Review of The Believer (2001) by Sarah . — 06 Dec 2009

This is a smarter movie than American History X. It features just as explosive of a performance from the lead, but its not jsut explosive, Ryan Gosling's character is also torn, a paradox within himself. He is a Jewish Nazi, and knowing all there is to know about Jews makes him hate them so much more. Understanding their weaknesses and disparity of their religion, fuels his hate more than the blind hatred most nazis would carry out. The speeches he gives on Judaism are profound and deep. American History X is the movie for the thug Nazi to watch, this is the movie for the intellectual hater.

Ryan Gosling gives an extraordinary performance, and I have to wonder where he's been. Why did he not get more challenging roles after this? Looks maybe? He plays the torn Danny with such belief, alternating between devout intense hatred, and self-loathing and regret. He is a walking contradiction in every sense of the word, and wants to kill a jew just to prove to himself that he is who he thinks he is. All the hatred he spouts and directs at the jewish people is actually at himself, it is all self-depricating. He hates himself so much, it causes a recklessness that can not be attained otherwise.

The ending is as profound as the rest of the movie, and if you're not able to keep up with the philosophical ponderings, then the ending will leave you confused. This movie is all about Danny, as he alternates between extreme respect, and devout hatred. Between anger and intellect, and can the two be one?