Nightingale

Nightingale from 2014 is a drama-thriller film directed by Elliott Lester and written by Frederick Mensch. The film stars David Oyelowo in a powerful solo performance, which dominates the entire picture.

The story is centered around Peter Snowden (David Oyelowo), a military veteran and a recluse who lives alone in his house, without any friends or connections to the outside world. His only companion is an old stuffed toy, which he carries around and talks to as if it was a real person.

Peter has had a troubled past, and it is revealed through his monologues that his life has been shaped by personal tragedies, failed relationships, and mental illness. As the film progresses, we see him slowly unraveling under the weight of his inner demons.

The film starts with Peter's birthday party, which he has organized for himself. He has decorated his house with balloons, set up a colorful collection of party hats, and even baked a cake. However, it soon becomes apparent that he has no actual guests, and he is feeling lonely and isolated.

As the day progresses, we see Peter becoming more and more distraught, until he finally snaps and does something terrible. From that point on, the film becomes a character study of a lone man who is trapped in his own misery, and the tragic consequences that stem from his actions.

David Oyelowo delivers a captivating performance in this film, and his acting skills are on full display throughout. It is impressive how he manages to carry the entire movie on his shoulders, with no other actors in the picture to bounce off of. His portrayal of Peter is honest and vulnerable, and he manages to bring depth and complexity to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional stereotype.

Barlow Jacobs and Heather Storm also make brief appearances in the film, playing the roles of Peter's boss and his ex-girlfriend, respectively. While their characters are not fully fleshed out, they provide some much-needed context to Peter's past, and their interactions with him shed some light on his motivations and inner workings.

The film is shot in a single location, which is Peter's house, and the camera follows him closely throughout. This creates an intense and claustrophobic atmosphere, which mirrors Peter's own sense of entrapment. The cinematography is excellent, and the use of light and shadow adds to the film's ominous and foreboding tone.

The script is also a strong point of the film, as it manages to delve deep into Peter's psyche and explore his innermost thoughts and desires. The dialogue is well-written, and David Oyelowo's delivery is excellent, making each line feel like a natural extension of the character's persona.

Overall, Nightingale from 2014 is a powerful and intense film, driven by David Oyelowo's incredible performance. It is a character study that manages to explore the complexities of mental illness and the human psyche, while also providing an engaging and well-written narrative. While it may not be a film for everyone, it is certainly a bold and daring work that deserves to be seen.