DR RATING 8/10
So Dan Gilroy's debut feature length picture is out for streaming, though I've been putting it on the back burner a little bit, man I really wish I hadn't. Gyllenhaal is spectacularly chilling as loner Louis Bloom in this noir-esq film. Bloom steals to make ends meet but when he discovers the underworld of night crawling his focus for work shifts. Night crawling is where film crew's trawl the streets for footage of incidents that they can sell onto local TV news. Bloom enrols the help of young and homeless Rick (Riz Ahmed). Vulnerable and desperate, Rick is willing to do anything for a little cash. Bloom becomes obsessed with chasing news with little or no thought for anything else. Bloom is an complete and utter sociopath, leaving you stunned at the levels he will stoop for money and success. Gilroy's script is strong and edgy, it covers some new subject matter I don't think has been covered before. It also has some really interesting social points, why is there desire for the public to see such graphic content in the news. I also need to mention Rene Russo's role as a veteran tv news employee who is a strong woman striving to maintain ratings. Russo's character Nina is pivetol in the unravelling of Bloom, watching him as he strives to impress her with footage to bargain and barter more money, with some subversive tactics. As this is Gilroy's first directing piece, he really hit a home run with Gyllenhaal. His commitment to the physicality of the character is admirable, Gyllenhaal's eye's are expressive and generally creepy aided by the gaunt look in his face. The cinematography is another really strong aspect, the depth of colour and use of light is excellent. You fall straight into this world, I found myself focusing on what he was picking up in his footage. All in all, an excellent thrilling ride.
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