The Believer
July 2003 Reviewed by: Doug Schneider Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is a young, intelligent neo-Nazi who proudly wears a swastika on his shirt and spews anti-Semitic remarks whenever the opportunity arises. In the opening shots of this film we see him lifting weights in his room, and then we follow him as he tracks down an innocent Jewish teenager in the subway, stalks the boy after he gets off the train, and finally beats him up on the street. Danny is full of rage and hate, and it’s pretty clear what this story is about. The key to The Believer, though, is that Danny is Jewish.

The Believer is a low-budget feature, originally released to the theaters in 2001. Despite the fact that it won critical acclaim, the film also drew heavy criticism. The Believer is an unflinching portrayal of a racist. For many, it will be too tough to watch. The realism is chilling, more so when you learn that The Believer is adapted from the true story of an American Nazi Party leader in the 1960s.

There’s good reason to compare The Believer to 1998’s American History X. Both are only average films, weakened by wandering plots, but become explosive because of their stars. American History X starred Edward Norton; The Believer stars Ryan Gosling. The characters they portray are not stupid or insane -- this isn’t simple-headed right and wrong that we see so often in the movies and media today. In fact, the scariest moments of both films come when these articulate, intelligent, and manipulative men speak, making it easy to see how they can influence others. In fact, I suspect that people who share their beliefs will nod in agreement when they hear some of the dialogue, while others will shudder in disbelief and disgust. Anyway you look at it, it’s certainly powerful and controversial.

But why does Brian really harbor so much hatred and resentment? His situation is a contradiction, but that’s what helps to make him so compelling. Flashbacks to Brian’s youth are used throughout the film and show him as a bright, outspoken student -- feverishly well-read and ready to debate with his rabbis at every turn. At one point a fellow student asks him if he even believes in God. He replies, "I’m the only one who does believe." There’s a crucial moment when Brian and a group of thugs are in the midst of vandalizing a synagogue. Midway through the destruction Brian’s mood changes to disgust -- he realizes that although his neo-Nazi cohorts are keen to destroy something, they have no idea why they’re doing it. As a result, he looks down at their ignorance, finally unleashing, "If you really hate something, you study it, so you know why you hate it." The point is lost on them -- and Brian knows it.

The Believer never really answers why Brian is the way he is, and I’m glad for that. Issues like these are too complex to wrap-up in a couple of hours, or with a few dozen words in a monologue. Leave that to the Hollywood-type films that sugarcoat an ending. The Believer goes just far enough without preaching or offering superficial excuses.

Being a low-budget release, the film has a so-so look, with a decidedly grainy appearance in a number of scenes -- not likely for effect, but as a result of the cost. The transfer from film to DVD is fairly good, though, but is brought down a tad with only mediocre vibrancy and a washed-out look at times. The sound quality is a little better, with the 5.1 mix decidedly superior to the two-channel mix that’s also included. Although surround effects are basically absent, the 5.1 mix is much cleaner and clearer and that helps to make the dialogue easy to discern.

The extra features are pretty good for a small release like this -- probably because of the critical buzz and the overall quality of the film. I suspect word of mouth will make this a popular rental item. Included are a video interview with director Henry Bean; an "Anatomy of a Scene" feature from the Sundance Channel; the theatrical trailer; and play-along-with-the-film commentary, again from Bean.

The Believer is obviously not lightweight entertainment. It’s controversial, dynamic, and likely to be a difficult film for some to watch. It isn’t for everyone. Still, I give it a high recommendation for people who like to watch thought-provoking movies and discuss them at length afterwards. You won’t quickly forget it.

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