Review of The Believer (2001) by Iain R — 16 Jul 2011

Ryan Gosling's searing star-making breakout performance dominates this truly disturbing drama, it concerns a young Jewish man, named Danny Balint whose reasoning is warped by his own self-hated, he has chosen to become a neo-Nazi skinhead who has no qualms about beating the hell out of a Jewish kid or planting a bomb in a synagogue, Balint is increasingly becoming more and more twisted, his behavior comes from his own religious education, and his rebellion again the Torah, which has him caught in a web of moral contradictions.

Gosling is nothing short of phenomenal, his conflicted antihero will have you absolutely riveted, his character's self-loathing and rage jumps right at you from the screen, it is a unforgettable acting tour-de-force.

Astute direction by Harry Bean in his feature debut, and superlative supporting performances by Summer Phoenix, Theresa Russell, Billy Zane, A.D. Miles, Glenn Fitzgerald and Garret Dillahunt. A brilliant original screenplay by Harry Bean & Mark Jacobson, filmed on location in New York City, superbly photographed by cinematographer Jim Denault.

This remarkably emotional and hard-hitting motion picture won the 2001 jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Highly Recommended.