Let's Get Serious About Jake II

[Sienna]

Morrobay... i agree - BBM was something special - most movies aren't, no matter who is in them. That's why there are some that last forever as classics while others get enjoyed for the moment and then forgotten within a year or two. I don't expect everything Jake does to be The Bomb, but for his own sake as an actor, plus my sake as wanting to enjoy his movies, i keep hoping for something i will be able to cheer about. I had hopes for LAOD until i found out about the sadness quotient. I'll be honest - i don't generally like sad movies. I probably wouldn't have watched BBM if i'd known how it ended and that would've been tragic for me, so i know i'm being short-sighted. However, especially with a romcom, i'd rather it stick to being funny and let me get my dose of sad with another movie. Hopefully there will be lots of folks who either don't think that or don't know how it turns out when it comes time to go see it.

I enjoyed the GG, another sad ending. I enjoyed Proof, altho it was kinda stale in a way and i can see why it didn't do well. I totally missed all the goodness i hear about with Zodiac. I skipped Rendition. I didn't care for Jarhead because of the war stuff, but i liked Jake in it, and was surprised when my military friends at work assured me that the Santa dance was not just thrown in for the girl fans enjoyment - that stuff really happens. Who knew? I loved DD, but to me that's such a different Jake that it's almost like talking about someone else's movie. I enjoyed TDAT and his part was great. Ick to MM - i think he did a great job but he played a char i didn't care for and i totally didn't buy the romance.  I said all this in a long post a few days ago. Sorry to repeat.

[Sienna]

The only other movie that really knocked my socks off in a similar way was The Bridges of Madison County. I think the timing - in regards to other events in my life - for both movies really made a difference. Maybe if i'd been all happy and content with things, they would've been movies i enjoyed but moved on from drama free. As it was, they both really made me look inwards and see all that was lacking in my own life.

Other movies that really stuck with me were:
Children of a Lesser God
The Big Chill
Pretty Woman
About Last Night

[UltraViolet]

Well the guy who directed About Last Night is the director for L&OD, so maybe that will help.

Also, I post at and know if a few Jake blogs, and most of the posters have enjoyed most of Jake's roles, both pre- and post-BBM. (Though many would probably agree that Jack Twist is his best role so far.)

Thanks for your post, ric. I agree with much of what you said. It's a shame that for some people Jake will never be anyone other than Jack Twist. He's an actor, and he will hopefully play many more roles in his lifetime.

About the picture of Heath in Brothers - it wasn't in the movie. During a jail scene, Jake supposedly put up a picture of Heath, symbolizing his past love - the way prisoners often do. There's no scene of Jake in jail in Brothers; we only get to see him leaving prison.

Sienna, did you ever watch Brothers? Jake is very good in it. Though from what you've said, it might not be your cuppa, since it is a grim story.

[Sienna]

UV... i bought Brothers but i haven't watched it yet. Like you said, grim story. yikes. I did lend it to a guy at work who said it was really good.

And i agree with what you said about Jake's roles - i've liked him in some movies even tho i didn't care for the movie overall. I think he's a good actor, but maybe limited - he isn't suited for every role that comes along, but who is??

[NWWaguy]

IMHO Jake is one of if not THE finest actor of our time.  As a writer, director, actor I can speak only from my own experience on this.  He has the capacity to 'become' his character in a way almost no other actors do.  'Tho the scripts, etc., vary ... his involvement is unique and incredible.

Some folks get misdirected and cheat themselves, I fear ... for example, thinking 'Jarhead' was about 'war' ... and despite what one thought about the subject matter, 'Rendition' and 'Zodiac' were unbelievably well executed.   ... and so on ... I won't belabor the issue, but, I expect any future films with Jake will show us that same heart and skill.  I am looking forward to LaOD ... an inside story of the man who had the job of 'selling' Viagra ... and wish 'Source Code' would show up sooner (lol)

And, yes, Brokeback Mountain overwhelmed me ... I am currently working to get the Vancouver Opera to produce the new, currently-in-development opera version of the story ... and have got James Valenti to agree to look into the Jack Twist role ... dream on, eh?  Check him out here:  http://jamesvalenti.com/index.htm

[trekfan]

I agree that Brokeback was a unique experience that doesn't come around too often in films.  It has become a classic.  I don't think anyone who was involved in making it knew it was going to be as successful or effect people like the way it did.  That is what makes it even more special.    For me Heath and Jake embodied Ennis and Jack and will forever be in my mind as those characters.

BUT I think they both tried not to be stereotyped as being able to play only one character.  SO they have stretched themselves by taking on roles that not only interested them but made them really 'work' to play those characters.     Heath really delved into playing the Joker,   and he blew everyone's mind.     He did a good job in Imaginarium, but it was just not a great movie overall,  Heath's performance was very good, but one performance doesn't usually make for a successful movie.

