Ticketworthy - Primetime

There is nothing more eye-catching than drama based in reality. As much as the average viewer loves to digest fictional content on a weekly basis, at least as they did during the prime of episodic television, that did not diminish the impact of the coinciding reality programming. Being able to witness the dramatic reality of society unfold in the comfort of our own homes is a concept that has been attempted by a multitude of groups and broadcasters in many different ways since the dawn of telecasting. To Catch a Predator (2004-2007), for instance, refused to shy away from the malicious side of humanity. Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime demonstrates this expertly. The show, however, continues to be the subject of great controversy. There has been intense debate regarding the integrity of the program and whether it achieved proper vindication. Primetime approaches these controversies in an abstract and purposefully indeterminate manner. This allows the viewer to contemplate their own perspective, instead of being morally hand-held. This approach, however, does not disregard the atrocities committed against the youth by the predators the TV show was designed to catch. If anything, its refusal to shy away from such heinous acts is a welcomed "breath of fresh air" in the modern day.

Despite the story depicting a multitude of moving parts, it semi-centralizes itself on the story of Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson), the host of To Catch a Predator. The character is presented in the narrative as almost larger than life itself, driven by his devotion to bringing justice on full display for the world to see. Despite the purpose of the program appearing to be noble, it is what is not shown on television that creates a dilemma regarding justice and virtue. Primetime does not tell the viewer what to think of the subject matter. The characters are all incredibly complex in an almost satirical way; their motivations are driven by a sense of devotion to accomplishment and advancement. For example, one of the main concerns of Hansen is to promote his show to the point that it becomes the loudest, most popular version of itself it can be. This similar purpose is shown through the other characters, such as producer Andie Bender (Merritt Wever) and actor Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo). These characters, all contributing to the same production, are each motivated in vastly different ways. Some include a nearly divine purpose of “serving justice” and others are based in the ruthlessness of competing in the entertainment industry. All these goals are presented within the characters marvelously, demonstrating how individuals can be blinded by ambitions to the point that the fully functioning aspects of reality around us are negated.

The characters shown throughout the story are not meant to be identical copies of their real-life counterparts, but instead the writing and acting focus on the personalities and mentalities of its figures on an entirely different level than that of a stereotypical biopic. Simply put, this is another fantastic resume entry for Robert Pattinson, as he delivers the unhinged performance of a lifetime. That is not to understate Skyler Gisondo’s performance. Gisondo as Dan Plumb embodies everything that is the purpose of being an actor in his field. Someone looking for their “next big break” as they navigate the cruelty that this industry exhibits. Primetime chooses to place Plumb in between the wildly compulsive Hansen and the avarice of Andie Bender, not allowing his purpose as a character to take a backseat. These performances feel, on one hand, incredibly grounded, but at the same time out of this world. The intensity on display by Pattinson and the uncertainty in Gisondo’s portrayal presents the near-perfect dynamic between volatility and unpredictability. Along with the mesmerizing practical visuals, practicing techniques involving color theory and mind-boggling cinematography, the viewer cannot help but be immersed in the story and its characters.

It is extremely difficult to confine this film to simply one genre, as it contains a multitude of thematic imagery and very skillfully executed portrayals of the people within its story to present themes of honor, dignity, spectacle, and aspiration. This movie also benefits greatly from the “inspired by true events” approach. This allows for events to be seen historically, while also presenting the most engaging moments as regarding the personal humanity and morality of each character and their determinative personalities. The reality of this story also expertly displays the harsh reality of certain hidden figures within our society and their perverted intentions with innocence. Primetime does not purely focus its efforts on retelling an already discoverable story, but rather to explore the hidden elements of psychology and individual success within its characters. 

Overall, Primetime is definitely must-see. The performances, cinematography, and gripping plot are something that almost scars its audience. It refuses to waste any of its runtime meandering over the topics of unimaginable controversy, choosing to approach these matters in a goosebump-inducing and uneasy manner that left me feeling anxious in the best way possible. This film is a narrative that will stick with you for years to come, as we all witness the depraved aspects of authority and society from both historical and forthcoming lenses.