Wes's Grade: B+
Gyllenhaal's electric, creepy turn grounds the wickedly tense "Nightcrawler"
The dark, well-acted new thriller "Nighcrawler" is a devilishly powerful ride through the underbelly of Los Angeles crime, as told through the local news. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal in an Oscar-worthy turn so wildly creepy and slimy, you may have to wash your hands after seeing the movie. Lou Bloom (Gyllenhall) is a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding some freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and assorted mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each crime could equal a nice paycheck. Aided by Nina (Rene Russo), a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives and in the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story. Directed and written by screenwriter Dan Gilroy in his feature film directorial debut (and he's married to Russo in real life), the fascinating "Nightcrawler" is a wildly hypnotic, wildly entertaining tale that will dig deep into your psyche and stay there awhile; instead of tissues have some hand sanitizer because you might feel a little dirty after watching it. Gilroy, whose written such unmemorable movies as "Two For the Money" and "Freejack" over the years, finds some sure footing here, though some of it, particularly the intense climax, is a tad outrageous and over-the-top, but then the dark side of investigative journalism often is. Gyllenhaal's is excellent in what is likely his best and most talked-about role to date, that of the ambitious, smooth-talking psychopath Lou; Gyllenhaal's weight loss for the film enhances his already large eyes, giving off an ultra creepy vibe in a psychotic character who'll do literally nearly anything just for a dollar. Gyllenhaal is one of cinema's smartest actors, and it really pays off in a role he'll likely receive many accolades for. As his partner in crime Rick, Riz Ahmed ("The Reluctant Fundamentalist") provides some humanity (and moments of dark humor) as the voice of reason, while the blowsy Russo, still looking great at age 60, is his other partner in crime but a clear enabler. Gyllenhaal's Lou, in one terrific scene with Russo, manages to execute both a business deal and a romantic endeavor, and you'll leave both shocked and totally creeped out. "Nightcrawler" doesn't work perfectly all the time (especially with Bill Paxton's character, who seems a minor annoyance here), but it's wickedly intense, bloody entertaining and features one of the year's most hypnotic performances from Gyllenhaal, who continues to grow as an actor. Add this to your growing list of must-see fall films.
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