Top Rental Pick-British Film NIGHTINGALE starring David Oyelowo

NIGHTINGALE is the powerful character study of obsession, unrequited love and pent up emotional abuse and self-loathing.  British dir. Elliot Lester (BLITZ, INTERSTELLAR) does an incredible job of  impacting the screen with poignancy and dialogue within a limited set and a solo actor.   The lone actor is David Oyelowo (b. Britian) known for his Golden Globe winning roles as MLK in SELMA and for his role in THE BUTLER.  Oyelowo plays Peter Snowden, a war vet who is at odds with his life, his family, work and obsessively consumed with reconnecting with his former lover, David, whom he served with in the military. David informed Peter he was married with children thought Peter chose not to believe him.  Peter is now living with his mother a religious zealot who condemns her son's sexual orientation as blasphemous.  The entire gripping conversations are one-sided.  Peter bickers bitterly with his mother, sister & co-worker.  He pleads with Gloria, David's wife to allow them to speak on the phone. We watch Peter's downward spiral in alcoholic binges, destructive rage and his wallow in self-pity.  His pleadings with Gloria escalate into hostile rants followed by mournful apologies.  NIGHTINGALE is an intense examination of an individual's mental implosion.  We shuttle between feelings of sympathy for Peter's loneliness and cruel treatment to horrified distain at his violent and cunning deceitfulness.  Oyelowo's haunting performance is spellbinding. He is an exceptionally talented actor.  Rent NIGHTINGALE released in ('14) if you've missed it.  It is an unforgettable film well worth watching.