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"Nightmare Alley", 2021 or '22

67.164.150.58

free.ranger

This is right down Guillermo Del Toro's Alley, the director of "Pan's Labyrinth" and "The Shape of Water", both with mythical/creepy undertones/overtones. Same for this newer film, complete with great cinematography and moody scenes.

It's a bit slow in development, but leads to a predicted ending. What isn't predicted is the intensity of the ending. Bradley Cooper is the main guy chasing his karma, but also has Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, etc. Blanchett plays the coldest woman you'd never hope to meet. Nobody does frigid like her.

Cooper's looks are actually a feature of his character development here. He plays Stanley Carlisle, a carnie con man who reaches a little too far with his act. The period of play is post WW1 and pre-WW2; not a swell time in the world. Del Toro's film is a remake of the original 1947 film starring Tyrone Power, which I have not seen, but it couldn't be darker than Del Toro's twist.

It's on HBO, and possibly other venues. I recommend it, but only one time. You won't like the characters or the story.

Follow Ups:

RE: "Nightmare Alley", 2021 or '22 - Mike B. 17:00:12 02/19/22 (0)
I liked it also. Great period piece with excellent acting.
I might try... - Victor Khomenko 07:58:01 02/17/22 (0)
...twisting my wife's arm into seeing it. We recently watched the original for the second time, so that memory is still very fresh.
Saw it twice. The little lady wanted to see it as Cate Blanchett! & Toni Colette are in it and, well - Road Warrior 16:42:24 02/16/22 (0)
that was that. Enjoyed it as much, if not more, than the first go round. That doesn't mean I love it tho. Just liked it 1 more. The ending was predictable and, oddly, flat. Still, the atmosphere Del Toro conjured up, those ungodly Art Deco sets in the third act, and the acting from top to bottom made this one at least a keeper.
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