Mix and match - Jake Gyllenhaal's Proof

My Proof issues are well-documented. While some Gyllenhaalics are adamant that Proof was a sensitive examination of loss, depression and trust, others - well, me - have trouble getting past the sleepy lack of chemistry between Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal. Fortunately, the film's sex scene and the general dreaminess of Jake in Proof means that there are some scenes that we can all agree upon being endlessly rewarding. I just need the fastforward button to get to them.


I raise the topic of Proof because a) I don't discuss it very often, b) I have regular attacks of Proof-guilt, and c) this week a site listed Proof as one of the top five Gwyneth DVDs : 'While this film isn't as popular as the others, Paltrow turns in a tight performance, starkly frightened by the very real possibility that all she has loved will be taken from her. Jake Gyllenhaal falls into place amiably as a fellow mathematician investigating the elegant mathematical proof, and it is through his gentle prodding and support that Paltrow finds herself, as well as the truth of her father's life and work. For a film that deals with longstanding familial drama as well as the complexities of paranoia, disbelief and acceptance, the potential for disaster is always high. Yet, Proof falls squarely in the hands of the capable Paltrow, and it is unconditionally one of her best performances.'


Realising that I should talk about Proof more, I now turn my attention towards the mysteries of past roles that were once auditioned for and are now callously cast into the rubbish bin of fundless movies. A google message today advised me that Jake and an old chum, Matthew McConaughey, were in talks with Robert Altman to appear in his movie The Widow Claire opposite Winona Ryder. Further investigation revealed that these talks dated to 2003. Not only that, it was revealed that Jake was in talks to star in a movie - 'The Rip' - about the plot to steal diamonds from the Millennium Dome in London. The mind boggles.


Confusingly and perhaps intriguingly, the plot of The Widow Claire sounds very familiar in a Brothers way: 'Set in the backdrop of World War II, a young widow with two children is caught between the affections of two men. One is a sweet soldier about to go to war and the other is the town's most sought-after playboy.'


And finally...

As the winter continues relentlessly, the need to keep warm is paramount. While Jake has the advantage of being in LA, where frost and snow are known only from Weather Channel reports, I am sincerely grateful to Ruby for her most helpful suggestion for unshaven Jake, should he risk the wintry climes of less amiable spots. The mix and match element is particularly convenient.


Includes pictures from IHJ.