Robert Pattinson is an unhinged delight in gonzo ‘Primetime’ – Review

Starring an unhinged Robert Pattinson, the drama “Primetime” exposes the ickiness and discomfiting qualities of reality TV.

Before true-crime docuseries were a thing, journalist Chris Hansen notched his own brand of justice with sting operations designed to trap pedophiles and child predators. Director Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime” (★★★ out of four; rated R; in theaters Sept. 25), inspired by real events, turns all that into a darkly funny kaleidoscopic fever dream. And Pattinson gives one of his more unnerving performances as a dramatized, out-there version of Hansen who seems creepier than the creeps he busts.

After seeing "Primetime," it's understandable why the actual Hansen is less than thrilled.

The movie is set in 2006, when Hansen’s “To Catch a Predator” segments on “Dateline NBC” prove so popular that they get turned into a prime-time show that goes up against “Lost” in the ratings. Success doesn’t exactly equal satisfaction for Hansen, however: He looks upon anchor Stone Phillips with envy and is determined to gain a certain level of infamy, making the most of every suave entrance to take down a target the team lures in via AOL Messenger.

Hansen gives off an air of brash confidence, though a haunted aura is…

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