Jake Gyllenhaal: Actor, Movie Star, Heart Throb - WDW Guide Part 3

Without much more ado, here is Part 3 of the WDW GyllenGuide. Actually, there is a bit of an ado thanks to the wonderful new old pictures of Jake Gyllenhaal with Peter Sarsgaard in New York back in February 2009 from IHJ. As you'll recall, Jake was in town to support Maggie and Peter for their play Seagull and it also gave him an opportunity to push Ramona on the swings. Which might explain the tutu...




And so on with the post - Remember that this is an opinionated guide, and different points of view are welcomed!

Title: Zodiac
Date: 2007
Role: Robert Graysmith

Hotness: 8/10
Mascara-proof? Yes (but you may lose your finger nails from hanging on to your seat)
Chemistry: 5/10 (Chloe Sevigny) 9/10 (Robert Downey Jr) 8/10 (Mark Ruffalo)
Sex scenes: No (although there is an attempt at a romantic dinner and he does bang on Mark Ruffalo's window at night)
Hair: 9/10
Bonus features: cartoons, Donovan, pong, squirrels in the fridge, Golden Gate Bridge


What can I say about Zodiac except to say that if you haven't seen it what are you waiting for? All right, it's a little scary in places, but much is suggested rather than shown, although the scene with the basement is the most terrifying example of Jake in Peril to date in my opinion - never mind those wolves and ostriches. Much has been said about Jake's relationship with David '65 Takes' Fincher but Jake has often said that he picks his roles for their directors and undoubtedly he learned a great deal in this procedural drama from such a meticulous director who put the story above the actors. Jake has said that he felt like an extra for much of the film. But just look at the result - from the opening frame, here is a film that grips and draws one in with the detail and the obsession.


Jake may be one of an ensemble but here the group is so skilled, the direction so clear that we are treated to some of Jake's finest acting. Robert Graysmith is a role of which Jake should be rightly proud. And I am thrilled that Jake took the chance to work with the master David Fincher - just look at the extras on the DVD and you get a real glimpse of that relationship. And Robert Downey Jr too! This film brought RDJ back into the mainstream and opened up doors. This film is the film of Jake's I admire the most, it has the soundtrack I love the most and the atmosphere that chills me the most, the recreation of the past that is most exact. While I may enjoy Hot Jake more in other films (mentioning no names,... Dastan), Zodiac as a whole is without parallel for me. I know it's tinged by my so vivid memories of LA and Cannes, but even so... And the RDJ and Jake commentary is a huge bonus.

WDW Rating: 10/10


Title: Rendition
Date: 2007
Role: Douglas Freeman

Hotness: 10/10
Mascara-proof? Yes (but tense, very tense)
Chemistry: NA (Not hugely applicable although the potential for sex scenes was great)
Sex scenes: Almost
Hair: 9/10
Bonus features: Morocco, gum, scrapbooks, Meryl

Rendition is not an easy film to write about. It had a lot going for it - that's obvious from the very first shot of Jake in a Moroccan bed with chest and a whiskey glass by his side. Take that one scene further and we have Jake sitting on a bath embracing his girl. But, from then on in, things became serious, very serious indeed. The interviews that Jake gave at the time demonstrate that torture was the theme and the goal was to raise awareness of western involvment in the unmentionable practices of torture in unnamed countries. The message was topical and director Gavin Hood's Oscar-winning history gave this film a gravitas, supported by Meryl Streep, Peter Sarsgaard and Alan Arkin. Arab and Israeli actors also shone in this film and, arguably, they - especially Omar Metwally and Igal Naor - were the stars of Rendition. However, Reese Witherspoon was clearly squeezed in as an Oscar winner but she was given nothing to work with.


I find Rendition awkward. Again the soundtrack was great, the imagery of the film was great and most of the acting was fine indeed. For me, this was a hot role for Jake - opinion is greatly divided on the Rendition hair but having seen it in person at the BAFTAs I loved this look on Jake. But looks aren't everything and there are flaws in this film. For one thing, Jake isn't in it nearly enough. I found the ending with the twist in the tail marvellous though. I saw this film twice with Jake in the cinema and no doubt this coloured my opinion of it, but three years on I can now look back on Rendition afresh and not feel so wrapped up in it. The cinematography of Rendition is particularly good - more of those Morocco colours - and now I can give it another go.

WDW Rating: 6/10


Title: Brothers
Date: 2009
Role: Tommy Cahill

Hotness: 9/10
Mascara-proof? Yes (unless you're a big Tobey Maguire fan)
Chemistry: 7/10 (Natalie Portman)
Sex scenes: No (but maybe there should have been)
Hair: 10/10
Bonus features: skating, kitchen decorating tips, batter

When I first heard that Jake was involved in Brothers - when I knew there was already a very good version - I was ambivalent. Jake's roles have always fascinated me, not just for what they depict but for why he chose them. With Brothers, I think it was very much because of Jim Sheridan. Jim is a great director when it comes to portraying families at times of trial and if anything motivates Jake it's family. We had had to endure two years of film delays - Nailed should have been on the way too - and when Brothers came out, I grabbed it and it was like cool rain drops in the summer desert.


However, after the initial euphoria of seeing Jake back on the big screen where he belongs, subsequent viewings disappointed me. The stereotypes in this American Irish family, the flaws in the plot (why was Natalie told that her husband was dead when he was missing?), the holding back, all have now left me with a film I may not watch much again. And this is a shame because Jake was indeed very hot in Brothers - and Jim appears to have heard our pleading at the time by including a gratuitous shower scene! Two of my problems with Brothers will always be that I don't care for Tobey Maguire and I don't think Natalie Portman can act. Speaking entirely personally, I think I was in to a no-winner with Brothers from the day it was announced. However, talk about hot... Love this look on Jake.

WDW Rating: 5/10


Title: Prince of Persia
Date: 2010
Role: Prince Dastan

Hotness: 9/10
Mascara-proof? Yes (but it may not be lipstick proof with the amount of smiling you'll do)
Chemistry: 8/10 (Gemma Arterton)
Sex scenes: No (but a wanting to be kissed scene that lasts for hours)
Hair: 9/10
Bonus features: Austrians, fountains, armour, gold glitter


I think Prince of Persia was a surprise to all of us Gyllenhaalics - I know I could hardly believe my ears when I heard that he had taken this role. But after years of competing for Batman, Spider-Man and Superman roles, here was something just for Jake and no matter what anyone thinks of the film (and I think it's great) Jake's Dastan is a character to adore. Ably matched by Gemma Arterton, here is a great couple from the romantic heroic past for cynical modern audiences to enjoy.


I've never hidden the fact that I love a good blockbuster but I was nervous about PoP. Would the accent work? Would Jake pull off the action set pieces? Yes and yes! Hearing Jake speaking with a believable English accent was superb and this was backed up with incredible action, excitement and gold! Everything in PoP glitters with sand and gold. I'm a Jake fan (Yes! I know I hide it well) and Jake's physical presence at the heart of PoP is all-powerful. From the floating silks to the Hasanssin dens, Prince of Persia is a delight to the senses. Speaking as someone who has played the games for years, I am so glad that Jake brought PoP to life.

WDW rating: 9/10


And finally...

Firstly, do check out this fascinating article on the CGI behind a few scenes in PoP. Most of the film, of course, was CGI free - it was actually made for real.

A WDW interlude - a hot summers evening encouraged a motorbike ride to a country pub in a village of thatched cottages and fields, protected by ruined walls, pheasants and fowl.


Includes pictures from IHJ, links and WDW.