Movie Type: Psychological Drama, Social Problem Film
Themes: Crisis of Conscience, Race Relations, Kids in Trouble
Main Cast: Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Theresa Russell, Billy Zane, A.D. Miles
Release Year: 2001
Country: US
Run Time: 98 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In this powerful and disturbing drama, Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who espouses a vile but well-articulated philosophy of anti-Semitism. Danny also has a secret -- he is a Jew, and was a top student in Hebrew school before he began to ask too many questions about the deeper implications of the teachings in the Torah and the Old Testament, leading to his expulsion. Angry and confused, Danny began to explore the philosophies of the neo-Nazi movement, which he soon came to embrace through a mixture of anger over the tragic history of the Jewish people, bitterness over his experiences in Hebrew school, and a loathing of himself. Danny soon becomes a key member of a skinhead sect led by Curtis (Billy Zane) and Lina (Theresa Russell), but while Curtis and Lina believe that the desire for cultural assimilation by many American Jews will lead to their self-destruction, Danny advocates a more direct and violent approach in dealing with the "enemy." Danny gains the admiration of his fellow skinheads for his intelligence and commitment, and wins the affection of Carla (Summer Phoenix), a group member with severe masochistic tendencies. But in time Danny's beliefs begin to shift once again, just as the truth about his background becomes known to his comrades. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, The Believer was inspired by the true story of Daniel Burros, a member of the American Nazi Party who committed suicide in the 1960s when it was revealed by the press that he was born to a Jewish family. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Inspired by actual events, critically acclaimed, and marred in controversy, actor/writer Henry Bean's ill-fated directorial debut has finally found its way to the masses courtesy of Fireworks Pictures and Trimark Home Video. Protested after initial screenings and relegated to a pay-cable debut when distributors got cold feet, that plan too was scrapped in the aftermath of 9/11, and the film finally made its belated debut on DVD and home video. Despite the film's troubled history, however, The Believer is a film that is certain to linger in viewers' minds by offering both a disturbingly fascinating subject and a stellar performance by star Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers). Gosling's fiercely impassioned performance is completely captivating: in turns quiet, introspective and truly terrifying. Likewise, Summer Phoenix offers a chilling performance as a masochistic love interest who begins to show a marked interest in the religion she so despises. Though some viewers will undoubtedly be repelled by the film's controversial subject matter, it nevertheless remains an intelligent study in faith and inner conflict as presented through the mind of a troubled youth unable to come to terms with his origins. Despite a few minor plot holes and a questionable ending, some viewers may be agitated at the film's refusal to address the reason why Gosling's character develops such an extreme aversion to the faith that had previously driven his existence. Though it does offer flashbacks to the point where he began to call his beliefs into question, the focus here is instead on the result of those changing beliefs, not on what has driven them into being. The Believer is not an easy film to take in, and the questions it raises may be objectionable and difficult to endure for the majority of viewers. If one can remain neutral enough in one's convictions to accept the film on its own cinematic terms, however, this compelling and introspective drama is sure to inspire some interesting conversation long after the credits have rolled. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Glenn Fitzgerald - Drake; Garret Dillahunt - Billings; Joel Garland - O.L.; Heather Goldenhersh - Linda; Jordan Lage - Roger Brand
Credit
Lucio Seixas - Art Director, Adrienne Stern - Casting, Roger Bobb - First Assistant Director, Henry Bean - Director, Lee Percy - Editor, Mayin Lo - Editor, Eric Sandys - Executive Producer, Joel Diamond - Composer (Music Score), Susan Block - Production Designer, Jim Denault - Cinematographer, Susan Hoffman - Producer, Christopher Roberts - Producer, Damian Canelos - Sound/Sound Designer, Dave Raphael - Sound/Sound Designer, Mark Jacobson - Screen Story, Henry Bean - Screenwriter, Ben Wolf - Additional Cinematography, Derek Yip - Production Accountant
The film follows the story of Daniel Balint, a brilliant but troublesome student at a JewishYeshiva who has become a fanatically violent Neo-Nazi in New York by his early 20s. The film plots his rise through the ranks of a fictional American Neo-Nazi party while he attempts to reconcile his religious past and ethnic heritage with his anti-Semitism.
"awe-inspiring...a late contender for one of the best films of the year - an intellectually breathtaking, profoundly moving film." Jamie Russell, BBC films[2]
"It's naturally thrilling...The Believer is astonishing" Charlotte O'Sullivan, The Independent[3]
"the film is driven by Gosling's revelatory performance... arresting, prickly, vaguely funny, even - 'difficult' in the best sense." Time Out[4]
