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FILM REVIEW: Nightcrawler (15)

| October 28, 2014

Released : 31st October 2014
Rated : 15
Running Time: 117 mins
BBFCinsight: Strong bloody crime scene detail, strong language
Director: Dan Gilroy
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Ann Cusack, Kevin Rahm, Eric Lange, Riz Ahmed

Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is down on his luck. Unemployed, looking gaunt and desperate for money the only way he can make end meet is by stealing metal and selling it for scrap. But Lou has principles, he believes that ‘If you want to win the lottery you have to make the money to buy a ticket‘.

One night, on his way home, Lou comes across a car crash. As Lou stands and watching the police rescue an inured woman from her burning car two cameramen turn up in a van and, delighted to be the first journalists there, start filming the rescue. This is Lou’s first introduction to the murky world of the Nightcrawlers who inhabit night time Los Angeles and stop at nothing to film the breaking stories for the morning TV news.

Soon Lou is out on the streets of Los Angeles with his own camera in search of crime scenes, murders, pile-ups and major fires. TV executive Nina (Rene Russo) from Channel 6 is pleased with Lou’s intrusive ‘stop at nothing’ style, which even includes sabotaging the van of rival cameraman and filming them as they are rescued, bleeding, from their crashed van.

As Lou goes ever further to please Nina he oversteps the mark leading to fatal consequences.

To achieve the gaunt appearance of the Nightcrawler Jake Gyllenhaal lost 20 pounds in weight to make this film.

REVIEW: Of all the films I have seen in the cinema this has to be one of the best for years. Jake Gyllenhaal is on cracking form, serious yet funny, the film is entertaining beyond belief but has a hard edge that will keep audiences thrilled as the story of the Nightcrawler unfolds. This is a must-see film, a true classic that will be talked about for years to come.

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