Review of Nightmare Alley (2021) by Jamess — 08 Feb 2022

In its way, Nightmare Alley is like a two and a half hour episode of Tales From The Crypt. Over achieving protagonist gets ironic comeuppance. In fact, why HBO MAX or Hulu doesn't reboot the iconic HBO series is a mystery.

Del Toro loves period pieces. Be they set in the past or even the future, he seems most comfortable in time frames other than the present. The set direction, costuming and most of all cinematography reflect the time perfectly.

It's as though this was filmed in the '40s with today's modern technology. The detailed noir lighting effects with focused highlight and shadow are beautiful. Technicals aside, it is a essentially a rags to riches to rags story.

Bradley Cooper embodies that eras leading man look, from downtrodden drifter to dapper entertainer, he is, as Toni Collette' s character says "easy on the eyes". And of course, he has secrets.

And as noir characters have in the past, they think they're in charge, but are led astray by the beauty, charm and danger of a woman who's really in charge. Bradley Cooper does his finest work, which makes the final scene which is basically a close up on his face, come full circle storywise and impressive acting wise.

The supporting cast is stacked, with Del Toro faves like Ron Perlman and Richard Jenkins, alongside many others (such a joy to see Mary Steenburgen in a major motion picture again). Cate Blanchett is the epitome of the Hitchcock blonde, pure icy beauty.

So a beautifully designed and finely acted morality tale, which is what '40s noir thrillers were essentially.