Ryan Gosling does an excellent job as a self-loathing Jew who turns into a Neo Nazi. The first two thirds of the film is ok but it totally loses its way in the final third. When he misses with the rifle and the other bloke discovers he is Jewish they get into a fight and he shoots him, this is never mentioned again. While desecrating the Synagogue he protects the roll and shows amazing knowledge of the writings, really, in front of fascist thugs. The last part just becomes incoherent and messy, the relationship with the girl just does not pan out, the right-wing family with Billy Zane and Theresa Russell just does not make much sense. Not the worst film I have watched but rather poor last third.
Review of The Believer
