Title: Demolition
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Naomi Watts, Judah Lewis.
‘Demolition’ is a sagaciously deconstructivist drama. Quebecois director, Jean-Marc Vallée, seems to fully embrace the philosophy of the 1950’s postmodern movement, disassembling the protagonist’s soul for a full completion of his metaphysical presence.
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 react, 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 representative, Karen Mareno (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.
The film is very powerful in portraying how the white-collar widower needs to tear his whole life apart to find meaning. He literally wrecks everything that crosses his path: dismantling appliances, smashing furniture and even going so far as to bulldoze his own house. Just as effective is the epistolary therapy that attests how in moments of grief it is easier to vent out to a stranger, rather than with those who know us well and can therefore be critical and judgemental.
Jake Gyllenhaal is truly remarkable as a man who refuses to mourn his wife’s death and seeks through “Demolition” a catharsis that never comes; he definitely gives his best performance since ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ Just as delicate and raw in their performance are the graceful Naomi Watts and charismatic Chris Cooper, who are crucial in different ways for Davis’ heeling process.
Filmmaker Vallée started as an underground filmmaker who made lyrical and wildly offbeat paeans to love and family, and gained Hollywood attention with flicks such as ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ and ‘Wild.’ ‘Demolition’ seems to play along the lines of his early works, such as ‘Café de Flore’ and ‘C.R.A.Z.Y.’, venturing in the odyssey of the human “storm and urge.”
Technical: B
Acting: A-
Story: B+
Overall: A-
Written by: Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
