The ever-brilliant Jake Gyllenhaal might just be the most unique male performer in modern Hollywood. There is no question that he is the most consistently brilliant actor currently at work in the United States. His ability to seamlessly morph into his characters – embody their flesh and bone with such urgency and authenticity – is remarkable, and it is an unfathomable disservice that he is rarely congratulated by award ceremonies for such work.
Starring as a deeply haunted boxing supremo in Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw – out in UK cinemas on Friday 24th July – we take a look back at some of this incredible actor’s finest work.
You can see our Six of the Best for his Southpaw co-star Rachel McAdams here.
End of Watch
There are few visual filmmakers at work who sculpt a frame like David Ayer. His lens bleeds with brutality, but does so with cinematic conviction. Never has his craft screened with more efficiency, vibrancy and bone-crunching realism than in his sensational police actioner End of Watch.
Gyllenhaal is wholly excellent as Brian Taylor who opts to video-document he and his partner Mike ‘Z’ Zavala’s (Michael Pena) adventures cruising through the mean ghettos of Los Angeles where drug-busts, gang violence and arms dealing are some of life’s most basic functions.
Whilst much of the film’s explosiveness comes from the impeccable filmic construction – flitting between first-person shooter, found-footage and stylishly flared procedural – the core of Ayer’s picture comes from the beautifully playful and often poignant relationship between the buddy cops.
