Welcome to ‘Underrated’ some analysis of the films ignored by the critics, that deserve more recognition. Often our opinions are half made up before we even begin watching a film, thanks to the overwhelming amount of critical opinion now available on cinema. Therefore, I hope to shed some much-needed light on the films neglected by widespread audiences.
Demolition is the story of Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), a
successful banker who is introduced to the story driving to work with his wife Julia (Heather Lind). unexpectedly
the car crashes, killing Julia and leaving Davis recovering in the hospital. As
he wakes, he goes to buy a piece of chocolate from a nearby vending machine which
malfunctions. In his angst, he writes a detailed complaint to the vending
company, accounting a lot of his current personal struggles in the message
which attracts the attention of the customer service representative dealing with
the issue – Karen (Naomi Watts). Touched by his plight, Karen proves to be
someone that Davis can communicate with during this incredibly life affirming
period in his life, allowing Davis to also build a meaningful friendship with
her adolescent son Chris (Judah Lewis). As he comes to terms with the loss of
his wife, he realises that he never truly loved her, understanding a lot of
things about their relationship in a rather erratic, yet forthright fashion. Davis
must now go through the process of the ‘demolition’ of his old life, allowing
him to truly be the person that he wants to be.
Demolition isn’t what you’ve come to expect from
dramas about love and loss where a grieving husband finds love again. This isn’t
that kind of film. Davis truly learns the most important thing, to genuinely
love and accept himself. Acknowledging that his previous life wasn’t true,
dismantling it and moving forward with the right people. What Karen, Davis and
Chris create together isn’t romantic, but it is powerful, honest, and
worthwhile. Finding friendship and belonging in the most complicated scenarios
by doing something so unbelievably simple - listening.
Jean-Marc Vallée is a filmmaker that I admire unreservedly. Dallas
Buyers Club (2013) was certainly amazing, but there is something about the unique
style of Demolition that made me enjoy it more. From the natural and unpredictable
handheld camera style that complimented Davis’ erratic approach to grieving, or
even the blended and innovative use of soundtrack. Jean Marc has an inherent
ability to create realism in moments of natural sound, whilst amplifying moments
of joy, anger, excitement, and energy through a clever use of needle drop
musical accompaniments. It has been noted as a ‘cool’ film, but to me it is so
much more than that.
We have come this far, and I haven’t even mentioned how infatuated
I was with the cast. Enough has already been said about how underrated Jake
Gyllenhaal has been in his career, and portraying the emotionally stunted, yet energetic
Davis seemed like the perfect role for him to show off his class. Naomi Watts also
excels as the fundamentally good person who loves her son unconditionally. Then
of course, Judah Lewis as the boy struggling with issues of identity, sexuality,
and friendship as an alternative thinking child. The cast were perfectly cherry
picked for their roles and only amplify the film to a higher sense of acclaim.
If you are defining an underrated film and needed a case study this would be the
film. A piece that gets straight to the point of what it wants to say and excels
almost immediately.
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