Jake really got himself ready for POP,  did everything he could do to prepare himself.   I liked him as the Prince, but there are elements missing to the story.    Jake can't carry a movie all by himself and I think that between the missing elements and Disney dropping the ball on promoting it.   That was why the movie didn't do as well here in the states.

after I saw BBM I went back and looked at both actors previous movies.    I'd already seen Jake in Oct Sky (I love that movie)   I hadn't seen Heath.  So I saw AKT, 10 Things, FF,  Casanova,  MB, BG

I saw Jake's TDAT (I thought that was great.  I'm a NYer and I've been to the NYPL where Jake and company hid out.   I don't know if that place would have weathered the waves.

proof was good not great,  but I just didn't see the chemistry between him and Gwen P.     Zodiac was Eh.  who really wants to revisit a serial killer story that I vaguely remember from my childhood.  I didn't like Rendition,   I don't think it really stretched Jake's acting abilities.   And Brothers was so so,  he was more secondary to Tobey's character.   I wanted to see more intereaction between the brothers and how their pasts affected them.  We see more of how Tobey's character's past affected him and less about how Jake's time in prison affected his character. (how long was he in prison for and for what?)

I look forward to seeing LAOD and SC

[Tui]

I agree that Jake stepped up to the mark in PoP, not only looking buff but by being physically strong enough to do all the stunts and fighting scenes required. I liked PoP. I thought it was the script that didn't quite come up to expectations. I liked Gemma in it too, I thought Jake and Gemma had good chemistry together. The stills of Jake from PoP are still some of my favourites, with their interesting lighting and composition.

Jake's films are all so different. It is as if he has been seeking out variety and not just sticking to one genre. I read an interview where he said he tried to look poker faced and emotionless in Rendition. It worked. And his character in the Good Girl was so unsympathetic - not the making of a heartthrob - but he portrayed Holden well.

Sorry - a little off topic, but I wish I hadn't seen Dr P. I found it really scary - and it was in the family section of the video store! Heath was good in it but his character and the story was so dark. OTOH, I watched Ten Things I Hate About You for the first time this year, loved it, there is a film with a great script. I like crowd pleasers like A Knights Tale, and Heath was so good in it. But he seemed to want a more serious career (except for Casanova I suppose). His turn in Monsters Ball was great acting but his character had a sad and lonely life and a shocking end.

Sigh -  nothing compares to BBM. All the stars were in alignment for its filming, all right. I read an interview where Jake used the term "magical" about the experience of filming BBM.

I am so looking forward to Jake being in LAOD - something with some laughs. Jake looks really good in it. And it looks like LAOD will have critical success!

Brothers DVD comes out here tomorrow so I will know my reaction to it then. It does have a great cast.

[Nikki]

I agree with the idea that Jake and Jack Twist have become inseparable in peoples' minds here, and that BBM is the lodestar for all films Jake and Heath.  If one can get past that thinking, it makes it easier to be objective about Jake in his various roles and films.  I think he has the potential to become one of the really good actors, but not the greatest 'of his generation.' When he was maturing as a teen and young actor, his roles in Good Girl, Donnie Darko, Moonlight Mile, and October Sky gave him range and depth that he was able to bring to his later roles. Of course, these tended to be 'coming of age' type films with much angst thrown in, and which came to be roles he was associated with. By the time he made BBM, he was on his way, but this was a role that was 'made for him' and brought out the sensitivity and vulnerability that are his hallmarks.  I never felt 'Rendition' and 'Zodiac' gave him that kind of scope again.  Maybe it was the directors or the script, but I never felt they were up to expectations no matter what some might say about his minimalist acting.  I haven't seen POP yet, it's on my queue in Netflix, but I did read somewhere that the critic thought he was badly miscast -- oh well.  I loved him in 'Jarhead,' but then I like war stories and this was very different from most war stories. Thought he was good in 'Proof,' he did a good job with a small role and made it come alive, but there was no chemistry with Gyneth Paltrow IMO. 

I think he could be really good in a smart rom-com, and I hope LAOD is the one. I think the pairing with Hathaway sounds smart and they have the needed chemistry to make it work.  I still fear the Namath film, and hope it is jettisoned.  Jake said once that his parents always said to consider the script first, and I wonder if he hasn't strayed from that advice.

[Tui]

Re Jake being cast as the Prince of Persia, the critic who said he was badly miscast...

I don't think Jake was miscast. I thought he was one of the best things about the movie.

Critics are just one opinion, and I 've learned over the years to seek out the opinion about movies of someone who is like me, who is in my demographic.  And other Jake fans are like me. And most of us like, even love Jake in the role.

When you look at the graphics of the video game Prince of Persia, you see that Jake is a good match physically for the game prince ( blue eyes, the hair, etc). The movie is fairly popular on IMDB, getting a 6.8 out of 10 from 36,000 votes. In terms of box office, it raked in the millions outside the US. ETA Gross at 6 September 2010 was $329,664,481 (Box office Mojo).

