The Social Reckoning and What’s Making Us Happy
Summary
Glenn Weldon, Linda Holmes, and Danielle Kurtzleben discuss Aaron Sorkin’s new film, The Social Reckoning, which dramatizes the Facebook Files scandal. The hosts critique the movie’s heavy-handed gender politics, melodramatic pacing, and reliance on Sorkin’s signature dialogue, noting that while the performances are solid, the script often feels corny and disconnected from reality. They debate whether the film successfully captures the gravity of the whistleblower story or merely obscures it with artistic license. The episode concludes with the trio sharing their current media favorites, in…
Topics discussed
Sponsorships: Capella University and NPR+
Introduction to The Social Reckoning and its premise
Guest introductions and film background
Linda Holmes' critical review of the film
Danielle Kurtzleben's reaction and Sorkin tropes
Glenn Weldon's recommendation and comedic value
Critique of character portrayals and realism
Analysis of gender dynamics and Sorkin's politics
Discussion on the fractured timeline and narrative tension
The challenge of dramatizing known events and exposition
Critique of dialogue pacing and Zuckerberg scenes
Sorkin's direction versus previous directors
Performance highlights and final verdicts
Sponsorships: BetterHelp, Rinse, and AT&T
What's Making Us Happy: Janice Hallett's mysteries
What's Making Us Happy: Kill Berry Print documentary
What's Making Us Happy: The Try Guys Phoning It In
Credits and final sponsorships
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