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Review: 'Nightcrawler'

In this image released by Open Road Films, Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Rene Russo appear in a scene from the film, "Nightcrawler." (AP Photo/Open Road Films, Chuck Zlotnick)

Credit: Chuck Zlotnick

Credit: Chuck Zlotnick

In this image released by Open Road Films, Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Rene Russo appear in a scene from the film, "Nightcrawler." (AP Photo/Open Road Films, Chuck Zlotnick)
By Michael Phillips
Oct 30, 2014

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Jake Gyllenhaal lost 30 pounds for his new movie, "Nightcrawler," and the result is simple and eerie, much like the film itself. He appears to be wearing a Jake Gyllenhaal mask, all cheekbones, sallow complexion and unblinking laser-beam eyes.

His character is Lou Bloom, a freelance LA crime scene videographer. Is this man human, exactly? Lou's small talk leans heavy on the self-help axioms and self-directed pep rallies; it's as if he were an alien learning to pass for earthling by watching one too many TED Talks.

"Nightcrawler" - 3 stars

MPAA rating: R (for violence, bloody images, and language)

Running time: 1:57

Opens: Friday

mjphillips@tribune.com

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