I watched the original first so I see what this was trying to do. It just didn’t need any of what Hollywood brought to it. The original is sparse, simple, restrained. No music. No setting telling the audience when or where the story takes place. Close ups of the actor and phone calls…that’s most of what we get. The time gets later, people go home…we’re in the dark with the character. His face lit by screens. Is this even real or is it all in his head? Could be purgatory. Is this all just his angst playing out? His guilt?

The remake takes away that artistry and makes it a movie. Actors talk like they’re in a movie. The setting, sound, and camera are very standard for a movie.

I guess the director made some choices to set it in Los Angeles while it’s on fire. And the topic of police shootings. Those are background elements. I guess the fire could be a metaphorical choice.

I’m not sure if Jake has the acting chops to really confront the struggle…but the director didn’t ask him to. He’s an actor and you never stop forgetting he’s acting even for any second he’s ever been on screen.