Jake Gyllenhaal on the Beeb, Zwick and Fincher on what audiences want, and Jack and Ennis, a highlight of the last decade

This new BBC interview with Jake Gyllenhaal proves three things a) Jake only has to say 'Really? really?' and the most hardened interviewer will wilt and whimper; b) the Dorchester has lovely tea services and c) the BBC should most certainly know how to spell G-Y-L-L-E-N-H-A-A-L by now, ok Auntie Beeb? Thanks to CBS we have an embeddable version. Otherwise, you can see it on the BBC.



Love and Other Drugs opened in the UK on 29 December and, despite this being the season for big family movies (eg. Litte Fockers, Narnia and Gulliver's Travels), it was the third biggest taker at the UK box office, which is testament, I think, to the appeal of Jake and Anne Hathaway together. Congratulations are due (and hopefully will be rewarded with more movies featuring this partnership).


Despite the success of Love and Other Drugs, Ed Zwick is part of an interesting article in the Telegraph today that examines what we the audience wants from our movie-going experience (after all, it's certainly not a cheap activity) and what directors want to give us. While some, such as Zwick, argue that the biggest movies now are not so much about good character acting as a dazzling effect, others, like David Fincher, put it that the role of the director is to make the audience feel uncomfortable - to challenge what we expect. This is not a world away from Jake's oft-voiced creed: 'It’s important for me to make choices that make people feel uncomfortable'.


An intriguing argument, although my own opinion is that it depends how often you're able to go to the cinema... If you're only able to go a couple of times a year, you may want something a little more escapist. However, if you're fortunate to go frequently, as I do, then bring it on.



We are in a new decade and so amongst the reviews of the Noughties is this article by the LA Times that considers the top film characters of the last ten years. It's of no surprise to me that among the list is Jack and Ennis:

'The tent. The look. Ennis and Jack (the late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, respectively) struggled to maintain a forbidden relationship in "Brokeback Mountain," which won Oscars and racked up box office dollars. The lead actors' performances bled into mainstream consciousness as Jack's line "I wish I knew how to quit you" entered the general vernacular.'

I like to think that in another ten years, when critics look back on the twenty tens, that there's another landmark role by Jake to cherish. I think it's very possible. One at least.

Wonderful pics of Jake and David Fincher at Eden Roc, near Cannes, 2007, thanks to IHJ.