Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Stargazing



Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson's Broadway debut opened in previews Tuesday night at the Samuel Friedman Theatre. The costars spoke to Vogue about Constellations:

During a lunch break in a midtown rehearsal room I meet the pair of actors charged with finding those qualities, both of whom saw and fell in love with the play in London. Though Gyllenhaal has four films in the can, he has been increasingly drawn to the stage, most recently playing a drifter with boundary issues in If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet. Wilson, an off-kilter beauty, first made a splash as a young governess in the 2006 BBC miniseries of Jane Eyre and has since become a star in the U.S. as the mysterious Montauk waitress on Showtime’s The Affair—though she is a stage veteran with two Olivier awards. “I’d just done five months with a camera in my face and was quite keen to get back onstage and back into my body,” Wilson says. “But I wanted something that challenged me in a different way.”

“I think the thing that makes it challenging, and ultimately why I wanted to do it,” Gyllenhall adds, “is that it feels as if underneath the words is—forgive the pun—a universe of choices. And there will never be a night when those choices will be the same. Even in the past two days, we’ve interpreted certain scenes at least five ways.”




“That’s the genius of it,” says Wilson. “It’s a huge, universal theme, but told through a love story. It makes your mind spin with ideas and thoughts about all the options available to you, but also about how fate plays a role—maybe you don’t actually have any free will at all. Nick has a huge heart, along with an amazing intellect, and he combines the two in a really beautiful, simple way.”

“And the type of work we know we have to do,” Gyllenhaal adds quickly, “is a little terrifying for both of us—or maybe I should just speak for myself.”

“No, no,” Wilson says with a nervous laugh. “You can speak for me.”


The costars have been mitigating their terror through preparation: Gyllenhaal has been studying books on beekeeping, while Wilson has been watching documentaries about cosmology and spending time at a planetarium. Their job, of course, is to bring to life the vivid particulars of the relationship between their characters—one of whom sees life through the microcosm of the beehive while the other looks toward the vastness of space.

“It makes me think of all the permutations of relationships,” Gyllenhaal says. “Times when I’ve approached somebody and they haven’t been interested, or someone’s approached me and I haven’t been interested, or maybe things felt really, really right but it still didn’t work out—every incarnation possible. We’ve all had those moments.”




There won't be any reviews until the play officially opens. But on a rainy Tuesday night, many fans seemed happy to wait for the stars at the stage door:




Jake and the Nightcrawler crew have also continued to receive gold stars from critics groups. Jake topped the Village Voice critics poll as Best Actor, as well as polls from the Austin and San Diego film critics. (I think I've missed some, but we'll post a tally later.)

64 comments:

bobbyanna said...

(sigh.) UV the photos of Jake & Ruth are gorgeous, especially that first one from Vogue. Nice to see that people braved the rain to get pictures with Jake last night. So happy for him. He looks tired, but in a good way : )


As NC continues to generate praise from various film critics, etc., I noticed today that the Library of Congress just announced 25 films, including Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Saving Private Ryan, that have been added to the National Film Registry.

While none of Jake's movies are currently included in the Registry, I was happy to see that Brokeback Mountain, Donnie Darko, October Sky, and Jarhead are all on the list of nominees. At some future point they will be included...but not yet. : /.

I was also pleased to discover that anyone can nominate a film for the registry just by sending an e-mail. Maybe the more nominations a film gets, the more attention the decision makers might pay. Don't know how that happens.

Monica said...

The 21 Best Performances Of 2014

1. Jake Gyllenhaal in “Nightcrawler”

Jake Gyllenhaal is so brilliant in "Nightcrawler" that it almost feels like it's a breakthrough performance. In reality, he's been slowly surging ever since 2011's “Source Code,” and through gritty and psychologically pulsating turns in “End of Watch,” “Enemy,” and “Prisoners,” he's landed what's sure to stay one of his most memorable roles, giving the performance of his career thus far. His Louis Bloom has been compared to Travis Bickle and Patrick Bateman, and the sociopathic similarities are certainly there, but Gyllenhaal has evolved far beyond merely channeling other actors' performances. He's made the demented, determined and diabolical Lou Bloom completely his own creation. Losing pounds for the role in order to embody a starved vulture, Gyllenhaal connects with Dan Gilroy's crackling dialogue as if he's been speaking it since birth. No one else this year will transfix you to the screen, almost through sleep-deprived glazed hypnosis, while simultaneously creeping you the fuck out. Gyllenhaal manages to make the audience root for a scumbag, and with Lou Bloom, has his name etched in the hall of fame for playing twisted maniacs.

