To be honest, lanli didn't expect that the script Andy brought was "Night Walker"!
"Night Walker" is a screenplay written by the famous screenwriter Dan Gilroy himself. He has written screenplays of "iron fist" and "spy 4". He is not a top screenwriter, but has his own unique dark style. When he learned that there is a real career of Night Walker in Los Angeles, he became interested, So I started to write this story.
The film tells the story of a young man who becomes a Night Walker by accident and goes step by step into the abyss of darkness. He becomes a participant and even a criminal from an onlooker and recorder. Finally, he is completely integrated with the night and degenerates completely. He does not break the means for the sake of news and interests.
The whole movie is full of black crime style, quite a sense of not being mad and not surviving.
The only regret is that the second half of the film is a bit weak, and it has not been able to further sublimate from the position of Night Walker to the reflection of the whole industry and even culture; On the contrary, it is trapped in a small pattern, focusing all the focus on the hero, which also makes the work return from "industry discussion" to "role biography", weakening the shock of the whole film. No one can go any further.
But no doubt, this is still one of the films that Langley likes very much.
In the last life, as a student of journalism, lanli always had a preference for works reflecting the news industry. Especially now, the culture of entertainment to death makes the uncrowned kings step down from the altar. Works like "Night Walker" are just a wake-up call to reality, and he can't put it down.
In this life, as a Hollywood actor, lanli has gradually become a victim and a prey of night walkers, which makes him feel more and more deeply. Especially after the paparazzi incident three weeks ago and the cold treatment of subsequent media reporters, it is absolutely appropriate to present this work.
Objectively speaking, "Night Walker" is not Langley's favorite reporter movie.
In the final analysis, before he really became a journalist, he had already suffered from high paraplegia and ended his career as a journalist. Therefore, he still has some good illusions and lofty ideals about the journalism industry, and works with positive energy like "focus" and "Washington Post" can arouse more resonance.
But it is undeniable that this work can definitely be in the top five of the media reporter related films.
In his last life, Dan Gilroy hesitated and decided to take over the guide tube himself, so "Night Walker" became his first directing work.
After it was released, it was well received, with 76% of the media's comprehensive evaluation and 95% of the rotten tomato fresh index, with an average score of 8.2. At the same time, it was also a sudden rise in the award season, which can be said to be a masterpiece of consensus.
At this moment, Andy chose this work, obviously not aimless.
First of all, after the "pop drummer", lanli has returned to the track of performance. He certainly hopes to challenge more difficult roles, and "Night Walker" is indeed a unique choice for the sword to walk on the edge, because the hero can not be regarded as decent, but should be regarded as a good and evil role, wandering in the gray area.
So far, most of lanli's characters are mainly positive characters, and "pop drummer" is the first time to try a character that is not pleasant; If you can try the role of "Night Walker", which is both good and evil, it is definitely an attempt to broaden the stage, and the difficulty of the role is also top-notch, so Lan Li has no reason to refuse.
Secondly, not long ago, the paparazzi besieged lanli. Although he didn't say much on the surface, deep down in his heart, Andy has been holding his breath.
In Andy's opinion, Langley is a very pure, very professional and very simple actor who devotes himself to the performance. In private, there is not much demand or news, but the paparazzi is still reluctant to let him go. It really made Andy angry.
These paparazzi need a lesson“ So the Night Walker appeared.
Lan Li read the script seriously, but he began to think about whether he should play in the work.
To be honest, he's very excited now.
Louis bloom, the hero of "Night Walker", is definitely one of the most interesting and unique reporter roles on the big screen, with sharp edges and prominent colors.
At the beginning of the story, Louis is a gangster who has nothing to do. Although he hopes to find a job, he still idles around all day. By chance, he witnessed the scene of a photographer working. He realized that he could do one more job. Then he bought photographic equipment and arrived at the scene of the crime by eavesdropping on the police radio, Then the shooting materials are given to the news column group in exchange for remuneration.
