Nightcrawler

The Obsession is Real

            The opening shots of Nightcrawler provide some really cool views of Los Angeles at the day's close. The stillness in one of America's busiest cities is anything but still. There isn't excitement like what occurs after the sun goes down, even in L.A.

            Journalism is an industry not for the weak. The facts are out there and some are easier to report than others. The media is an entity constantly under public fire for broadcasting what seems to be the "wrong" stories or for not being completely bias on certain issues. In any condition, each station has to be different from its competition even if that means tip-toeing past the lines of ethics and morality. I know, this sounds kind of far-fetched, who knows how often instances like this actually take place in real life. For Louis Bloom, morality is something he is willing to sacrifice to save whatever is left in his one-bedroom apartment.

            Louis is a thief by day as well as loner by day. By night, he makes his own choices. One night in particular, he chooses to learn the craft of being a nightcrawler. (One who freelances video clips for news stations to purchase). He has no job and not much to lose so, if the money is that good, why not? Camcorder, police scanner, and new partner in hand, Louis takes a whack at the nightcrawling industry and even has one news director eating out of the palm of his hand. Going from complete rookie, to amateur, to sadistic pro, it isn't until he comes across a story before the cops show up where the real code of ethics is at stake.

            When you are as good at what you do as Jake Gyllenhaal is, it is not difficult to have an audience immediately take you seriously--even if you've shed a few pounds and are creepy from the get go. He easily draws a crowd, just ask any girl nearby. It's really nice to see a character of his take the turn for the worse in the best way possible.

            The first word that comes to mind after watching Gyllenhaal take on Louis Bloom is "natural." His character is conniving in nature, charming to the blind eye, and as articulate as the night is long but he pulls it off with an extremely natural flow and 60's style shades all with his greasy hair tied back once it's time for work. He was near flawless as Robert Graysmith, the obsessive cartoonist in Fincher's Zodiac, and now he's folded up the newspaper and found a fitting place behind the camera while borrowing some of Ryan Gosling's Drive intensity. This role is a true transformation for him.

            Gyllenhaal's not the only antihero in Dan Gilroy's film. His personal assistant in crime is played by Riz Ahmed (The Reluctant Fundamentalist) who is homeless and pretty much agrees to signing a blank check with Bloom. The news director that falls for Bloom's newly found talent is Rene Russo (Outbreak). Louis is a fast learner (he lets her know this a lot) and figures out just how to get what he wants, even if it's not what she had in mind. Even a cut throat Bill Paxton is along for the ride and stands in the way as Bloom's biggest nightcrawling competitor with 14 years already under his belt.

             Dan Gilroy has a few writing credits to his name (The Bourne Legacy, Real Steel) but this is a pretty impressive debut into directing. Regardless of your opinions of the media, Nightcrawler may leave you angry and cringing at how the news is dealt with, but, if my word matters, it's a truly suspenseful movie that delivers a pretty good time, if that's what you're up for. GRADE: 8.3/10