Piruleta said...

I discovered this play is being played here in Spain too, they wrote some nice support messages in their twitter account. I might try to go and see it.

bobbyanna said...

Piruleta, that's wonderful news. I hope you will get a chance to see it!

Hagen said...

"Constellations" is played in Germany (Hamburg) as well. It seems to be an international hit.

Jake is campaigning for a BAFTA nomination. xD

Evening Standard: London is my favourite city, says Nightcrawler actor Jake Gyllenhaal as he stars in Constellations on Broadway
He said: “My closest friends all live in London and I’ve spent cumulatively many years in London working in different media.
“London is my favourite city in the world. I tend to love overcast days so that might be part of it.”

Jess said...

"He said: “My closest friends all live in London and I’ve spent cumulatively many years in London working in different media."

LOL. He might be campaigning but I believe he has said this comment before NC on different British talk shows.

I love overcast days too, something comforting about them for me.

Hagen said...

The staff of "Slant" listed their top 20 film performances of 2014 in no particular order: Jake Gyllenhaal in Enemy. Jake Gyllenhaal just gets better with age, and in Denis Villeneuve's oneiric Enemy, he deftly shifts between two characters with dissonant personalities, with both seeking to escape a world of oppressive repetition: There's Adam, the meek college professor who struggles to even form sentences, and Anthony, the cocky and assured actor who's all raging id. Whenever they're on screen together, it's almost too easy to forget we're watching the same actor.

First Look: Jake Gyllenhaal in "Everest said...

http://jake-gyllenhaal.com/gallery-updates/magazines/first-look-jake-gyllenhaal-in-everest/

UltraViolet said...

I'm a bad blogger. I saw Constellations opening night and haven't checked in yet. Jake is great in the play, as is Ruth Wilson. They have good chemistry, and the play is inventive, funny, sad. It is also really short. I think it could use another 15 minutes or so.

Jake does a very good British accent, to my ear. (Ruth does not use an American accent, as was reported somewhere.)

The crowd seemed to enjoy it. The people behind me were flummoxed at first, but then got into it. The two older women sitting next to us also enjoyed the play.

It was not a full house, but almost full. There were some empty seats on one side of the front row, from what I could see, and some scattered elsewhere.

I did not want to wait in the rain, but I'm happy some people did wait and got photos. There was a small crowd of hearty souls waiting out there.

I've seen a few reports from other tweeters and will try to post them here. The Broadway World posters who went were decidedly unimpressed with the play, but they all gave Jake and RW good marks.

UltraViolet said...

Oh, yay - finally something on Everest. Would be nice if we got a teaser trailer or something.

I am happily astonished by all the critics' awards for Jake and NC. It will make an Oscar snub even worse. But also a little easier to take.

Nice shout out for Enemy in Slant. When you think that Jake had Enemy, Nightcrawler and now Constellations all in one year… that's pretty impressive.

Bobbyanna, I assume BBM will make it to the Library of Congress someday. Zodiac, too, probably. And perhaps Nigtcrawler and Donnie Darko. Would love to see Jarhead and OCtober Sky, as well.

Monica said...

Finally something about Everest. :)

Happy you enjoyed the play, UV.

The Broadway World posters who went were decidedly unimpressed with the play
Hope it will not be like If There Is.

Piruleta said...

Thank you Bobbyanna, they are touring around the country, I hope they make a stop near where I live :)

So cool having some news about Everest! I couldn't buy The Climb finally because the translated book is pending a reprint.

UV I'm glad you enjoyed the play.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to our wonderfully talented, incredibly handsome, highly intelligent, soulfully kind Jake. Wishing you the most spectacular year yet.

X malavika

Hagen said...

That's great that you had the opportunity to watch "Constellations", UV. I've read that the play has a runtime of 1 h 10 min. I'm not really concerned how the audience or critics will receive the play. It looks like a fun project for Jake.

The Las Vegas Film Critics Society placed "Nightcrawler" on #4 in their "Top 10 Films of 2014" list. All accolades for "Nightcrawler" are on Wikipedia.

And happy birthday to Jake, of course!

bobbyanna said...

