Jake Gyllenhaal out and about in LA and even more interviews with Jake and Duncan Jones on Source Code

Jake Gyllenhaal's certainly busy at the moment. When he's not giving more interviews for Source Code, he's looking around motorbike shops (can't say I blame him, I'm looking for a bike jacket myself at the moment) or going to launches of jeans in Bloomingdales, Santa Monica. As Jake is Jeans Man personified, it's not a surprise that he showed up to that one. Jake has also been spotted chatting with singer Jason Mraz. Below, Jake is pictured visiting the bike shop on Friday (25 March) and at the Hoyle Jackson launch party the previous Friday.


There are more interviews with Jake and Duncan Jones today. The interview we were promised with the Orlando Sentinel has now been published. You can read that there but here are a couple of snippets. '“It’s regret that always makes you — if you listen to it — choose not to do something that you [might] regret the next time around,” Gyllenhaal says. “The things that we regret and remember are the things that make us more present in our lives. That’s what life is all about, for me... It goes from ‘I’m using these eight minutes of someone else’s life to save thousands of people’ to ‘What would you do if you had eight minutes to live?’ That’s pretty deep for a thriller. That lifts this movie to a much higher plane, dealing with a much larger philosophical idea.” Gyllenhaal chuckles. “The irony is, regardless of past or future, if we looked at the world that way, we’d all be a lot more present.”'


'“Every choice I’ve ever made is probably informed by my interest in Eastern religions and philosophies,” he says of his college courses. “’Source Code’ explores a ton of different philosophical ideas, that there is no real linearity to life, that time and space are flexible — all things that aren’t just about science but that concern religion and philosophy, particularly Buddhism.”'

'“I enjoy being the eyes of the audience, because I am always thinking of the audience. With this character, I had the ability to think about all the things the audience might think about that. ‘Why doesn’t he try this? Why don’t I try that?’ And I could play against that... What would you change if you had the chance? Not much. Not in my life. I’ve been blessed,” Gyllenhaal says. “But what I learn from this movie is it’s not what you do, it’s how you respond. It’s not going out and never making a mistake. It’s how you respond afterwards. That determines who we are. The ultimate goal is to help others, not yourself.”'


From an interview with the National Post: '“I think my strength is to do a take all the way through,” the actor says. “I am definitely not someone who can do a sprint. Maybe I am not that smart, but it takes me a while to find the moment, and I like to be pushed toward it.” Indeed, Gyllenhaal maintains that Jones has a great deal in common with his Brokeback Mountain director, Ang Lee. “They both give clear directions. Ang would say, ‘Not sexy at all. Sexier.’ And Duncan would say things like, ‘OK, say it weirder.’” Casting seemed to work out, as well, especially with the selection of Monaghan, who has received acclaim for roles in North Country and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. “Michelle’s the audience eyes for this film, so it was important to relate to her,” Gyllenhaal says. She returns the compliment: “Jake’s so easy to act with, because he loves his job.”'


Boston.com has an interesting article about Duncan Jones and the film but it is a little spoilery. It does, however, feature this quote from Jake: ''Making a movie where you’re playing with time is a fun process,’ says Gyllenhaal, who’s had a chance to meditate on the genre a bit, between Source Code, Donnie Darko, and even Prince of Persia. Speaking by phone from Los Angeles, he continues, 'There’s not a moment where you can go on autopilot. And the audience experiences the same feeling. Time is an issue that inevitably creates tension, and in movies like this, you have the ability to create even more.''

There is also a particularly fascinating article over at the SF Gate, focusing especially on Duncan and Michelle Monaghan. This is a lot heavier on the spoilers so do be warned.


And finally...

With thanks to a friend, I've updated the Jake on the Box panel to include Jake's appearance on Good Morning America on 31 March.

Includes pictures from links and IHJ.

My review of The Eagle is now up at MovieBrit.