Nightcrawler - Jake Gyllenhaal

expectationlost

A determined young man enters the underground world of freelance crime journalism in Los Angeles.

this looks good written and directed by Dan Gilroy
trailer > http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi164342809/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jdpEmDmziw

comes out in US in October

Mickeroo

I like the poster:

Morag

Oh it's not an X men movie, I am disappoint.

cloud493

Well I thought it was pretty good. Your man plays the part brilliantly.

toadfly

Seen it last night, it was ok. Jake played it really well but wasn't overwhelmed by it.

The Pooka

Came to see if there was a thread already - for my money, contender for film of the year!!

In a nutshell: it's Walter White as a paparazzo.

johnny_ultimate

There's a lack of films out there willing to put a truly repulsive character front and centre. It's what disappointed me a bit about Edge of Tomorrow - Tom Cruise's character was interesting at first as a selfish asshole - a rarity in action films - but that dissipated as he followed a more traditional 'hero' trajectory.

That's what makes Nightcrawler refreshing. Lou is a horrible person, allergic to empathy. Gyllenhaal delivers a deliciously scuzzy performance here, and the film makes no concessions in terms of getting the audience on his side.

The film is a lot of fun. The whole thing is painted in broad strokes - even the satire - but it works well. The camera soaks in nighttime LA with a nice mix of grit and style. It doesn't overdose on the 80s influence like other recent 'retro' obsessed thrillers do, and is a film happy to indulge modern influences as much as older ones.

There are some very funny moments and the film rarely forgets to be playful, although there's blackly comic potential here that Gilroy didn't wholly take advantage of. And the ending... There was a clear climax and a thematically appropriate ellipsis, but at the same time it felt very sudden in the way it played out. Can't really explain it, other than there was something a bit jarring about the epilogue.

Overall, though, it's refreshing to see a film that dispenses with the misconception that we need a likeable protagonist, and in Nightcrawler it's satisfying following Lou Bloom down his rabbit hole of abandoned morals.

whitewave

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

There's a lack of films out there willing to put a truly repulsive character front and centre.

I was trying to think of the right word to describe him, and repulsive is perfect!

Went to see this last night, found it a little slow at first but really enjoyed it overall. Thought Gyllenhaal was great in it, he looked so creepy at times.

cloud493

His eyes were open so wide, and he never seemed to blink :P

smurgen

I watched it last night and it was exactly my type of film.love movies centred on weird outcasts! Gyllenhaal plays the role excellently,his character is the very definition of a psychopath in it. Some very tense scenes in it.

e_e

One of the best films of the year for me. I actually struggle to think of a thing that I didn't like about it.

JP Liz V1

I'm hoping Jake scores an Oscar nomination, truly deserving

Pierce_1991

I've been looking forward to this one for a while which usually results in disappointment but this really lived up to expectations. JG was fantastic as were his supporting cast and as a few people have said already here, it was nice to see a film that doesn't feel it needs a likeable lead character.
The only annoying thing for me was I've seen the trailer a good few times and I felt it gave away too much of the plot.
That said, still a solid 8 or maybe 9 out of 10. One of the best flicks this year.

GBXI

Pierce_1991 wrote: »

I've been looking forward to this one for a while which usually results in disappointment but this really lived up to expectations. JG was fantastic as were his supporting cast and as a few people have said already here, it was nice to see a film that doesn't feel it needs a likeable lead character.
The only annoying thing for me was I've seen the trailer a good few times and I felt it gave away too much of the plot.
That said, still a solid 8 or maybe 9 out of 10. One of the best flicks this year.

Brilliant film. Gyllenhaal is one of my favourite actors and he was excellent throughout the whole movie. Will surely get nominated for an Oscar.

catallus

I enjoyed this too. Gyllenhaal was great, but I think Riz Ahmed as the sidekick was really good. I know his character was more of a foil for the main character, but the actor played it really well. He was very effective.

duckysauce

Great film loved it

Andersonisgod

Saw it last night,it's very much Gyllenhaal's film, he's in almost every scene and his performance is mesmerising, he brings an air of tension each time he is on screen, starting with his cringe-worthy attempts to procure a job and later, as you realize what he is capable of, you believe he will do anything as he feels no empathy.

