Nightwatch
***1/2 out of **** (A-)
Definitely worth the extra mile. Nightwatch is one of the most tense, well made horror films that I've seen, all on account of simply brilliant direction.
The premise (creepy setting, framed for murder, serial killer, obsessed detective) has been used thousands of times before, but I don't think I can remember it being scripted and crafted as well as in Nightwatch. Each scene is memorable, each character is at least partially developed (my favorite is the old night watchman who shows Martin the ropes), and the levels of suspense reached by Nightwatch can rival that of Halloween, Psycho, and The Exorcist.
Will Nightwatch go down in history as one of the true shockers of the century (joining the aforementioned titles)? Probably not, but if, by some chance it did, you wouldn't see me complaining.
McGregor delivers a decent performance, though his character doesn;t work as well as some others. Patricia Arquette gives the most steady performance, Josh Brolin gets most of the good dialogue, and Nick Nolte is given the best character. There are several supporting actors that pop up, serve their purpose efficiently, and then disappear for most of the movie. But, like the plot, characters are there merely there to help the director raise the suspense meter.
Ole Something chooses each of his character angles with delicate care, and you could almost see the first time American director piecing together this movie with meticulous detail in the editing room. But, for some odd reason, the finished product came out as if it built suspense with ease, and without effort. That's the trademark of a truly great director. Please, let us give this man some more work!