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Nightmare Alley follows Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), an ambitious drifter with a mysterious past who starts working as an assistant for a carnival clairvoyant act. After learning the tricks of the trade from Madame Zeena (Toni Collette) and her alcoholic husband, he leaves with Molly (Rooney Mara) to start his own psychic act for the wealthy. But how many lines will he cross in the process?
The story is based on a 1946 novel that was turned into a film the next year. Del Toro, however, wasn't familiar with the film and based his version on the book, which was given to him by Ron Perlman himself back in the 90s. The result is an interesting mix of horror and noir that seems right up his alley, despite lacking his usual supernatural angle.
As its expected from Del Toro, the film is a visual spectacle. His direction is impeccable, and the cinematography by Dan Laustsen is gorgeous. The performances are pretty much great all across, with Cooper and Cate Blanchett being the standouts, but others like Mara, Collette, and Richard Jenkins are great as well. It was also great to see Mindhunter's Holt McCallany in a supporting, but somewhat significant role in the second half.
The film does seem a bit on the long side, and there are little surprises to how the plot unfolds. I love and admire Del Toro's meticulousness and visual flare, but despite all the excellence in the craft, it ended up being a somewhat cold and distant experience for me.
Grade:
NIGHTMARE ALLEY
(2021, Del Toro)
Freebie
(2021, Del Toro)
Freebie
"Sometimes you don't see the line until you cross it."
Nightmare Alley follows Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), an ambitious drifter with a mysterious past who starts working as an assistant for a carnival clairvoyant act. After learning the tricks of the trade from Madame Zeena (Toni Collette) and her alcoholic husband, he leaves with Molly (Rooney Mara) to start his own psychic act for the wealthy. But how many lines will he cross in the process?
The story is based on a 1946 novel that was turned into a film the next year. Del Toro, however, wasn't familiar with the film and based his version on the book, which was given to him by Ron Perlman himself back in the 90s. The result is an interesting mix of horror and noir that seems right up his alley, despite lacking his usual supernatural angle.
As its expected from Del Toro, the film is a visual spectacle. His direction is impeccable, and the cinematography by Dan Laustsen is gorgeous. The performances are pretty much great all across, with Cooper and Cate Blanchett being the standouts, but others like Mara, Collette, and Richard Jenkins are great as well. It was also great to see Mindhunter's Holt McCallany in a supporting, but somewhat significant role in the second half.
The film does seem a bit on the long side, and there are little surprises to how the plot unfolds. I love and admire Del Toro's meticulousness and visual flare, but despite all the excellence in the craft, it ended up being a somewhat cold and distant experience for me.
Grade: