A Reel Review: NIGHTMARE ALLEY

Director Guillermo del Toro has built a reputation as a monster-movie director, with PAN’S LABYRINTH (2006), PACIFIC RIM (2013), and his Best Picture-winning THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017) some of his best examples. But in all those of creature-features lays one of del Toro’s favorite movie-making elements, the broken character; people who have been chewed up and spit out by the world. Such is the primary theme for his newest film, NIGHTMARE ALLEY. 

 

In 1941 with WWII pending, Stanton (Bradley Cooper), a down-on-his-luck drifter, finds work at a carnival run by Clem (Willem Dafoe). There, he befriends fortune teller Zeena (Toni Colette), and her drunken husband Pete (David Strathairn)…who teaches him their tricks to perform mentalism. 

 

Based on the 1946 novel of the same name (and the 1947 film version), NIGHTMARE ALLEY is a movie of two distinct parts. The first part sees Stanton learning the art of mind-reading; using tricks and observation to wow the crowds and eager paying customers. He also starts a love affair with fellow “carnie” Molly (Rooney Mara), much to the disapproval of her long-time guardian Bruno (Ron Perlman). 

 

The second half sees Stanton and Molly leave the carnival for Chicago, where they refine and perform their act for the wealthy. With the help of Dr. Ritter (Cate Blanchett), a psychologist, Stanton uses her inside knowledge on her patients to convince mourning millionaires that he is contact with their departed loved ones. 

 

All this, plus Stanton’s mysterious past involving his parents, is a lot packed into one film. For the most part it all works, but the second half does not work as well as the first. The film loses a lot of its intrigue and mystery once it leaves the carnival grounds behind, along with any streamlining…and the second half becomes a near confusing mess. As necessary as the psychologist may be, her motivations are odd, never very well defined, and takes the movie off the rails one too many times. 

 

Guillermo del Toro is working on themes of people running from their past and healing, and his version of NIGHTMARE ALLEY is more of character study than a horror or creature-feature. Characters bond and clash well, and the script is very tight. The set-design of the environments, from the carnival to the lush offices, is outstanding. And overall the film looks gorgeous. The film has very little action and often slips into dullness. 

 

The cast is excellent. Bradley Cooper puts in one of his best performances, and he is matched well with Rooney Mara. Willem Dafoe chews the scenery like cotton candy, and Cate Blanchett steals the show. 

 

NIGHTMARE ALLEY sticks very close to the source material, and anyone who has seen the 1947 film or read the book won’t be shocked by the ending. But…for newcomers, where Stanton winds up is telegraphed very early. NIGHTMARE ALLEY feels like two different movies, with one being much better than the other, and that imbalance knocks this one down a few tent-pegs. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it