Nightcrawler (2014)
Written and Directed by Dan Gilroy
Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed, Kevin Rahm, Ann Cusack, Michael Hyatt.
Tense psychological thriller, sees Louis Bloom (Gyllenhaal), a dangerous grifter discovers the world of late night video camera operators, who sell the violent stories to local news stations for money.
He slowly builds up his craft, along with the relationships of the local night night news director, Nina (Russo), his direct competition Joe (the late Paxton) and his new intern Rick (Ahmed).
As his obsession for being the best, and the quickest, the lines of what is acceptable, and what is not is blurred. He soon will stop at nothing to be the best in the game.
Exceptionally well crafted film has a neo-noir quality to it, with the majority of the film taking place during the night time. The digital camera work gives a real night time feel to it, rather than the false night look that films are used to.
The performance by Gyllenhaal, is almost frightening at times, his demeanour turns from cheerful, to almost devilish within seconds as his character interacts with others. His gaunt like appearance, which is due to his weight loss for the role and purposefully changing his diet and sleep patterns give his eyes a sunken look that adds to the intensity of the performance.
The supporting cast such as Russo and Ahmed are also equally sound, with Russo (the real life wife of Director Gilroy) gives an amazing performance as the aging news director, who is on the cusp of possibly losing her job – and Louis being her last shot at saving it with his incredible camera work. Ahmed is also brilliant as the down on his luck Rick, desperate to do a good job, but unsure where he sits with the unstable Louis. The late Paxton, is a little underused, and he is absent in the last hour of the film.
The score from the legendary James Newton Howard is brilliant, and it really complements the mood of Louis – with it being fast paced, tech based and intense.
The third act is brilliantly filmed, with an intense car chase that culminates in a shocking conclusion.
A brilliant film and a high recommend.
4.5/5