Granted I did think the execution of the running theme that the media lacks morals was a bit heavyhanded. Ultimately Gyllenhaal, with his total lack of morals and hatred of people is the embodiment of a mass media not interested in facts or news, only ratings, via fear mongering, and creating an environment of reckless hate.

I have to say though that I thought it veered very close, almost to the point of mimicking Christian Bale's take on Patrick Bateman. Speech, expressions, Gyllenhaal even somewhat resembled Bale in American Psycho. I must admit to finding it a bit distracting.

Overall though I really enjoyed it, the kind of movie that will leave you thinking band talking about it for quite some time after the credits roll.

LuckyLloyd

Fantastic film, up there for the year 100%. Tremendous lead performance, plays the sociopath scumbag to perfection. The film never backs away, no give. Brilliant.

Easy Rod

Excellent movie and great acting from jake and riz. Couldn't get the thoughts of Rob Lowe's character from parks and rec out of my head when Lou spoke though! ðŸ˜႒

Bowlardo

Great Film. Jake will be in the running for best actor

Gamb!t

Saw it today and loved it, Gyllenhaal was brilliant in it, in a weird and wonderful way.
Nice movie to finish out 2014.

JP Liz V1

I didn't know Dan Gilroy (writer and director) is married to Rene Russo

wandatowell

A lot of people walking out of the cinema said it was crap. Not well received it seems.


I thought it was great, very very good.

titan18

wandatowell wrote: »

A lot of people walking out of the cinema said it was crap. Not well received it seems.


I thought it was great, very very good.

Those people were idiots then. Fantastic film.

Luckycharms_74

Watched it on Sat night. It was fantastic. I though Gyllenhaal was superb as the lead role & those eyes were very fcuking creepy . There was some very funny one liners between him and Riz Ahmed (Rick).
Well worth a watch & highly recommended

vidor

Went in to this a little skeptical (Gilroy wrote Two for the Money and The Bourne Legacy, and a first-time director here) but really enjoyed it. Gyllenhaal is great here as an unlikeable walking self-help book, and Elswit makes it look fantastic. I felt the only thing lacking was the score, Howard is prolific but rarely creates something memorable.

Mitch Connor

Fantastic advert for the Dodge Charger. Best car advert since the W12 A8 Audi in Transporter 2.

That_Guy

Saw this on Saturday night. It's really unsettling but in a good way... if that makes any sense?

Despite the nature of the story and Gyllenhall's sleazy, scumbag character, I couldn't help but root for him at times.

Excellent film all the same.

Easy Rod

Anyone know the song when he goes into the couple's house and takes a pic of their fridge and bills? Pretty sure it's the same song used in the trailer.

fayvirtue

i can't wait to see this one - Jake is one of my favorite actors !

buyer95

Heading to the cinema tonight and will see either this or 71. Which one would people recommend?

e_e

buyer95 wrote: »

Heading to the cinema tonight and will see either this or 71. Which one would people recommend?

Nightcrawler without a doubt, thought 71 ran out of steam after half an hour and just became a pretty ordinary thriller.

This has so much more to it in terms of theme and character too.

cloud493

I couldn't decide, they're both brilliant.

Johngoose

Can anybody think of a journalist in Ireland who arranged a murder for a news story?

catallus

Charlie Bird. Well known for it.

Johngoose

catallus wrote: »

Charlie Bird. Well known for it.

We'd better be careful with libel laws!;-) I think his claim to fame is that he failed the Leaving Cert!;-)

buyer95

e_e wrote: »

Nightcrawler without a doubt, thought 71 ran out of steam after half an hour and just became a pretty ordinary thriller.

This has so much more to it in terms of theme and character too.

Cool thanks

Pierce_1991

e_e wrote: »

Nightcrawler without a doubt, thought 71 ran out of steam after half an hour and just became a pretty ordinary thriller.

This has so much more to it in terms of theme and character too.