A Very Happy Birthday Jake !
Maybe someone close to Jake will stop by, so they can tell him what great fans he has @ Gyllebabble!

Chica said...

Wishing Jake a very Happy birthday!

Thanks for your thoughts on Constellations UV, I can't wait to se it myself!

Mary said...

Happy Birthday Jake you have had a good year.

Monica said...

Happy birthday, Jake!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Jake!!!

LikeMonalisa

Anonymous said...

UV, you say Jake and Ruth was great, but did you also like the concept of the play? I mean for me it sounds very unique this kind of play with parallel universes, and play sort of decisions I didn't do in another reality. Was it interesting? Thanks. SV

BlueJean said...

Happy birthday, dear Jake! May 2015 be just as terrific for you as 2014 was - that way all of us on this wonderful blog will have a terrific year with you! :)

Anonymous said...

"Hope it will not be like If There Is."

Monika what did you mean by this? Was there any negative critics on this? I haven't read anything how this play was reviewed. SV

Happy Birthdaay Jake said...

Ellen DeGeneres ‏@TheEllenShow 13m13 minutes ago

Haapy Birthdaay Jake Gyllenhaal!

Well,Like Ellen sadid!

Hagen said...

Jake is runner-up at the Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.

Hagen said...

Don't post while shopping for Christmas: the correct link to the Florida Film Critics Circle Awards.

Monica said...

SV, there were some negative reviews for If There Is, but Jake's performance was highly praised.

Office of Nancy Pelosi said...

Congratulations again Jake and Happy Birthday!!

Anonymous said...

Btw. after all these nominations and critics, Jake Gyllenhaal is lock for Oscars for sure, there is no way how they can miss him, three weeks ago he was probably sixth in the row, but now he is third lock, even before Redmayne. SV

Anonymous said...

Seems they had good times and got drunk both LOL. SV

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2880962/Jake-Gyllenhaal-Affair-s-Ruth-Wilson-cosy-wrap-arms-dinner-date-NYC.html

nice :) said...

17 Times Jake Gyllenhaal Was So Perfect It Was Actually Painful


http://www.buzzfeed.com/kristinharris/god-bless-jake-gyllenhaal?utm_term=4ldqpia&bftw=celeb#.qoL9o8Dn5

bobbyanna said...

LOL! Poor Jake! He looks "exhausted."

Hot Mess said...

Happy birthday, Jacob Benjamin!

Jake is having such a good year, likely one of the best and fullest. Nothing we'd wish him could match what he's living right now. Caping a year of filming 3 movies with Broadway previews and finding your name on every frelling nomination list (since SAG at least) for the little engine that could Nightcrawler it's beyond expectations. Indie, SAG, Globes, BFCA, Village Voice, London Circle, Dublin, other 5-6 critics nods and wins I've lost count, if it's all a dream don't wake me up.

I hope he's having a drink now with Ruth, the director, his family and friends, enjoying all the blessings of a very good year (courtesy of ole blue eyes Sinatra) Here's to you, Jake!

Jess said...

"Seems they had good times and got drunk both LOL"

From the pics I saw at IHJ before the Daily Mail pics, it looked like Ruth had one too many and Jake was holding her up. But the Daily Mail will put its own spin on things.

Happy Birthday Jake

Piruleta said...

And then there's eonline assuming they are dating lol

Here's an "old" interview with Dan Gilroy, you probably have already read it but it's new to me so just in case I'm posting the link. Lots of deep talk about Lou/Jake.

Hagen said...

The Nevada Film Critics Society named Jake "Best Actor". Yay!

Hagen said...

I've forgot to mention that the Nevada Film Critics Society honored Dan Gilroy as "Best Director" and for the "Best Screenplay". :-)

Sag Actor said...

A belated happy birthday to Jake and may you have continued success in the new year, rock on!

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday Jake. I hope you get tons of awards for nightcrawler

Lily

Meg said...

I'll watch Jake Gyllenhaal's show.Next Marth!!I want to see him at the stage door. Can't wait!!

Meg said...

Happy Birthday Jake!!From Japan!

Piruleta said...

Constellations review

Piruleta said...

Here is the link, sorry http://patch.com/new-york/southampton/review-constellationsstaring-ruth-wilsonjake-gyllenhaal-0

Anonymous said...

