AWFJ Movie of the Week, April 4 – April 10: DEMOLITION
Opening April 8, AWFJ’s Movie of the Week is Demolition, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal (Prisoners, Nightcrawler) as an investment banker struggling to cope after the tragic death of his wife. Read on…
Critics are calling Gyllenhaal’s performances as Davis one of the best of his career, commanding in the role of an assured, confident man whose life is thrown into emotional and existential chaos after he loses his wife in a car accident. As he struggles to hold it together, he forms an unusual friendship with vending machine worker Karen (Naomi Watts) and her teenage son. Chris Cooper rounds out the cast as Davis’ father in law and boss, with whom he enjoys a close, if fractured, relationship.
Written by Bryan Sipe (A Million Miles, Alpha Mall) and directed by leading Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallee (C.R.A.Z.Y., The Young Victoria, Dallas Buyers Club, Wild), Demolition is a moving character study boasting a phenomenal central performance from one of today’s most exciting acting talents.
AWFJ Movie of the Week Panelists Comments:
Anne Brodie: Demolition is a work of art .. the story, the performances, direction and tone, it sets a new standard in film. Jake Gyllenhaal continues to spread his wings in his third film with an iconoclastic Quebecois director
Pam Grady: Jake Gyllenhaal adds to his growing gallery of intriguing and offbeat characters with his portrayal of an investment banker whose eccentric response to tragedy roils not just his life but the lives of those around him in Jean-Marc Vallee’s black-comic drama Demolition.
Jennifer Merin: Demolition bravely explores the psychology of loss and grieving with compassion and humor. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance is superb!
Film Details:
Title: Demolition
Directors: Jean-Marc Vallee
Release Date: April 8, 2016
Running Time: 100 minutes
Language: English
Shooting Location(s): New York City, USA
Principal Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper
Screenwriters: Bryan Sipe
Production Companies: Black Label Media, Mr. Mudd, Right of Way Films, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Official Site and Trailer
AWFJ Movie of the Week Panel Members: Thelma Adams, Nikki Baughan, Anne Brodie, Candice Frederick, Pam Grady, Leba Hertz, Loren King, Cate Marquis, Jennifer Merin, Nell Minow, Perri Nemiroff, Sheila Roberts, Liz Whittemore, Jeanne Wolf.
Other Movies Opening the Week of April 4 – April 10, 2016
Edited by Sandra Kraisirideja, AWFJ.org Associate Editor
