Few actors in Hollywood enthral audiences like Jake Gyllenhaal. Ever since the 1980’s, Gyllenhaal has become an icon. Whether its sociopathic news reporters, corrupt police officers or boxers, Gyllenhaal has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies Gyllenhaal has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Brokeback Mountain
Gay people are rarely treated with respect in movies today. Hollywood has long held a history of building barriers against LGBTQ communities. On a personal level, I saw a gay cousin’s struggle. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was a person that my entire family would admire. Unaware that he was queer, I bonded with a cousin about whom I came to care. However, sexuality ended bonds forever. Due to sexuality, I grew distant from a cousin I used to value. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the back-breaking tension faced by queer individuals as powerfully as “Brokeback Mountain”. Released in 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of celebrating the LGBTQ community. In the greatest role of his career, Gyllenhaal embodies a queer cowboy carrying a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most sensitive role. Gyllenhaal excels at communicating emotions through strong expressions without speaking a single word. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Ennis have a tense argument about their doomed relationship represents one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Brokeback Mountain” Jake Gyllenhaal’s greatest movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a poignant message about love which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be members of the LGBTQ community to appreciate it. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about queer cowboys climbing mountains that experience a burden to bear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has created an impressive career by playing complicated characters in movies about which audiences care.
2. Nightcrawler
Night crime is a subject matter that has always fascinated my grandfather. Years ago, I bonded with a beloved grandfather that loved watching night crimes aired on television. He would always be excited to see heated crimes occurring on television that were unexpected. Through his passion for watching night crimes, my grandfather gave me a lifelong love for movies. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved watching night crimes, I adored “Nightcrawler”. Released in 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal’s movie offered a dark depiction of night crimes aired on television. In the most transformative role of his career, Gyllenhaal transforms into a sociopathic news reporter that evokes fear. It’s a larger-than-life role that gives Gyllenhaal an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for method acting. For instance, the job interview scene in which Lou Bloom interviews a potential candidate for his crime reporter position is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Nightcrawler” one of Gyllenhaal’s greatest movies is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message about the dangers posed by news media that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the profession of journalism to appreciate it. A captivating portrait of sociopaths that record crimes at night, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing characters with bright personalities in movies that excite.
3. Prisoners
Child abduction is a painful process putting families under stress. Years ago, my mother experienced panic when she lost my brother in a grocery store that was gigantic. Fearful my brother had been abducted, the incident left my mother emotionally affected. When my mother finally achieved the task of finding my brother, she felt extremely relieved. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the sheer terror of child abductions as powerfully as “Prisoners”. Released in 2013, Jake Gyllenhaal’s movie did an extraordinary job of depicting terrifying child abductions on the big-screen. In the most methodical role of his career, Gyllenhaal embodies a dedicated detective determined to find children that disappear out of thin air. It’s a role that gives the actor an opportunity to create a complex character through eccentric mannerisms. One of the unique mannerisms that Gyllenhaal uses throughout the movie is the eye twitch. Gyllenhaal’s twitching eyes convey the anxiety faced by his character under pressure. For instance, the scene in which detective Loki argues with Keller in his car showcases the actor’s unique mannerisms. Ultimately, what makes “Prisoners” one of Gyllenhaal’s greatest movies is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message about the dangers posed by child abduction that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of pressure faced by parents whose children are abducted in danger, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing complex characters in movies audiences treasure.
4. Zodiac
When it comes to the most notorious serial killers in American history, it’s worth discussing the Zodiac. During the 1960’s, the Zodiac was a dangerous serial killer terrorizing the San Francisco Bay Area in America. A methodical serial killer, the Zodiac got away with committing murders without a price to pay. In 2007, Jake Gyllenhaal did an extraordinary job of depicting a serial killer whose case detectives couldn’t crack in his film “Zodiac”. In the most focused role of his career, Gyllenhaal embodies an obsessive cartoon artist that’s driven to find a serial killer evoking fear. Gyllenhaal has always excelled at playing characters driven to achieve a goal, and this role allows him to showcase his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Robert investigates a murder suspect in a basement is the most intense work of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Zodiac” a masterpiece is its strong message. The film delivers a powerful message about the dangers of obsession which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies capturing lives of sadistic serial killers, it tackles universal themes that everyone will relate to. Nearly 60 years after the Zodiac serial killer got away with committing murders in the San Francisco Bay without a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.
