Nightcrawler-2014
Director Dan Gilroy
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal
Scott’s Review #225
Reviewed March 1, 2015
Grade: B+
Nightcrawler (2014) is an intense crime thriller set in Los Angeles, featuring a wonderful performance by Jake Gyllenhaal as an unstable thief named Lou.
He cons and manipulates his way to success, videotaping accident scenes and selling them to news stations.
The film is the directorial debut of Dan Gilroy, who could become a household name.
Nightcrawler was deservedly awarded the Best Screenplay and the Best First Feature Independent Spirit awards.
The film is set mainly at night as Lou courses the city in search of accidents, crimes, and violence- the bloodier the better.
Later, Nina Romina, played by Rene Russo, tells him that violent crimes in affluent neighborhoods are best because they get the highest ratings.
Lou sells the footage to the highest bidder, and Nina becomes his main customer. Lou is eventually helped by Rick Carey, a desperate accomplice who needs money, played by Riz Ahmed.
Nightcrawler’s interesting elements are its moody setting and dim lighting. It reminds me of the 2004 film Collateral, starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise, also set in Los Angeles.
Mostly set at night and heavily set on the streets of L.A., I found this mood excellent and a compelling aspect of the film.
It makes Nightcrawler look great.
Gyllenhaal deserves praise for his role as Lou and is largely responsible for the success. He was a co-producer.
As an actor, he is excellent and reminiscent of the frightening performance Robert De Niro gave in Taxi Driver (1976). With an angular face and eyes that never seem to blink, he is intense and driven on every level.
He is a sociopath.
When he quietly threatens Nina and Rick on separate occasions, one can tell he means business. Why Lou has become a thief desperate for money is never explained- does he have a family? Is he a convict?
He seems highly educated, but is he? How did he land in this predicament and resort to the life that he does?
As Lou becomes more manipulative and adjusts crime scenes to make them shocking, he seems to teeter over the edge of sanity.
In one scene, he sneaks into a victim’s home and videotapes photos of the victims from their refrigerator to promote an empathetic angle and therefore make more money from them.
This is a brilliant performance by Gyllenhaal.
Another fascinating performance I admired is Rene Russo’s, absent from films for what seems like years; Nightcrawler is a nice return for her.
Her character also has a little backstory.
We know she is a driven newswoman who struggles to maintain success at individual news stations and moves around a lot. Nina is a cutthroat news director who craves violent stories and is determined to keep her job.
She also becomes begrudgingly fascinated by Lou.
Does she like bad boys or does she admire his talent?
The third major character is Riz Ahmed’s Rick. Rick comes across as a sweet, yet gullible guy strapped for cash. Like Lou, we do not know why he is broke, but it is hinted that he may do or have done some male prostitution- he is desperate.
As the film goes along the character develops tough skin and realizes he is attracted to this new lifestyle and excitement, but will not be bullied by Lou.
On a social level, the film presents an interesting, albeit disturbing take on the relationship between the media and the viewers. What will news channels do for a good story? How bloodthirsty are news audiences? How often is a positive news story presented? It makes the audience reflect and ponder.
Nightcrawler is a dark thriller, which deservedly garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay and a slew of Independent Spirit Awards.
Intense, rich, and visually appealing, it is one of the success stories of 2014 cinema.
Oscar Nominations: Best Original Screenplay
Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 2 wins-Best Male Lead-Jake Gyllenhaal, Best Supporting Male-Riz Ahmed, Best Screenplay (won), Best First Feature (won), Best Editing