Nightcrawler is creepy intense good.
Jake Gyllenhaal is not quite right when we meet him. He’s a thief who
ultimately decides to start filming crime aftermath at night. He learns quickly
and does beat Bill Paxton’s crew at their own game. With a police scanner he
learns the codes and lingo and he’s there with a camera to film the blood and
gore of the night. “If it bleeds, it leads”. Sure enough, the news producer
(Rene Russo) starts buying his film and he works all the angles.
Nightcrawler is a film about morals, scruples,
and the length folks go to for a story. (Too far). It’s scary good and
makes you think about what you see on television. But it’s all about the
ratings and Jake’s character knows he has a lot of power. This film is not for
the feint of heart. Whether it’s a fire or traffic accident, Jake is there for
the closeup. Does he eliminate the competition? As I said, this movie is
almost too close for comfort when it comes to what is right or wrong. Great
acting and perhaps an Oscar nomination for Gyllenhaal. Watch the evening
news at your own peril. Yikes!
