Rent Demolition (2015)

Quirky, Odd Drama - Demolition review by GI

This is a quirky melodrama that never quite nails its colours properly and despite a gallant effort from Jake Gyllenhaal this film is muddled and a bit empty. He plays Davis, a successful investment banker married to his boss' (Chris Cooper) daughter. When she is killed in a car accident Davis' emotions are sent spiralling out of control as he tries to grieve like others around him and begins to question his whole place in life. This manifests in his continual need to break things or at least take them apart, including his house! He finds friendship, in the most unconvincing way, with Karen (Naomi Watts) and her wayward son, Chris (Judah Lewis) to help him re-establish his life. You're never quite sure where the narrative is going though and by the end you'll not really care either because it veers about and concludes rather mawkishly and disappointingly. Watts is underused and indeed disappears for a large section of the film making her casting seem wasted. Cooper is always good as the no nonsense father figure baffled by his son in law's attitudes and actions. But other than that this has the kernel of a good idea, the script is a bit odd at times, and overall the film is disappointing.

Sensitive and inventive portrayal of loss - Demolition review by DJ

Tragedy strikes a husband with a beautiful home, a successful career and a marriage to his boss's daughter. Already numb with dissatisfaction he doesn't react to his loss but instead goes through an existential examination. Questioning the structure of his life and dismantling the structure of his surroundings he finds a way to be true to himself. This film is quirky, assured and questioning.

If you like Jean-Marc Vallée's other work you'll probably enjoy this too.