Nightcrawler (Movie Review)

   

Jake Gyllenhaal is Lou Bloom, an unemployed man who stumbles into video journalism

     What a weird movie this was. Jake Gyllenhaal is known for role turning performances that have either kept us guessing, but, I mean, he was superb playing a creep. Jake plays Louis Bloom, a persistent, if awkward guy looking for any job that he could be useful for. Sometimes, if things don't go as planned, he might either try to bribe or steal from a person. He plays rough. Then, one day, he finds something that supports his lofty ambitions: video journalism. Except, the way he does it, is not ethically sound compared to his peers. For instance, he's goes into a crime scene, where the ambulance workers are tending to an injured person, and rather than get a clear shot of the entire crime scene, he goes directly to the medical workers tending to the person. He submits his information to the morning news director Nina, played by Rene Russo, who tells Lou to keep at this and come with better equipment to sublimit his talents. The more controversy he sells to her and the local station, the better his reputation grows. And as his videos go for higher profits, he wants more power.

     Nightcrawler showcases how Journalism has changed over the last 20 years in America, and that the usually objected, fair approach to the craft, has become something different. The fascinating part about how a lot of this is portrayed, is Gyllenhaal's character doesn't care about the repercussions that he'll face from outside forces, whether it be LAPD or the feds, he's sending these tapes because it'll helps his bottom line and be in the graces of the people who respect him. Integrity comes last for Lou. He's a hustler who only sees video journalism as a hustle, not as a means to maintain its dignity.

      I liked the direction of this film a lot, really. First-time director Dan Gilroy (brother of Tony Gilroy) did a good job of scenery, acting and some cool looking car chases. The acting was anchored by Gyllenhaal and Russo, but the co-stars were pretty good, too. Bill Paxton has a role as a cameraman, but I would've loved to have seen how his character Joe progressed against the friendly rivalry of Lou in the waning moments of the film.

      Length-wise, it could've been a tad shorter, and the film did seem to go for an Oscar nomination in the best actor category. Gyllenhaal was certainly excellent and if he gets one, good for him. As for the rest of the film? Just proceed to this weird underbelly. One of the better films of 2014.

Good: Jake Gyllenhaal's superb performance, well-directed, solid score by James Newton Howard

Bad: Some supporting characters could use more development..

4.5 out of 5.