The most recent romcom I watched was dismissed and put down by our local critic, as well as being recommended on a website with a review written by someone in my demographic. I went ahead and rented it, loved it, and laughed out loud at it. I have learned not to trust just one critic, but to get a range of views. With the Prince of Persia, it is regrettable that such critics held such sway.

[BayCityJohn]

Our webhosting company is doing maintenance on the server tonight. The forum may be unreachable at various times throughout the evening.

[Nikki]

Re Jake being cast as the Prince of Persia, the critic who said he was badly miscast...

I don't think Jake was miscast. I thought he was one of the best things about the movie.

Critics are just one opinion, and I 've learned over the years to seek out the opinion about movies of someone who is like me, who is in my demographic.  And other Jake fans are like me. And most of us like, even love Jake in the role.

When you look at the graphics of the video game Prince of Persia, you see that Jake is a good match physically for the game prince ( blue eyes, the hair, etc). The movie is fairly popular on IMDB, getting a 6.8 out of 10 from 36,000 votes. In terms of box office, it raked in the millions outside the US. ETA Gross at 6 September 2010 was $329,664,481 (Box office Mojo).

The most recent romcom I watched was dismissed and put down by our local critic, as well as being recommended on a website with a review written by someone in my demographic. I went ahead and rented it, loved it, and laughed out loud at it. I have learned not to trust just one critic, but to get a range of views. With the Prince of Persia, it is regrettable that such critics held such sway.

Tui, I don't always agree with critics.  However, there are some whose opinion I respect because of their objective analysis and intelligent critique. I think that there are many on this Forum who have been burned by what happened to BBM by AMPAS and various critics, but that shouldn't change one's opinion toward critics in general.  I haven't seen POP yet it's on my queue in Netflix, but I had been wondering about Jake carrying off this role even before the film came out.  Sure, he looks great -- muscles and all -- but maybe that's not enough to carry this off. Also, sometimes a person in one's own demographic may not be as objective as he/she should, Jake's fans in the Forum are a good example of this IMO. One's taste is always inclined to be subjective whether about films, food or novels. I look forward to seeing POP, and will comment on it when and if.

[Sienna]

For anyone who wondered why Jake has his hand over his mouth in the LAOD poster, you aren't alone. Here is a little blurb about it in NY Magazine. The comments are funny/crass/etc, but the overall article is interesting. What does it mean?? I think it makes for a cute picture and maybe that's all it's supposed to be, but i admit than i'm curious too and so i thought the article brought up an interesting question. I found this posted on a jake blog - i was not industrious enough to root it out myself.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/09/why_is_jake_gyllenhaal_coverin.html#comments

[Jules]

For anyone who wondered why Jake has his hand over his mouth in the LAOD poster, you aren't alone. Here is a little blurb about it in NY Magazine. The comments are funny/crass/etc, but the overall article is interesting. What does it mean?? I think it makes for a cute picture and maybe that's all it's supposed to be, but i admit than i'm curious too and so i thought the article brought up an interesting question. I found this posted on a jake blog - i was not industrious enough to root it out myself.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/09/why_is_jake_gyllenhaal_coverin.html#comments

I think it was me commenting on the hand over his mouth. I was actually just complaining about his face being covered, this time not by the ugly beard but by his own hand, but this article is so much fun!!   thanks Sienna  

I stick to my opinion anyway...I don't like this poster.

[trekfan]

For anyone who wondered why Jake has his hand over his mouth in the LAOD poster, you aren't alone. Here is a little blurb about it in NY Magazine. The comments are funny/crass/etc, but the overall article is interesting. What does it mean?? I think it makes for a cute picture and maybe that's all it's supposed to be, but i admit than i'm curious too and so i thought the article brought up an interesting question. I found this posted on a jake blog - i was not industrious enough to root it out myself.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/09/why_is_jake_gyllenhaal_coverin.html#comments

that is TOO funny, S

thanks for sharing the link.    he probably farted   

[Tui]

Tui, I don't always agree with critics.  However, there are some whose opinion I respect because of their objective analysis and intelligent critique. I think that there are many on this Forum who have been burned by what happened to BBM by AMPAS and various critics, but that shouldn't change one's opinion toward critics in general.  I haven't seen POP yet it's on my queue in Netflix, but I had been wondering about Jake carrying off this role even before the film came out.  Sure, he looks great -- muscles and all -- but maybe that's not enough to carry this off. Also, sometimes a person in one's own demographic may not be as objective as he/she should, Jake's fans in the Forum are a good example of this IMO. One's taste is always inclined to be subjective whether about films, food or novels. I look forward to seeing POP, and will comment on it when and if.

Oh, thanks for getting back to me, Nikki. I hope you enjoy the movie. Let us all know what you think of it.