Fueled by unethical ambition, Gyllenhaal's Louis Bloom is a wholly original creation

Rating: 7/10 (18 April 2015)

Jake Gyllenhaal does some of his finest work in years playing Louis Bloom, an L.A.-area computer geek, unemployed and living in a cheap apartment, who weasels his way into a new career as a video-photographer selling crime and accident footage to a television news-station. Bloom's burning, all-consuming passion to excel to the next level of his 'business' knows no ethical boundaries; he stoops to manipulating footage--as well as the people around him--just to achieve success. Rene Russo (also doing top-notch work) is the disbelieving TV news director who can't question Bloom's morals...because she hasn't many herself. Writer-director Dan Gilroy has fashioned this intense character study with a nimble hand; even when the scenario becomes more of a suspense-driven piece, Gilroy does not allow the violent melodrama which ensues to interfere with his focus on Louis Bloom, an original and unpredictable character, a human question-mark. Supporting cast, technical effects all excellent. *** from ****