Most Disturbingly Beautiful Character Ever

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2015)

Forget the plot, forget the storytelling, forget the formidable roles played by a strong set of supporting actors. Jake Gyllenhaal made this movie a beautiful, dark, and haunting piece of art. I never leave reviews for films but there was something about Louis that kept my eyes glued to the screen for every single second of the film. Obviously the physical transformation was absolutely astounding as a very frail and very slight man seemed to glide across the screen, a slight yet distinct haunch only added to a very small physical presence and yet there is not a scene where the character seems to be so subliminally superior to every other entity, what he lacks in build he makes up for in stunning eye contact and brutally efficient dialogue that literally commands attention. I could have sat in front of a screen and watched this in its entirety if it had a 12 hour run time, it was simply impossible to not become hopelessly transfixed. There have certainly been better movies, but I'm not sure there has been (in my lifetime) a better character, comparisons don't serve anybody justice but it is the best way to give scale in this example, Gyllenhaal rivals Hopkins Dr. Lecter and he did it with far more screen time dedicated to the character.