At 41, Jake Gyllenhaal continues to burst the screen by building a rich filmography, filled with varied feature films. In front of the camera, he embodies defining roles at the heart of enigmatic thrillers, family dramas, and even superhero films. On the occasion of the release of “Ambulance”, a new film by Michael Bay, here is a list of the best works to find the American actor.
Donnie Darko (2002)
After his first film appearances and his role as young Homer Hickam in October sky by Joe Johnston, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a fierce teenager with intense emotional problems in Donnie Darko. Richard Kelly, the director, directs Donnie’s story. The young man is plagued by strange visions. He goes so far as to believe in the existence of a gigantic white rabbit named Frank that only he sees. These appearances upset the daily life of the young boy, which worries his relatives and the community where he lives.
With this remarkable role, Jake Gyllenhaal begins his career in the most beautiful way, delivering a convincing, almost chilling performance. Accompanied by his on-screen sister Maggie Gyllenhaalyoung Jake exposes the perfect combination of emotions of a troubled teenager.
The film Donnie Darko plays as much with time as it plays with the successive hallucinations of the main character. It links science fiction to Donnie’s fragile psychological state. This tumultuous teen movie marks a generation and crosses time easily, in addition to having turned the life of its actor upside down. The Californian actor thanks the film for existing in a post on Instagram in 2021:
It’s a movie that changed my life and my career.
The Secret of Brokeback Mountain (2006)
In the register of romantic and classic dramas, The Secret of Brokeback Mountain features in Jake Gyllenhaal’s filmography. He also won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2005. Carrying Ang Lee’s film on his shoulders, accompanied by the talented and late Heath Ledger, the actor plays one of the two cowboys in love with sudden and impossible love, contrary to the mores of the time in Wyoming.
On the guitar notes of Gustavo Santaolalla, the secret of two men is told in the heart of these vast and mountainous landscapes. Isolated, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar share much more than a simple history hidden during the transhumance of the sheep of which they are the guards. The two actors excel and manage to create pure chemistry between them. Which provokes rare emotions.
Suffering from a love condemned to remain secret, between unsaid and silences, Jake Gyllenhaal shines with his looks and his fair interpretation. The intimacy he creates with his companion allows him to be an Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actor. The statuette was finally granted to George Clooney for Syriana. But thanks to Brokeback MountainJake Gyllenhaal is gaining even more popularity with critics and audiences alike.
Zodiac (2007)
The year 2007 marks the collaboration between the actor and filmmaker David Fincher. The story of an investigation into the serial killer of the Zodiac who multiplies the horrific murders in San Francisco and around. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a cartoonist named Robert Graysmith. He puts his life aside to discover the culprit of these murders, taking an extraordinary interest in the face of clues and repeated encrypted messages from the assassin.
An XXL cast. Alongside the Californian actor, Robert Downey Jr. camped Paul Avery, a specialist in criminal affairs at the San Francisco Chronicle. Mark Ruffalo plays Inspector David Toschi. With ZodiacDavid Fincher talks about a subject that obsesses him: serial killers. The director takes an interest in the psychology of his characters. In particular, that of Jake Gyllenhaal, obsessed with the need to know who the Zodiac is.
In these 2h30 of investigation, the continual obsession of this apprentice investigator, who abandons his own existence, captivates the audience. And this, in particular thanks to an insane Jake Gyllenhaal. Zodiac is an excellent thriller with an anxiety-provoking atmosphere, benefiting from careful and thoughtful staging.
prisoners (2013)
In the early 2010s, the actor chained films with different looks. Playing Tobey Maguire’s brother in the drama Brothersaddicted to Anne Hathaway in romance Love, and other drugs or embodying the hero of the blockbuster Prince of Persia: The Sands of TimeJake Gyllenhaal is overwhelmed with proposals.
Then, he decides to work twice with Denis Villeneuve. Their collaboration gives birth to two great films. First of all prisoners then enemies.