5. Southpaw
It’s challenging to make an effective movie about boxing. Making movies about boxing often poses obstacles for actors that are demanding. Actors are required to show commitment towards gaining the muscular physiques of boxers which aren’t easy to achieve. That being said, in 2015 Jake Gyllenhaal pulled it off successfully when he made his film “Southpaw”. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Gyllenhaal transforms into a heavyweight boxer mourning the loss of a loved one that’s heartbreaking. Not only did Gyllenhaal gain the muscular physique of a boxer, but he captures the emotions of a broken character. For instance, the scene where Billy reacts with sadness to his wife’s gruesome murder is the most emotional work that the actor has ever done. Ultimately, what makes “Southpaw” standout in Gyllenhaal’s career is its meaningful message. Unlike most movies about boxing, it tackles universal themes which everyone would relate to It delivers a heartfelt message about overcoming loss which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking portrait of barriers faced by boxers seeking victories in the ring, it’s an inspiring reminder of an actor that thrives playing complex characters in movies worth celebrating.
6. Source Code
Originality is a rare quality seldom seen in the film industry. In Hollywood, most ideas for movies tend to be anything but original. Whether it’s sequels, reboots or adaptations, movies often draw upon existing source material. In an industry that has rarely shown sense of originality, it’s worth discussing “Source Code”. Released in 2011, Jake Gyllenhaal’s underrated science-fiction movie showcased rare originality in the film industry. In the most complicated role of his career, Gyllenhaal embodies an agent in a time loop causing fear. It’s a complex role giving the actor an opportunity to demonstrate his aptitude for playing characters in dangerous scenarios. A commemorated reminder that original ideas exist in Hollywood, it’s a sensational showcase for an actor that thrives playing multidimensional characters that are misunderstood.
7. Enemy
Double roles are challenging to pull off effectively in movies. It isn’t simple for actors to play two different characters at once in a movie. Playing two different characters often poses challenges for actors. Very few actors if any play double roles successfully. However, Jake Gyllenhaal demonstrated he could play double roles effectively in his movie “Enemy”. Released in 2013, Denis Villeneuve’s thought-provoking thriller found the actor playing two different characters with totally different personalities in the same movie. In the most challenging role of his career, Gyllenhaal embodies two vastly different characters interacting. An extraordinary portrait of a character embarking on a journey to find a dangerous enemy, it’s an excellent reminder of a movie-star thrives when given opportunities to take on risky roles in the film industry.
8. Donnie Darko
Jake Gyllenhaal is one of those actors drawn towards dark characters. Since his career began several years ago, Gyllenhaal has chosen dark roles playing characters whose lives are shrouded in a sense of mystery. Gyllenhaal’s strength for playing dark characters that go through traumatic situations is clearly evident in his film “Donnie Darko”. Released in 2001, Jake Gyllenhaal’s earliest role found the actor playing a traumatized teenager that endures a heavy emotional toll. It’s the breakthrough role that established Gyllenhaal as a serious leading actor destined for a bright future. As Donnie Darko, Gyllenhaal proved to be a promising young actor destined for stardom. As powerful as visions haunting Donnie Darko, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that achieved fame years ago that thrives playing dark characters facing sorrow.
9. The Day After Tomorrow
Over the past decade, the disaster movie genre has declined in quality. Like Titanic ships sinking to the bottom of the sea, disaster movies are no longer the successful films that they once used to be. With loud action, poor storytelling and lack of emotion, I find disaster movies a chore to sit through. That being said, “The Day After Tomorrow” is an exception. Released in 2004, Jake Gyllenhaal’s commemorated blockbuster elevated a genre audiences came to adore. In the most humane role of his career, Gyllenhaal portrays an ordinary graduate student caught in a climate disaster causing despair. Nearly 20 years following the release of a breathtaking blockbuster about climate disasters which cause the planet to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose memorable movies that resonate audiences appreciate.
10. Spider-Man: Far From Home
Few superheroes have achieved a fan following as massive as Spider-Man. Following creation during the 1960’s, the hero whose great powers come with great responsibilities has appeared in many movies. Each film has offered a different villain that challenges Spider-Man. In 2019, Jake Gyllenhaal stepped into the shoes of Spider-Man’s villain in “Spider-Man: Far From Home”. In his first ever comic-book role, Gyllenhaal embodied a villain causing Spider-Man’s life to spiral out of control. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase a villainous side that audiences hadn’t seen before. As powerful as webs Spider-Man seeks to weave, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to leave audiences captivated whose films I will forever treasure for inspiring me to believe there’s nothing I can’t achieve.
The Film Buff 
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