It’s something of a minor crime that people don’t know the name Jean-Marc Vallée. But that may be due to the stealthy nature of his career that has seen him hunker down and knock out film after film that were acclaimed, and yet somehow, the spotlight always managed to miss shining on him.
His breakout film was 2005’s coming-of-age tale “C.R.A.Z.Y.,” which struggled to get distribution in the U.S. due to its excellent (and expensive) classic rock soundtrack. That was followed by the Martin Scorsese-produced (and underrated) period drama “The Young Victoria.” From there Vallée made “Cafe De Flore,” which admittedly didn’t get much of an audience, but last year he was behind “Dallas Buyers Club,” and yet the entire conversation around that movie was about Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. But, Jake Gyllenhaal knows talent when he sees it much like Hollywood who’s been on him like a hawk ever since ‘Dallas Buyers’ blew up during last year’s awards season (his next picture comes “Wild” starring Reese Witherspoon comes out in December via Fox Searchlight).
The actor is in talks for Vallée’s next, next film “Demolition,” and it’s certainly a promising pairing. Penned by Bryan Sipe, the film follows a young banker who goes into a downward spiral after the death of his wife, and from his own emotional disconnect from it, but finds rescue in a chance encounter with a woman. It sounds like another meaty, complex role for Gyllenhaal who is making some of the most interesting choices of any actor these days, and hopefully this comes together.
So, Jean-Marc Vallée—tattoo that name on your brain and don’t forget it. His time to shine is due any day now. [Variety]
Cafe de Flore was so good, i was wondering why no one ever mentioned it when it came out. I just stumbled upon it on netflix instant. Him and Denis (Prisoners) are going to blow up in the next few years just watch. Canada power!
"It's something of a minor crime that people don't know the name Jean-Marc Vallée."
Or it's because, for example, you chose to reference him in your headline by his latest film rather than his name.
I wish Jean-Marc Vallee would reunite with Emily Blunt.