Nightmare Alley (2021)

I have been anticipating Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of this title since watching the 1947 version last year. As in that earlier film, the main character, here played by Bradley Cooper, is a man who stumbles into a carnival job but has higher aspirations. I had been apprehensive toward Cooper carrying on the role, which were somewhat unfounded though he just wasn’t capable of really closing the the ending. This version has del Toro’s amazing visuals and incredible period details with a stellar cast that includes Cate Blanchett, David Strathairn, Willem Dafoe, and Toni Collette among countless others. Unfortunately it also adds almost 40 extra, almost all unnecessary, minutes to the story, dragging many of the parts on for way too long. 

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture; Best Cinematography; Best Costume Design; Best Production Design