Review of Demolition (2016) by Tvjerry — 12 Apr 2016

In the first scene, Jake Gyllenhaal's wife is killed in an accident and he spends the rest of the movie in a closed-off reaction. This leads him to dismantling objects, eventually destroying his house.

Much of his turmoil is outlined in letters he writes to a vending machine company. This leads to a relationship with a mother (Naomi Watts) and her troubled son (Judah Lewis). So much of this narrative is in narration that it becomes an earnest exercise in self-indulgence.

Gyllenhaal tears down a lot, but doesn't tear up much (work out that pun). Chris Cooper (as the father-in-law) and the kid create the most moving characters. Director Jean-Marc Vallée has crafted an interesting film on an intellectual level.

However, the slow, repetitive and somewhat predictable story, as well as the frustrating detachment undermine the film's emotional resonance.