Nona Abuela @NonaAbuela · 3h 3 hours ago
@SusanSarandon sighting @MTC_NYC Costellations with #JakeGyllenhaal, @BroadwayBuzz


Sasha Aulakh
‏@SashaAulakh
#JakeGyllenhaal 😍 https://twitter.com/SashaAulakh/status/547001934146961408

UltraViolet said...

I went to the show again on Friday (Jake's birthday). There was no cake or any other indication that it was his birthday. I did hear that RDJ was there, but I didn't see him.

I think that Patch review is correct that Ruth's part is the showier, more freewheeling. Unlike If There Is, in which Jake's character was the dynamo, the force, his character is more grounded.

Depending on how many spoilers people want, I can describe Jake's various standout scenes.

The friend who went with me on Friday really loved the play and loved Jake. He's a Jake fan but not a fanatic. He didn't know anything about the play going in, which worked well. (Because I knew what the play is ostensibly about/how it unfolds, I think I was expecting something a little different.)

Jess said...

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/grand-budapest-hotel-named-years-best-by-southeastern-film-critics-association

Top 10
"Birdman"
"Boyhood"
"Foxcatcher"
"Gone Girl"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"The Imitation Game"
"Nightcrawler"
"Snowpiercer"
"The Theory of Everything"
"Whiplash"



http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/birdman-and-mommy-lead-vancouver-film-critics-circle-nominations

This never gets old seeing Jake's name and Nightcrawler and now Enemy

Best Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
Jake Gyllenhaal, "Nightcrawler"
Michael Keaton, "Birdman"


Best Canadian Film
"Enemy"
"Mommy"
"Tu dors Nicole"


Best Actor in a Canadian Film
Jake Gyllenhaal, "Enemy"
Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, "The Husband"
Antoine-Olivier Pilon, "Mommy"



Winners will be announced on Jan. 5.

Monica said...

Depending on how many spoilers people want, I can describe Jake's various standout scenes.

I'm not going to see the play, so ...

Mary said...

Same here:)

Anonymous said...

I watched NC again last nite and was blown away by Jake AGAIN! UV - I'm going to watch Constellations but a few spoilers are welcome! Just adds to my building excitement:)

- malavika

BlueJean said...

Yaaaaaaay for the nominations for 'Enemy' - as always. It may not be Jake's big 2014 film, to me it's special. Love love love him in it.

I'm not going to see the play, so ...

Same here. All spoilers are welcome! :)


Anonymous said...

I'd appreciate some spoilers too. SV

Anonymous said...

The same here, too, UV!
I've read the play... I'm wondering how they adapted some moments on stage...
Tina

BlueJean said...

I'm thinking of buying the book - is the play any good or fun to read, Tina?

Anonymous said...

I liked it, BlueJean! I think it's good and original, even if not so excellent as I supposed after reading comments and reviews... but it's still fun to read... an intriguing and very quick reading...
Of course, I should see the show on stage :)
Tina

nice :) said...

Susan Sarandon ‏@SusanSarandon 6m6 minutes ago

Saw #Constellations @MTC_NYC on Sunday. So moving and funny. A real joy to see #JakeGyllenhaal and #RuthWilson do their thing.
0 replies 4 retweets 13 favorites

Tweety said...

That is nice of Susan! Been busy with Christma doings, I hope Jake had a fantastic birthday! So excited for all the praise for Jake and NC.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on Constellations UV !

Wishing everyone here a very happy holiday season!

Mary said...

Merry Christmas to everyone' here who celebrates.

Anonymous said...

Meryl Christmas everyone :)

LikeMonalisa

Anonymous said...

Sorry for misspelling!

Merry X'mas! :)

Unknown said...

Hi, lately I have been just a lurker. Too many things to do and very litlle time and Sofia is in the " terrible twos" I have my hands full with her!

Just want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas!

Monica said...

Merry Christmas!!

bobbyanna said...

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!!!


Paula C. How nice to "see" you! I hope you are well. The Terrible Twos already? Time flies, doesn't it!

Chica said...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hot Mess said...

Merry Christmas to all of you! Happy Hollydays with your family and friends!
To the lucky ones who'll see Jake's play: have a mighty great time and please share the experience with us here.

UltraViolet said...

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah! I put up a new post.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, no matter what you celebrated.

And hello to Paula! I can't believe your baby is in the Terrible Twos. Time does fly. Thanks for stopping in. Come back again when you have time :)