Reviewer: Mike Welsch Rating: 3.5/4 Director: Dan Gilroy Writer: Dan Gilroy Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, Bill Paxton Have you ever met someone who can hold a completely fluent conversation, argue with sound logic, persuade with witted charm, and yet doesn't seem fully human? Nightcrawler tells the twisted story of a man who exemplifies just that; a being who can obtain whatever it desires, but lacks and often refutes any ethical values that would otherwise block its path to success. As his directorial debut, Nightcrawler demonstrates Gilroy's distinctive skill in illustrating the maniacal progression of a character blinded by his false perception of success. Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a thief who pilfers whatever is in reach to sell to any willing customer for a profit. To Bloom, profit means success. After witnessing the scene of a car crash and the work of a news-team cameraman, Joe Loder, played by Bill Paxton, Bloom recognizes a profession that combines his proclivity for violence and adrenaline and asks Loder if he is hiring. He is not. Due to his eerily-optimistic nature, Bloom refuses to be discouraged by Loder and acquires a camera and a one-man crew, played by Riz Ahmed, as well as a police scanner purchased at a local pawn shop from the profits of a stolen racing bicycle that Bloom sells during the same transaction. Once taking to the streets, Bloom and his sidekick Rick Carey (Ahmed) race to crime scenes and car crashes to capture the footage to sell to news channels. As their footage becomes the focal point for one particular news channel, Bloom recognizes the inelasticity of his product and uses it as leverage to force a relationship with the channel's news director, Nina Romina, played by Rene Russo. What happens from there intensifies both the content that Bloom seeks to film as well as the audience's understanding of his true moral compass. Gilroy does a fantastic job of creating a character whose entire understanding of the world seems to have been torn from a "Business for Dummies" paperback. If you asked him, Bloom would tell you that there exists a fine-tuned algorithm for successfully brushing your teeth every morning, which in some way would play a pertinent role in your life's achievements. Gyllenhaal brings terrifying life to Bloom with his façade of positivity and transparent demeanor towards other human beings. "A friend is a gift you give yourself." To Bloom, there is no life, there is no death. To Bloom, there is only success and failure, and failure is not an option. This is one of my favorite films of the year. Gyllenhaal is amazing and gives what is, in my opinion, the best performance of his career to date. This is a must-see. Enjoy.
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Authors:Pat Brennan: Recent Film grad from Temple University with a love for all aspects of film. David Fincher for life. Archives:
November 2016
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