder that there is a deep-seated and visceral respect for titles in all of us. We may hate it, but when Jeremy Strong's Zuck is being asked to de-platform Trump, he quietly whispers, "but he's the sitting president".  There but for the grace of god go we all.

Sorkin's exceptionally brilliant screenplay runs on two tracks and timelines.  First off, we have the heroes and protagonists who are trying to bring Meta's malfeasance to light.  The Bear's Jeremy Allen White plays the Wall Street Journal's investigative reporter Jeff Horwitz as a quiet, humourless, earnest nerd.  And ANORA's Mikey Madison plays the Facebook whistle-blower Frances Haugen as a quiet, humourless, earnest nerd. And yet, and yet, it's just fascinating to see old and new media - tech naif and tech literate - clash in a common goal - and to see the relationship between the two of them pay off. There's a final moment - a glance between the two of them at the Capitol - that is really affecting because of the slow build of their mutual respect and friendship.  Both performances are strong.  This is their film

Sorkin is wise to withhold the second strand of the film, and our Big Bad, Mark Zuckerberg, until half an hour into the film.  Like the shark in JAWS, he lets the tension build, and Jeremy Strong's uncanny impression of the older, even more menacing Zuck, is truly breath-taking. His scenes are all centred around the preparation for his testimony to Congress on the day that the Capitol Riot breaks out.  Bill Burr is superb as the Voice of Sorkin and Righteousness, trying to appeal to Zuck's morality, such as it is.  But I also really liked SINNERS' Wunmi Mosaku as the PR advisor hired to drill Zuck for his testimony.  Both are with Zuck in the situation room as the riot unfolds and it's from them that we get the human reaction - pull the plug on the President (who remains unnamed).

Sorkin reminds us what broke that day.  And he shows us how citizens around the world have been deliberately enraged and radicalised for profit.  We already knew all of this, but seeing it play out to its logical conclusion of trampled policeman and death is visceral and brilliant. The resulting film is superbly written and acted. The direction is fine.  One cannot help but wonder what Fincher might have made of it though - especially those final scenes in the Capitol.

THE SOCIAL RECKONING has a running time of 1hr 52 minutes and is rated 15. It goes on global release on October 8th.