This movie about a creepy misfit-turned-crime photographer impacted me more than I expected it to. It makes you think about why people are fascinated by violent events, whether the media should restrict its footage of such events, and how people face moral/ethical decisions that might force them to choose between decency and self service. Those were not at all issues for Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), our disturbing nightcrawler, the term used for freelance photographers who troll the streets of L.A. at all hours to capture footage for sale to the highest-bidding TV stations. Gyllenhaal, who has been widely interviewed regarding this role, lost about 30 pounds to portray the gaunt, hungry-for-recognition Bloom. We know he’s weird right from the start, but as the movie develops, we realize just how weird: He is completely devoid of sympathy for the misfortunes of his ‘subjects.’ Even worse, he recognizes no boundaries to success in his newly chosen profession. The question the movie leaves you with, though, is where would your own boundaries be? And overall, where should a decent society’s boundaries be?
Should You See It ? Yes, if only for the stellar performance by Jake Gyllenhaal. —D.W.
Viewed at the Galleria 6 Cinemas
