Doomtomylo
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Mathilde the Guild
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Curt
Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.
SnoopyStyle
Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is angry. He questions his Jewish heritage and challenges his faith. The movie starts with him bullying a Jewish boy on the subway in New York. He joins a small group of fascists led by Curtis Zampf (Billy Zane) and Lina Moebius (Theresa Russell). Danny pushes for the group to start killing Jews. Carla Moebius (Summer Phoenix) finds him fascinating. Curtis doesn't want to go down that road again while Lina finds it appealing for their cause even if she doesn't believe in it. Reporter Guy Danielsen is writing about the right wing movement. Danny joins up with others as his star rises in the movement.This is a character study of anger and self-hatred. Ryan Gosling is brilliantly unbalanced as he challenges religious authority. He's also superficially very convincing in his insane rants. More than anything, he's very charismatic. It is a bone chilling performance.
Donald Buehler
If you are looking for a movie to challenge you intellectually and spiritually - this is it. Ryan Gosling is outstanding in the role of Danny - a Jewish man who challenged Jewish doctrine from an early age - who later turns to the American Nazi movement to find an outlet for his beliefs. But this is a multi-layered film with multiple messages. While he brilliantly espouses the Nazi mythology about Jews (check out the dialogue/rant in the restaurant with the reporter) he is torn by the (what he believes to be) need for the Jewish people to be victimized. (way too deep for me)This movie motivates you to learn more about Jewry and the religion (much like Danny's anti- semitic girl friend). Especially the Jewish belief in "nothingness." A quick Google search on the subject was not very helpful.But since this is a movie review, this movie is superb. I rarely give movies a "9" but this one deserves it. While we are repelled by Ryan Gosling - his beliefs, speech, attitudes AND actions, we are fascinated by the conflict in him which is just below the surface. The flashbacks to his childhood as a student of the Torah are enlightening - and the memories of the holocaust survivors plays on his mind - and shapes his actions. The connection to the past as Nazi atrocities (one in particular) play on Danny, until the dramatic climax in the closing scene.While not necessarily resolving anything, the closing scene is perfect - for the movie and for our thoughts. I highly recommend this movie - hang in there past the disgusting Nazi stuff - it is worth it.
hyperzephyrian
2001's The Believer, Ryan Gosling's Film Debut, Gosling portrays Danny Balint. A young Jewish man who is struggling to understand Judaism, while developing Anti-Semetic views towards the World. Though based on real-life accounts of Ku Klux Klan Member Daniel Burros, who was outed as a Jew, in a News article, which later caused him to take his own life on the day the article was released, in October 1965, the film takes place in the Present Day, with a number of flashbacks to Danny's time in a Jewish School, as a young teen.A powerful, dark, extremely controversial, and resonating film, which garnered almost no recognition, though the performance from Gosling was spectacular. This film far exceeded my expectations.7.7/10
LeonLouisRicci
Somewhat unbelievable story of a Jewish rebel. The portrayal of the protagonist as a Neo-Nazi is unconvincing in parts, mostly in his, what seems artificial, love of Torah and the religion he seems to respect but not embrace and intellectually can not submit.These affectionate displays and attachment to the doctrine and dogma are delivered in a rather teleprompter mode as if he is reciting and not truly reflecting on the religious teaching. What is convincing is his disdain and hatred for the pious and superior PEOPLE who practice the rituals and refuse to take a demonstrable stand against its own suffering.What is needed here for the film to be totally successful is the believability of both sides of his inner conflict. His respect for the artifacts and tradition come across as lip service, but his overwhelming overtures and monologues against the Jews come from a deep place and the superficial submission he witnesses from his his fellow clansman are riveting.
