Demolition Film Review
By Melissa Chapman, Cataloging Supervisor at the Warsaw Community Public Library
“Demolition” is a fantastic metaphor for inner turmoil. It takes us on an adventure through every single stage of the grieving process—denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Although at times it seems slow and detached it is also funny, quirky and rewarding to watch.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Davis, a successful self-centered investment banker who tries to deal with his wife’s untimely death. Davis is clearly not prepared for dealing with grief and loss. At the hospital right after he loses his wife, he battles with a vending machine over an undelivered item and sets out to write a long, very personal letter to the vending machine company demanding a refund.
Davis’ increasingly erratic behavior angers his father-in-law and employer, played by Chris Cooper and undermines the foundations of his old life, he begins to see the possibility of a new life, but still he wrestles with a question he can’t answer: did he love his wife?
Gyllenhaal has done this character proud. He’s never afraid to make his audience uncomfortable (with him). Gyllenhaal has made a career out of playing normal-seeming men who have lost their way — not in such a manner that strangers might notice, but we see him slipping off the tracks. He does this with a natural kind of enthusiasm — he throws himself into it, as he does here.
Naomi Watts plays Karen, a cannabis-loving, single mother who is struggling to find a connection with her son. Watts plays it with sincerity and heart. Chris Cooper is a strong counter to Gyllenhaal’s emotionless demeanor. Phil wears his emotions on his sleeve. While these two bring their A game the true find in Demolition is newcomer Judah Lewis who plays Chris, Karen’s young gay son. He’s bold, androgynous, naively confident, and startlingly delicate. All of these characters are adrift and don’t know who they are or how they relate to the world.
Demolition reminds us that there are no rules about how we should deal with the death of a loved one and no wrong way to grieve.
If you think you’d like to watch this film or another Gyllenhaal film like “Nightcrawler”, “Southpaw”, or “Enemy” then come in and scan the Warsaw Community Public Library’s video collection.