‘Demolition’ explores moving on from tragedy. This can
be difficult to do with someone eternally bound to another and various emotions
hard to shake. If in a marriage, one half is gone with the other
searching for ways to go forward. With the thespian skills of Jake
Gyllenhaal, ‘Demolition’ benefits from his acting and a strong story. It
can be heavy at times but like any rewarding film offers much in return for
viewer investment.
When his wife is killed in a car crash, investment banker
Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) falls to pieces. Although his father in law Phil
(Chris Cooper) tells him to pull himself together, Davis can’t easily let
go. While writing a letter of complaint about a faulty machine, Davis
captures the attention of customer service rep Karen (Naomi Watts). Despite
having her own issues, she and Davis form a mutual connection. With her
help, Davis sets out to demolish his old life in favour of a new and
potentially hopeful one.
A film about a man going through a nervous breakdown and
dealing with grief hardly sounds like a good time. Although ‘Demolition’
deals with weighty issues, it has elements making it absorbing. Davis’
anguish feels genuine thanks to Gyllenhaal’s magnetic performance. He is
ably backed up by Watts who gives a fine performance as an equally lost
soul. Their strange combination helps them through their emotional
turmoils even if those around them can’t deal with their behaviour.
Jean-Marc Vallee’s direction delivers the authenticity
‘Demolition’ needs to feel believable. Despite a meandering narrative and
a few scenes not quite working, Vallee ensures the characters hold the
attention. Along with Gyllenhaal and Watts, Cooper delivers his usual
solid rendition of a father coping with losing his daughter. You feel his
character’s perplexity at Davis’ actions with the cinematography and soundtrack
adding much to these sequences.
Re-connection and re-discovering who you are become the key
points ‘Demolition’ makes. It is an often confusing and difficult journey
to take but ‘Demolition’ proves dealing with death is like that. How we
come to terms with loss and how long it takes are issues ‘Demolition’
effectively explores.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 7
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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