This visual masterpiece is eloquent, yet it lacks in plot.
Nightcrawler is set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Lou Bloom is a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.
The story itself is good, but not strong enough to be sustained over the full running time of the film. While the cinematography and scenery is stunning this does not make up for the lack of plot in some of the movie.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou well and demonstrates his ability to create depth in his characters. Gyllenhaal really brings out the more disturbing and haunting side of the character, which means the reality of Lou’s actions really hit home with the viewers.
Overall the film is average, it has a strong performance from Jake Gyllenhaal and stunningly beautiful cinematography, but its length and lack of plot mean it isn’t quite as good as it could have been!
3 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Movie Screening Courtesy of Madman Films