Review of Demolition (2016) by Dean B — 21 Jun 2016
Another tour-de-force performance from Jake Gyllenhaal--in a career studded with them--elevates what could be an overly schematic drama about a man taking apart the ruins of his life after his wife passes away in an accident.
The scenes of actual demolition may strike false notes (only in privileged America do white people get to bust up a house for the heck of it without thinking about donating any of it to Habitat for Humanity) and Watt's role is simultaneously underwritten and murky.
Chris Cooper and Polly Draper--both normally great actors--can't do much with their stock "rich meanies" roles. But Judah Lewis, as Watt's gay son, is a crackerjack comic and dramatic actor, and his scenes with Gyllenhaal elevate the movie to an entirely different level.
The ending can't match the transfixing levels of mastery Vallee pulled off in "The Dallas Buyer's Club" or "Wild" but that doesn't mean it's a total whiff; this flawed, generous movie is still pungent enough to get under your skin.
This review of Demolition (2016) was written by Dean B on 21 Jun 2016.
Demolition has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
