Dan Gilroy’s “Nightcrawler” captures the world of freelance video-journalism in a dark, creepy way. It succeeds because of an engaging performance by Jake Gyllenhaal and is often suspenseful and exciting.
The film can also be read as a scathing critique of some aspects of video-journalism (including the paparazzi; shows such as TMZ) and the lengths that such men and women go to capture their subject matter. They often go beyond the boundaries of moral decency and ethics and use questionable tactics in order to obtain their photos and videos.
But at the same time, we can also see it as an indictment of the viewer. They are, after all, intrigued by such media and it is their fascination with it that produces the demand for the often lurid, invasive, violent and indecent material.
From the start of the film, Louis Bloom (Gyllenhaal) is seen as slightly corrupt and beyond abiding by the law. He seems a perfect person for the role of video-journalist that he will eventually find himself in as a result of a series of interconnected events. His work, he finds, is in demand by a struggling local news television station and soon he is financially well-off.
Later in the film, he finds himself caught up in more and more dangerous situations that will put his life in jeopardy. But he knows that the public’s and television station’s demand for his material will compel him to keep soldiering on.
Everything about this film is dark and brooding. Most of the scenes take place at night, hence the title of the film. The performances and the story are enough to win over most viewers. I was impressed.
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