Gradually, ordinary car accidents or fire scenes can no longer satisfy Louis' appetite. He needs more bloody, more powerful and more eye-catching news scenes. In order to get precious first-hand information, Louis even "does it himself".
Just from the description, we can see that this is a very dark character.
He had been swimming in the dark, like nocturnal animals, such as hyenas; But gradually, this hyena is not satisfied with swimming around. He needs more blood, he needs blood and killing, so step by step, he becomes a killer of hunting - evolution or degeneration.
On the whole, the change level of the characters is not obvious, but it is very delicate. From crazy to crazy, that kind of cold but bloody violent change is like a straight fist, which smashes hard at every audience. That kind of direct impact is cruel enough to make the blood lose its temperature.
Just imagine in your mind, you can outline the edges and outlines of the characters, and even describe the light steps of the characters in the night, like hyenas waiting for more blood and killing.
What's more, it's a negative role.
God knows how eager Langley is to play a negative role. He is not necessarily a villain, but a marginal figure in the gray area; It's not to break the image of the actor, but to break the self imprisonment and challenge the more complex and changeable roles, which is also an important reason why lanli became an actor.
Andy is right.
When Lan Li saw the role, he had no way to refuse it. In all aspects, it was a crazy role for him. He wanted the whole person to jump on it and take the script for himself. Now he can't wait to start thinking about how to interpret it and how to present it.
I have to admit that this time, Andy's vision is absolutely unique and in place, accurately grasping the mentality and needs of lanli. As a broker, this is undoubtedly the most important trait; What's more, Andy is also trying to mediate with universal pictures for lanli's film payment, which highlights his value more and more.
Langley had no reason to refuse.
But Langley had to refuse.
It's not that the script is not good enough, it's because of friends.
In the last life, "Night Walker" was played by Jack Gyllenhaal.
In fact, in 2010 and 2011, Jack tried to challenge commercial films, among which works such as "Prince of Persia: the blade of time", "love and elixir" and "source code" are representatives. He also hopes to broaden his play and make his career to a higher level.
But unfortunately, all three works suffered box office losses, which also made Jack frustrated, completely cut off the idea of commercial film, but devoted himself to performance research.
At the beginning of last year, Langley and Jack met at the Berlin Film Festival, which happened on this special node. Therefore, Jack's love and admiration for the movie "detached" comes from Langley's professional attitude towards performance and Tony kayer's artistic spirit.
This year, Jack has appeared in two works, "old enemy" and "prisoner". It is obvious that his understanding and exploration of performance are gradually deepening, and he has summed up his own style, which is an important step on the actor's road. The style of the two works tends to be a little gloomy and dark. It is obvious that Jack has his own unique interpretation of those negative characters.
"Night Walker" is in this case, completed by Jack deduction - if in accordance with the historical track of development.
In lanli's personal view, after "Brokeback Mountain", jack also fell into a short period of confusion. There were deviations in his exploration of acting skills and self positioning. It was not until "old enemy" and "prisoner" that Jack returned to the track, and "Night Walker" was undoubtedly Jack's peak.
Even in 2018, Langley still thinks "Night Walker" is Jack's best work.
In order to play the role of Louis, Jack is really possessed, and the whole person is integrated with the role, not only completely living in the way of Night Walker; But also like Robert De Niro in the "taxi driver" in general, facing himself in the mirror completely blurred the boundaries between reality and fantasy, also like Matthew McConnell in the "Dallas buyers club" in general, emaciated like a rubber man.
It can be felt that Jack becomes Louis. His performance endows the character with the blood, cunning and poison of hyenas; At the same time, it has the loneliness and desolation of walking alone in the dark. Every move makes people shudder, revealing a cold and frightening temperament.
This trait not only made Louis the character, but also made the movie "Night Walker".
As mentioned before, the second half of the film has not been further sublimated, which makes the final theme return to Louis and become a character biography. It is a great pity for the completion of the film; But for Jack, it's just like a fish in water.
There is no doubt that Jack has given Louis the soul, which is a crucial breakthrough.
As Jack's good friend, Langley has no way to snatch the role from him.