Guillermo del Toro is a busy man at the moment, with his Cabinet of Curiosities and Pinocchio series still to come this year. But was it worth him investing time into Nightmare Alley? Just about...
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette
Running time: 150 minutes
Welcome to the exotic and fantastical world of carnival and trickery. Roll up, roll up and feast your eyes on sights no one in the world has seen before. Then gaze below the surface as the curtain is lifted and its seedy underbelly is laid open to the world.
Guillermo del Toro’s new film Nightmare Alley is stylistically beautiful and mesmerising. Irresistibly, it reminds me of the television series Carnivàle (2003-2005) in its depiction of fairground life, yet there is something very ‘del Toro’ about it. The characters are weird and wonderfully disturbing, yet still lovable. There is Molly the electric girl, and Bruno, the strongest man in the world. The Major, the smallest person ever to be seen and Madam Zeena who can read your mind and tell you your future. But is this place that they inhabit truly so magical? Or is there a darker side, one defined by abuse and manipulation and greed?
Into this world stumbles Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper), a drifter running from some deep, dark past. When the carny folk take him in and let him work with them, his life becomes entangled with theirs - allowing Carlisle to not only find out their secrets, but also find an ambition and talent he didn’t know he had. When he meets the mysterious and beautiful Dr Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), an opportunity presents itself that he can’t resist, but will his artful guile be enough to carry him through, or will it destroy him?
Nightmare Alley is based on the pulp fiction novel by William Lindsay Graham, re-envisioned with a more modern sensibility. The cast is incredibly strong with some big names taking on quite small parts, like Tim Blake Nelson and Ron Perlman.
It is difficult to know where del Toro might take the story and where the characters might end up
It must be said that Bradley Cooper is quite astounding in the role of Stan. From watching some of his previous films, I wouldn’t necessarily have expected the depth and breadth of his performance. In this role, he really stretches himself, and I found that even when the storytelling stalls, Cooper is still arresting in his portrayal. It was because of him and Cate Blanchett that I wanted to stay in for the ride. Blanchett never seems to make a wrong move in anything she does, and it does seem like she was born for this role - it suits her so well. There is always a sense that you are watching a master at work when Blanchett steps in front of the camera, and here is no different.
Unfortunately, despite the strong cast, there does seem to be something missing. Throughout, it is difficult to know where del Toro might take the story and where the characters might end up, which is definitely not a bad thing. But as the film unfolds, and the sense of expectation builds, the reality of what we are left with at the end simply doesn't match up with what is initially promised, and dissatisfaction leaves a slightly bland taste in the mouth.
Did you know? This is Ron Perlman's seventh collaboration with director Guillermo del Toro. Pinocchio (2022) will be their eighth.
Nightmare Alley is now in cinemas
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