Watch Demolition

Demolition is a 2015 drama film directed by Jean-Marc Valle and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, and Chris Cooper. The story is about a successful investment banker named Davis Mitchell (Gyllenhaal) who struggles to reconnect with his emotions after his wife dies in a car accident. The film opens with Davis and his wife, Julia (Heather Lind), driving on a highway when they are hit by a truck. Julia dies instantly, but Davis manages to survive with only a few scratches. However, his emotional state is shaken, and he finds himself unable to remember how he felt about Julia or his life before the accident.

As Davis tries to cope with his grief, he begins to focus on the physical destruction around him. He starts taking apart and demolishing things like his refrigerator, his bathroom stall, and his work computer. He also starts writing letters to the customer service department of a vending machine company, expressing his frustrations with their faulty machine and eventually forming a bond with the customer service representative Karen Moreno (Watts).

Davis meets Karen in person after she calls him to tell him that his letters have been flagged as unusual. They start to develop a friendship, and Davis also becomes close with Karen's troubled son, Chris (Judah Lewis), who is dealing with his own personal demons. Their friendship helps Davis to start opening up about his feelings, and he begins to learn how to connect with people again.

Throughout the film, Davis also has interactions with his father-in-law, Phil (Cooper), who is a wealthy businessman and a pillar of the community. Phil is grieving the loss of his daughter, but he and Davis have different ideas about how to cope with their grief. Davis is more interested in breaking down and destroying his old life, while Phil wants to preserve Julia's memory and legacy.

As the story progresses, Davis begins to question the direction of his life and what truly matters to him. He realizes that he has been living a lie, pretending to be happy and successful when he was really just going through the motions. He starts to make changes, including quitting his job and selling his fancy house, to try and find a new sense of purpose.

Demolition is a powerful and emotional film about grief, loss, and the search for meaning in life. The film is anchored by a strong performance from Gyllenhaal as Davis, who brings both intensity and vulnerability to the role. Watts is also excellent as Karen, who provides a much-needed connection for Davis to the outside world.

The film deals with some heavy themes, but it is not without its lighter moments. Davis's letters to the vending machine company are often comedic, and his interactions with Chris provide some heartwarming and humorous moments. The film also has a great soundtrack, featuring songs from artists like The Pixies, Heart, and Donovan.

Overall, Demolition is a well-crafted and engaging film that explores the human condition in a poignant and thought-provoking way. The film may not be for everyone, but those who appreciate character-driven dramas with a touch of humor and heart will find it to be a rewarding experience.