The Social Network *****

A superb movie, with outstanding everything, this story of the founding and early years of Facebook is one of the very best of the year. Just remember that this is a work of art, not history, and characters and situations may be altered in the interest of drama. This version is based on Ben Mezrich's book, "The Accidental Billionaires." For another view of what happened, from someone who had full access to the principals, read David Kirkpatrick's "The Facebook Effect."

But back to the movie. The story is framed around depositions of various lawsuits brought by former associates, with flashbacks. Here we have a taut script that tries not to take sides, masterful directing, and uniformly excellent performances. Jesse Eisenberg perfectly embodies the focused but supposedly socially inept (oh, the irony!) super-smart founder/programmer Mark Zuckerberg. You know that there is a lot going on in his head, but he is not afraid to freeze his face to show his distance and lack of connection.

Andrew Garfield, as the friend Eduardo Saverin, whose fault was thinking too small, convincingly captures the frustration of separation and the narrow viewpoint of someone who ultimately didn't get it. But the best of the supporting actors is the surprising Justin Timberlake, whose portrayal of the twice burned founder of Napster, Sean Parker, gives Zuckerberg timely and sage advice about keeping control of his company, but whose lifestyle proves ultimately to be a liability.

At the end of the day it's director David Fincher ("Fight Club," "Se7en,""Zodiac,""The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") who puts it all together, and who, I dare say, should walk away with a golden statuette, as should quite a few of the others involved in this project.

Rated PG-13. 120 minutes. David Fincher - Director, Aaron Sorkin - Writer (screenplay), Ben Mezrich - Writer (book "The Accidental Billionaires"), Dana Brunetti - Producer, Cean Chaffin - Producer, Michael De Luca - Producer, Scott Rudin - Producer, Jeff Cronenweth - Cinematographer, Trent Reznor - Composer, Atticus Ross - Composer, Donald Graham Burt - Production Designer, Kirk Baxter -Editor, Angus Wall - Editor. Distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Principal actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara.