NIGHTCRAWLER  3.0***

 

        A “nightcrawler” is an ugly and slimy animal that surfaces at night and feeds upon live and dead organisms,  a more than apt title for  this riveting  new film. In “Nightcrawler”, the creepy crawly creature  is one. Louis Bloom. Bloom ( Jake Gyllenhaal) is a true sociopath, lacking any kind of empathy or feeling for anyone. In fact the only living thing he seems to care about is his house plant that has pride of place next to the TV. He's a scavenger and a thief, completely unemployable. That is until he happens upon a car accident on the highway, stops to investigate, and bumps into a news crew video filming it. He suddenly gets an epiphany - that's what he wants to do with his life; that's how he can earn himself a lot of money.

 

The film then follows him as he embarks on his new “calling” and each instance sees him pushing the boundaries of legality and morality a little bit further… all to get the most graphic bloody shots. .Louis is the extreme embodiment of some of today's worst paparazzi. He has no care for his subjects - just getting the best shot of them to earn him the most money. But there's more. He's egotistical, ambitious, manipulative, and curious. There isn't much he won't do in order to further his goals including  threatening and blackmailing those around him. Bloom is one of  the most detestable character I've seen in ages. He's a soulless scavenger rummaging through the misfortunes of others, feeding off accidents and violent crimes, sometimes while they're still happening. But the TV news station keeps buying what he's selling as viewer ratings spike with each successive gory scene shown.. For the TV news the saying is : “If it bleeds, it leads” .

 

Gyllenhaal arguably gives one of the  best performance of his career in a role that substantially differentiates from his earlier work. He looks gaunt and creepy… he lost over 20 lbs and worked out diligently to create the scary appearance.

 Gyllenhaal's performance is flawless and terrifying. His creepy, relaxed composure is a perfect foil for the madness he hides inside. Rene Russo is quite good  as a veteran TV news producer whose moral compass has spun out.  

 

Nightcrawler is a  riveting and disturbing story set against the haunting backdrop of night-time L.A. This is definitely not an easy film to watch.  It can  be rather disturbing at times. And you find yourself feeling guilty for  rooting for Bloom even though you know you really shouldn't. All in all, this is  one of the most riveting and engaging films I have this year.  

 

Rated R for violence including graphic images, and for language.

 

Clark