‘Primetime’ Review: Robert Pattinson Is Delightfully Gonzo in Searing Exploitation Screed

"Primetime" is a film that will likely provoke strong reactions from its audience. The movie tackles Bush-era hypocrisies with fervor and operatic intensity, eliciting either passionate enthusiasm or a sense of being overwhelmed. In this review, the writer finds themselves in the latter camp, appreciating the film's craft and conviction despite not fully connecting with it. However, the writer does acknowledge the movie's merits, particularly the stellar performance by Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen.

The film amplifies and distorts a familiar feeling into exaggerated extremes, creating a Wagnerian assault that is both intense and unsettling. It paints a vivid picture of American grotesquery, starting with the trail left behind by a single journalist, Chris Hansen, who is portrayed as a media monster. In Pattinson's hands, this self-absorbed figure becomes a grotesque and terrifying character, full of envy and ambition masked as righteousness.

Pattinson's performance is a standout, with his ability to express a wide range of emotions in a short span of time being particularly impressive. The film adopts a distinctive visual style, with vibrant colors, warped imagery, and an old-school aspect ratio, which creates a dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of early 2000s broadcast television. This deliberate aesthetic choice contributes to the overall sense of unease and intensity throughout the movie.

The narrative structure is straightforward, with Hansen posing a question at the end of each broadcast that serves as the film's moral and thematic framework. This approach ensures that the film's central theme remains constant, leaving little room for ambiguity or deviation. However, the film ultimately falls short of delivering any real surprises or fresh perspectives, opting instead for a relentless barrage of intensity and spectacle.

Despite its shortcomings, "Primetime" remains an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the media landscape, particularly in the context of the Bush-era. The film's climax, set against the backdrop of a militarized police department and a local D.A., effectively captures the sense of public shame and moral decay that pervades the narrative.

Ultimately, "Primetime" is a bold and ambitious film that pushes the boundaries of the exploitation genre, delivering a raw and unfiltered look at the dark side of media manipulation.