Absolutely. 71 is a great film with a very good performance but Nightcrawler is simply better in both accounts

Sam Mac

wandatowell wrote: »

A lot of people walking out of the cinema said it was crap. Not well received it seems.


I thought it was great, very very good.

They probably were expecting yet another by the books thriller. Their loss!

I saw this last night and thought it was fantastic. Film of the year for me.

tunguska

Was gonna go see this tonight but the other option is The Skeleton twins. Has anybody seen both and if so which do you think is the better movie?
Cheers

e_e

tunguska wrote: »

Was gonna go see this tonight but the other option is The Skeleton twins. Has anybody seen both and if so which do you think is the better movie?
Cheers

I've seen both and again my choice is Nightcrawler. I actually think it's probably the best film still on release. :pac:

I did like The Skeleton Twins though but it's not something you should go out of your way to see on the big screen.

Squeedily Spooch

e_e wrote: »

I've seen both and again my choice is Nightcrawler. I actually think it's probably the best film still on release. :pac:

I did like The Skeleton Twins though but it's not something you should go out of your way to see on the big screen.

Nightcrawler and Whiplash are the two best non animated films I've seen so far this year, both were outstanding. There's not a hope that JK Simmons and Jake Gylenhaal won't be up for Oscars.

e_e

Seeing a preview of Whiplash this week. Excited.

tunguska

e_e wrote: »

I've seen both and again my choice is Nightcrawler. I actually think it's probably the best film still on release. :pac:

I did like The Skeleton Twins though but it's not something you should go out of your way to see on the big screen.

Cool, Nightcrawler it is so.

tunguska

So just back from this and it is a very well made film, that much is obvious. I went to see interstellar last week and that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. But this is the exact opposite, left me feeling cold even though I did enjoy it. JG is brilliant, reminded me of Bobby D's character in The king of comedy(Rupert something or other?).
Good movie but definitely a cold fish

Squeedily Spooch

e_e wrote: »

Seeing a preview of Whiplash this week. Excited.

JK Simmons is absolutely fantastic in it, as is Miles Teller. The plot is pretty basic in a young student, intense teacher trying to get the best from them relationship so nothing groundbreaking, but it's just two fantastic actors going at it. The climactic 10-15 or so minutes is ridiculously intense and hands down the best scene of the year for me, it was actually exhausting to watch.

sydthebeat

Watched night crawler last night and would agree with most of the sentiments on here already. It's a very good film in which JG is absolutely superb! He's a thoroughly dislikeable character that is more a sociopath than simply a loner. His though processes are clinical and without empathy and his language is completely all biz ed 101.
The real startling point in the movie for me was the realisation that rene russos character is almost as calous as his, she becomes like a junkie needed a fix ......

8 / 10

david75

Really enjoyable film. He plays sociopathic really well.

Wtf was that ending??
Was just getting really good and it's over. Like that?
it's a toss between Nightcrawler and Most wanted man for the worst / most unsatisfactory ending of the year.

Nightcrawlers feels like a focus group ending..tacked on in post production..Doubt that's how the writer/director wanted it to end at all.


It deserved a much better and fleshed out conclusion.

candy-gal1

Loved the premise for this, and I enjoyed it and his whole mentality stature in it , but was missing just a little something - dont know what though! Would see it again though!

e_e

david75 wrote: »

Really enjoyable film. He plays sociopathic really well.

Wtf was that ending??
Was just getting really good and it's over. Like that?
it's a toss between Nightcrawler and Most wanted man for the worst / most unsatisfactory ending of the year.

Nightcrawlers feels like a focus group ending..tacked on in post production..Doubt that's how the writer/director wanted it to end at all.


It deserved a much better and fleshed out conclusion.

It was a very fitting ending to me. Shows how capitalism incentivizes and rewards morally dubious behavior.

corcaigh07

I know there was a line directed towards it but a red Dodge Charger with stripes being the car of choice for stakeouts, general sneakiness and storage for big camera equipment was hardly ideal. At least have it painted black!

Great movie though, would loved it if Gyllenhaal is at least nominated for Best actor though I suspect it's not material the Academy will like.