Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler
(2014)
A Review by Grant Kanigan
Directed by: Dan Gilroy
Written by: Dan Gilroy
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo,
Riz Ahmed, Bill Paxton
Rating: 14A
Release Date: October 31st 2014
Release Date: October 31st 2014
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| Jake Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed in Nightcrawler Source: http://www.nightcrawlerfilm.com/#gallery |
Set in Los Angeles, Nightcrawler follows Gyllenhaal's Louis Bloom, a bottom feeding criminal, who opens the film by assaulting a security guard when asked why he's stealing fencing and copper wire, then proceeds to steal the wire, fencing and the guard's watch. The audience never learns if the security guard gets away with his life, but Bloom's insistence on wearing the watch throughout the film serves as a disturbing reminder of Bloom's psyche. Bloom is a thieving conman, stealing bikes and then pawning them off for materials to sucker future victims. Soon enough, Bloom sells stolen goods for a cheap camera and then begins filming crime scenes. He starts by following a freelance videographer who specializes in crime scene footage, played by the reliable Bill Paxton. Soon enough, Bloom has wormed his way into the local news channel and begins to rise through the ranks as a gatherer of footage under the tutelage of Rene Russo's Nina Romina. After hiring Rick, (Riz Ahmed), a homeless millennial looking for a job so he can afford food, Bloom is on his way to becoming the next TMZ.
As we follow Bloom's exploits into darker and darker territory, we begin to see that it's not that Bloom has some kind of disability or autism/aspergers - he's a calculating psychopath. Nightcrawler is Scorsese's Taxi Driver without the broken insanity of Travis Bickle, whom we can see crumbling throughout that film, unaware of his social stuntedness. In contrast, Bloom is a complete sociopath, calculating every devastating move. He exemplifies this when he rebuts Rick after Rick offers to help him be less awkward around people; "what if I'm not awkward? What if it's just that I really hate people?" And it is true; Bloom despises people. From moving dead bodies at crash sites to entering an active crime scene, Bloom is reckless in his quest for the most shocking footage possible. With others, too, Bloom is conniving - blackmailing Russo into unwanted exploits, pushing Rick too far when Rick's safety is at risk, Bloom only cares about becoming the best at what he does, whatever that may be.
Too often with films like these, the audience is asked to put their criticism on hold in favour of letting the film unfold as is. Films like Spring Breakers, (which I like), and Funny Games (which I despise), are often told in broken narratives or in such a way that assaults the audience, and often trades entertainment value for philosophical value. Nightcrawler, is the first film in this modern anti-hero genre to overcome that duality. While the audience is a participating member in Bloom's footage, we never feel as if we are participating in his sociopathic madness, and although watching a videographer roaming L.A. might get tedious, Gilroy chooses to only focus on the action. This makes for a lightning fast, stomach churning thrill ride into the seedy bowels of Los Angeles, California.
The casting in Gilroy's Nightcrawler is impeccable. Gyllenhaal becomes Louis Bloom, with his gaunt demeanor, chilly personality, and trivia spouting mouth, he is a wonder to behold. Although there are already a multitude of fantastic performances in 2014, I sincerely doubt anyone can hold a candle to Gyllenhaal's fearless performance. Riz Ahmed, too, is fantastic. First coming onto my radar in the pitch black satire Four Lions, spoofing the warped mentality of religious extremists, Ahmed played a pompous goof. Here, he easily slips into an innocent acting derelict, merely looking for a way to survive. On the margins of the film are Bill Paxton, comfortably playing the protagonist to our antagonist anti-hero; and Rene Russo, the only person able to stand up to the ferocity of Gyllenhaal's performance. I wouldn't be surprised to see Russo pick up a supporting Oscar nod come 2015.
Overall, Nightcrawler is a minimalist film that avoids the trappings of art-house cinema. It's characterizations and situations are explosive, and while holding a finger to the pulse of the zeitgeist, doesn't lecture us. We're just asked to watch.
Too often with films like these, the audience is asked to put their criticism on hold in favour of letting the film unfold as is. Films like Spring Breakers, (which I like), and Funny Games (which I despise), are often told in broken narratives or in such a way that assaults the audience, and often trades entertainment value for philosophical value. Nightcrawler, is the first film in this modern anti-hero genre to overcome that duality. While the audience is a participating member in Bloom's footage, we never feel as if we are participating in his sociopathic madness, and although watching a videographer roaming L.A. might get tedious, Gilroy chooses to only focus on the action. This makes for a lightning fast, stomach churning thrill ride into the seedy bowels of Los Angeles, California.
The casting in Gilroy's Nightcrawler is impeccable. Gyllenhaal becomes Louis Bloom, with his gaunt demeanor, chilly personality, and trivia spouting mouth, he is a wonder to behold. Although there are already a multitude of fantastic performances in 2014, I sincerely doubt anyone can hold a candle to Gyllenhaal's fearless performance. Riz Ahmed, too, is fantastic. First coming onto my radar in the pitch black satire Four Lions, spoofing the warped mentality of religious extremists, Ahmed played a pompous goof. Here, he easily slips into an innocent acting derelict, merely looking for a way to survive. On the margins of the film are Bill Paxton, comfortably playing the protagonist to our antagonist anti-hero; and Rene Russo, the only person able to stand up to the ferocity of Gyllenhaal's performance. I wouldn't be surprised to see Russo pick up a supporting Oscar nod come 2015.
Overall, Nightcrawler is a minimalist film that avoids the trappings of art-house cinema. It's characterizations and situations are explosive, and while holding a finger to the pulse of the zeitgeist, doesn't lecture us. We're just asked to watch.
Grant's Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Jake Gyllenhaal & Rene Russo in Nightcrawler: "Screaming Woman"
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