Nightcrawler Review
RYAN: This is the new crime drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and it has a nice dash of thriller in the mix. I was expecting it to be a little bit like Jake’s answer to Ryan Gosling in Drive, but it’s nothing like that movie. Maybe it’s just a bit similar in the tone of the movie poster. I actually liked this better than Drive.
CAROLINE: Drive was quite acclaimed. Why do you prefer this one?
RYAN: Jake plays a brilliantly articulate and clever man who’s also seriously disturbed. He’s a highly functional crazy man. I spent much time during the movie considering how to describe his character and I’ve diagnosed him as having an anti-social personality disorder. He’s a creepster and not just because of his greasy hair. He plays a photojournalist who is morally corrupt. He’s basically the male version of Nicole Kidman in To Die For.
CAROLINE: (laughs) Wow that’s reaching back. But that was a breakthrough performance for Nic at the time. Are you saying the same for Jake?
RYAN: No. It’s definitely a different role for him and he has some fantastic speeches in this movie that are quite impressive. But the movie as a whole has some issues.
CAROLINE: Such as?
RYAN: In between the quick and engaging banter scenes with Jake and his costars, the film lags. There are some boring montages and moments when you’re waiting for the next thing to happen.
CAROLINE: Rene Russo and Bill Paxton costar.
RYAN: Bill could have done this role in his sleep. But Rene is awesome. She looks great and all of her scenes were intoxicating. I was taking some notes during this movie and literally every time she and Jake had an exchange, I couldn’t look away. They have such amazing chemistry – it was so odd!
CAROLINE: (laughs) Why odd? Isn’t that the goal?
RYAN: Yes, but it’s just that Jake’s character is so disturbing and awkward. I suppose it speaks to the strength of his performance in this movie. He’s like a paparazzi for crimes in the night. That part was interesting.
CAROLINE: It does sound intriguing.
RYAN: I like some disturbing things in movies but this one crosses some moral lines that made me cringe more than freak out about how twisted they were. That’s a bit uncomfy in the audience.
CAROLINE: Honey, you know I know CringeworthyStuff!
RYAN: (laughs) Yeah you do. There is an great climax and a car chase at the end that made me feel like a needed a seatbelt. But it’s for it’s drawbacks, it’s not a must see in the theater. I would have easily enjoyed this movie at home.
