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So, now by understanding Gyllenhaal’s career, what exactly can we make out of it? First up, I believe that Gyllenhaal is a terrifically underrated actor. Pulling off comedy and drama with great deft, Gyllenhaal seems up for the challenge for any role that Hollywood offers him. Unlike most young actors, Gyllenhaal did not follow the money, instead doing more interesting fare that might not have built up his asking quote, but certainly put him in the back of the mind of casting directors and winning the respect of his peers. However, one role that Jake can’t seem to pull of is the part of an action hero. While he is amiable in Prince of Persia, there is just something goofy about him in that type of part. Jake can do comedy, but when it comes to saving the world with a rugged expression, he falls flat. While this can hinder some of his parts (although the poor script does play a part in his lackluster performance), I would love to see Jake in more comedy roles as he gamely wins laughs in Love and Other Drugs. However, with such an eclectic resume without the typical broad comedy or romance film, Jake’s seat-filling power is still questioned by moguls. I believe Jake can certainly open a film and bring a great amount of publicity to a production. With that said, I do not believe his name alone translates to box office success. His name to audiences means quality, but in today’s world of marketing and hype, prestige can’t sell a movie alone – though it can surely boast it to higher totals.

The best test of his drawing power may be this April’s sci-fi thriller Source Code. Being sold solely on Gyllenhaal without anything else to fall back on, we might finally be able to get a true taste of his paycheck-to-gross ratio.

With the cast, crew, and studio probably wishing Bubble Boy could be permanently erased (and viewers such as myself wanting it to be erased from their minds), the film is one to definitely miss. Hosting an unusually great group of actors (Danny Trejo! Zach Galifianakis! Swoosie Kurtz!), the performers attempt to work miracles on a script that obviously wasn’t there, Bubble Boy can’t even get inflated.

Verdict: Not With Us
2 out of 10

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