Jake Gyllenhaal: Actor, Movie Star, Heart throb - WDW Guide Part 2

After yesterday's hors d'oeuvres, tonight we move on to the first course in our delicious, decadent and tasty Jake Gyllenhaal banquet. So, pull your seats up to the table, spread the napkin on your lap and tease those taste buds as you prepare to sample part 2 of the Gyllenfeast.


Title: The Day After Tomorrow
Date: 2004
Role: Sam Hall (aka Wet Sam)

Hotness: 9/10
Mascara-proof? Yes (unless you have a weird sentiment for wolves)
Chemistry: 7/10 (Emmy Rossum - her mind was on future musicals)
Sex scenes: No (it was chilly)
Hair: 8/10
Bonus features: stuffed animals, layered clothing, Manchester United

The Day After Tomorrow marked a significant step in Jake's career. No longer was he the older thinking woman's toy boy, he was now for everyone. He may have been the son in the film and not the lead but there's no doubt that all eyes were on Wet Sam's valiant struggles to save himself and his friends (at the expense of a lot of valuable books). Personally, this was the film that made me a Gyllenhaalic - it was something to do with the curve of the lip. The film may have taught me absolutely nothing about the environment and global warming but it did teach me an awful lot about snowshoes, Russian ships and public telephones. This is the Jake film that I have watched more than other (partly as it's on TV every week) and whenever it's on I always say to Mr WDW 'Ooh, I should watch that, I've heard it's very good'. Question though: Why did they burn the books and not the furniture? Another good sountrack.

WDW rating: 9/10


Title: Brokeback Mountain
Date: 2005
Role: Jack F******g Twist

Hotness: 9/10
Mascara-proof? Absolutely not
Chemistry: 10/10 (Heath Ledger)
Sex scenes: Yes (in a pup tent no less)
Hair: 8/10
Bonus features: bears, beans, August snow, hats, buckles, cool streams

Never mind those PoP ostriches, if you want something to tear your heart out look no further than Brokeback Mountain. How little I knew when I saw this film in January 2006 - Wet Sam transformed into Jack Twist, a cowboy that could melt your soul with one look from those eyes, matched unbelievably by Heath Ledger's Ennis Del Mar and all set against magnificent skies. I chuckle now when I think that I originally went to see this film because of the scenery... For the first time, Jake played the role of boy, man, husband, lover and father, all the time supporting and supported by Heath. And one mustn't forget Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams. This wasn't 'just' a film, it was a life-changing experience and it's only now, four years on, that I can actually watch it and appreciate Brokeback Mountain as a film and realise how magnificent it is. Soundtrack: superb with etra points for Rufus Wainwright.

WDW rating: 10/10


Title: Proof
Date: 2005
Role: Hal

Hotness: 9/10
Mascara-proof? Yes!
Chemistry: 1/10 (Gwyneth Paltrow)
Sex scenes: Yes (thank heavens)
Hair: 9/10
Bonus features: mathematics, glasses, running, drums, nice coffee?

Proof... what a contrast to Brokeback. The hair was good, the look was great but, for me, this is the least enjoyable of all Jake's films, saved only by his extreme levels of hotness and a great love scene - marred by Gwyneth inexplicably crying through it. Gwyneth was pregnant through this film, not that she let anyone know at the time, and her mood permeates almost every scene. There are saving graces - thinking the drumming, the kiss, the love scene and the running. Lots of great Jake running here. However, only watch this film with a remote control, just so you can enjoy the Jake scenes. They are so easy on the eye. I didn't learn much about mathematics either.

WDW rating: 3/10


Title: Jarhead
Date: 2005
Role: Anthony Swofford (Swoff)

Hotness: 9/10
Mascara-proof? Yes
Chemistry: NA(although the chemistry with us feels pretty hot)
Sex scenes: A flashback (but plenty of other things to compensate)
Hair: NA (if pushed, 3/10)
Bonus features: scorpion racing, footsteps in the sand, Christmas

Never mind Proof, Jake was right back on track with Jarhead, a film that Jake led, despite being outranked by Jamie Foxx. By Jake's side was Troy, Peter Sarsgaard, and the familiarity of their real life friendship united the two in front of the cameras - despite the real and virual fights. The photography here is brilliant, demonstrating for the first time how well Jake suits desert spaces. The raining oil, the horse, the death road - all have an ugly beauty. The moments of intensity and tension are offset by the times of inaction, repetitive exercise and doubt and suspicion about loved ones back at home. Obviously, this film will always be known for Jake's santa hat dance - a fine example of its type - but there is even more to it. And the score by Thomas Newman (also composer of the Brothers soundtrack) is perfect.

WDW rating: 9/10


And so we continue!

Includes pictures from IHJ.