The Believer (2002)

You won't be disappointed!

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Just perfect...

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Ryan Gosling is the star of this film, by which i mean that all other roles pale by comparison, although Theresa Russell plays her part very well.Gosling is a Jew. And a Nazi. Hmmm...This film is clever. The central idea here is that the way the Jews look at non-Jews could be looked at in the same way that Nazis viewed Jews. They are 'other'. There is an uncomfortable paradox there, and the film is exploring this.Obviously the big political and philosophical themes are important, and big issues feature big (being, as they are, big). But the thing that sticks out most for me is the performance of Ryan Gosling.His character Danny Balint, is in conflict. With himself. With Judaism. With the world. He is a tortured and confused young man, trying to make sense of a world that makes no sense.He is also super-bright, and a violent thug. A very scary combination.Obviously, a great actor (for that is what Gosling is) can do nothing without a superb script and fab direction. A lot of thought has gone into this film. Gosling manages to convince us that he is a devout Jew, on the one hand, and terminally ashamed of this on the other.This film is genuinely delicious. But one helping is enough. This is not powder-puff politics, and is not the kind of film you rewind immediately and watch again. This is disturbing stuff, brave and provocative. How will Danny's conflicts resolve themselves?Watch it to find out - you will not regret it.

Loosely based on a real person, Ryan Gosling plays a right-wing Nazi who is actually Jewish. While he spends his time hating Jews and joining a Jew-hating group, he struggles his internal conflict. On the one hand he has a lot of respect to his religion and culture, on the other hand he hates it and his people. While many of the people in the group are just ignorant thugs, he is obviously one of the most intellectual people in the group.Very interesting subject (even more when you know it's actually (loosely) based on a real person) which raises some interesting questions.Ryan Gosling is very good in one of the earliest roles. While the movie is interesting, it shows the lack of budget and lack of experience by a first time director. The script itself could have also use some polishing and I didn't like the cinematography which uses close-ups way too often.Still, it's an interesting story with good points, good questions and good acting by Gosling - and the fact that I saw it at least 3 times by now proves something too.

This is definitely a low budget film to say the least. It feels very "art school" which did not influence my rating but I found it interesting to point out seeing that the lead actor is now an A lister. There are not special effects or such which puts more meaning on the roles of the cast to carry the film and keep the viewers interest which it most certainly does. If you are looking for a romantic, dreamy film because you have seen Ryan Gosling in films such as The Notebook then this is not the movie for you. If you enjoyed films such as American History X or Primal Fear then you will find this enjoyable and interesting.

This movie doesn't bring much thought to the table when it comes to religion, beliefs, racism, intolerance and facts. A Jew is troubled by an event of his past and starts exploring Neo-Nazi ideology... He then discovers that it's all bullshit and regrets but cannot admit it and he cannot commit to stop at once... He's not an idiot but is acting like one and surrounds himself with narrow minded people that can't even spell their own name...Sounds like American History X to me, only with much less intensity. There are some good parts about it, but I found it was mostly a waste of time.