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| Jake Gyllenhaal stars in Demolition |
Crazy on You
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) a successful investment banker, struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash. Despite pressure from his father-in-law, Phil (Chris Cooper) to pull it together, Davis continues to unravel. What starts as a complaint letter to a vending machine company turns into a series of letters revealing startling personal admissions. Davis' letters catch the attention of customer service rep, Karen Moreno (Naomi Watts) and amidst emotional and financial burdens of her own, the two form an unlikely connection. With the help of Karen and her son, Chris (Judah Lewis) Davis starts to rebuild, beginning with the demolition of the life he once knew. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée.
"If you want to fix something, you have to take it apart and examine everything." Davis takes his father-in-law's advice to heart... opening up, then tearing apart various perceived obstacles (computers, doors, houses) after the death of his wife. The first half is terrific; but the final 30 minutes spiral out of control, as Gyllenhaal's character comes close to rock bottom. Before that, Jake dazzles with a newfound "growing sense of curiosity," winning legions (more) of fans in the process. Watts shines as a sympathetic free-spirit/pothead; and Cooper delivers yet another noble performance. A tad heavy, but profoundly entertaining.
Grade: B
