Demolition (2015)

Let's be realistic.

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

People writing negative reviews of this film are ignorant to their own detriment. No one having suffered blunt force trauma to the soul should write an opinion on a film about blunt force trauma to the soul.My child was shot in the face by a gun. I witnessed the aftermath of the carnage. My brain couldn't even begin to process what I had seen. Jake Gyllenhaal portrays the effects of such trauma as well as I've seen.If you write something negative, nothing truly negative has EVER occurred in your life.

Wait, we're supposed to believe that all this mourning is over someone who cheated on him and had an abortion behind his back? What? But I guess all sins are forgiven because of those big puppy dog eyes she had. Here, have a carousel. Then he tells the kid that he's going to have a hard life if he is gay, when we all know it's cooler to be gay than straight these days. Wait, but it gets even better when he apologizes to the parents that hid the cheating/abortion from him.

Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) works in Phil (Chris Cooper)'s small, rich investment firm. Despite Phil's objections, Davis marries his daughter Julia. Davis and Julia get into a car crash and Julia is killed. Davis is emotionally stunned and lost. He becomes obsessed with disassembling starting with his fridge. His complaint letters get the attention of customer service rep Karen (Naomi Watts) who has her own dysfunctions.This small movie about loss and dysfunction has some good potential. It definitely has some great actors. I want to push harder and put the characters in more danger. For example, the boy struggles with his sexuality but he could have had some great interactions with his schoolmates. There is drama left on the table. Davis and Karen have an interesting start but their relationship needs to be pushed. Karen's husband could have done more than follow him in the station-wagon. Its quiet losses leave the movie less than what it could have been.

Ten out of ten! How often is that? I go by gut feelings when rating, but even after a week I still feel the same. Demolition is about grief, but it's never dull or overly sentimental. All the characters are interesting. It's not spelled out for you, so you get nuances. The movie handles a very dark theme, but it does't feel heavy or depressing to watch it. On the contrary, it carries hope. The actors are superb, also the child. This film is portraying truth about the complexities of emotions, and how our society is ill-equipped to handle it. But sometimes what we need is not what we think...The atmosphere, music, filming and cutting all adds up. I highly recommend it.