Summary
Over the years, I have become a big fan ofJake Gyllenhaal, and now that his 2022 action thriller is becoming a hit on Netflix, I’m happy it (and he) are getting the attention they deserve. Like many famous actors,Jake Gyllenhaal got his start at a very young age. The actor was only 11 when he appeared in the Western comedy,City Slickers.However, it took another decade for Gyllenhaal to really break through when he starred in 2001’sBubble Boy.Since then,Jake Gyllenhaal’s movieshave piled up and led to a number of unique and iconic roles.
What I love most about Jake Gyllenhaal’s careeris how much his roles vary. In just a few years, Gyllenhaal went from playing an awkward and serious cartoonist inZodiacto an unhinged creep who photographs crime scenes inNightcrawler.There are definitely trends to be picked up in the actor’s filmography, but even then, I never knowwhat’s going to come next for Gyllenhaal. The only thing I know for sure is that he will always put the same level of intensity into whatever role he has, which is what makes this Netflix hit one of my all-time favorites.
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Ambulance Has One Of Jake Gyllenhaal’s Most Intense Performances
What Makes Ambulance So Enjoyable
Out of Jake Gyllenhaal’s long catalog of movies and TV shows,Ambulanceis not the best project, but it is definitely one of the most entertaining. The movie follows Gyllenhaal’s Will, a man who is desperate for money to pay for his wife’s surgery. As a result, he and his adoptive brother decide to carry out a bank robbery. However, the crime doesn’t go according to plan, forcing Will and his brother to steal an ambulance with an EMT inside. An intense police chase ensues, and relationships new and old are put to the test.
Ambulanceis directed by Michael Bay.
On the surface,Ambulancemay seem like a somewhat silly action movie, but that is part of why I love it. The premise seems unrealistic, but the actors carry it out in full force, especially Gyllenhaal. I found myself becoming incredibly invested in what happened to Will, Cam, Zach, and Danny. The film has the overarching mystery of what is going to happen at the end, but it also brings up questions of morality for each of the characters. Ultimately,Ambulanceisn’tthe greatest movie ever made, but Gyllenhaal’s dedication makes it worth every second.
Why Michael Bay’s Ambulance Didn’t Perform Well At The Box Office
AlthoughAmbulanceearned a fairly standard 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie did poorly at the box office. On a notably small budget of $40 million, the film only grossed $52 million. There are a few factors that play into this situation. I think the most important thing was thatAmbulancewas released at the same time as two major blockbusters:Sonic the Hedgehog 2and the wide expansion ofEverything Everywhere All at Once.Both of these films grossed over $100 million, which almost definitely took the limelight off a smaller movie likeAmbulance.
IfAmbulancecame out now, post-Barbenheimer,the result might be different.
Furthermore, in 2022, movie theaters were still suffering from post-COVID fatigue. Audiences were much less interested in going to movie theaters, and instead, would wait for movies to start streaming. Clearly,Ambulancehas earned much more attention on Netflix, but as a result, the film’s premiere was lackluster. It was overshadowed and released at a time when movies were not top priority. IfAmbulancecame out now, post-Barbenheimer,the result might be different. Either way,Ambulancesuffered due to its release date, and the project hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves until now.
Ambulance Is A Strange Reminder Of How Great An Actor Gyllenhaal Is
Jake Gyllenhaal’s Best Performances Explained
Ultimately,Ambulance’snewfound success is the perfect time to recognize how great of an actor Jake Gyllenhaal is. Given a somewhat pulpy,unrealistic movie premise, Gyllenhaal manages to bring just the right amount of seriousness to it. Audiences can believe that what Will is going through is real. As a result,the entire movie feels more solid simply because of how much Gyllenhaal believes in it.Other movies have suffered because it feels as though the cast themselves are questioning the story. WithAmbulance,that is never a problem.
I don’t think Gyllenhaal’s acting chops should come as a surprise, though. The actor has received countless award nominations for a variety of films. He is not only great at what he does, but he is also versatile. He can embody just about any kind of character. From major franchises to indie art house films,Jake Gyllenhaal comes through in everything he does. In this way, I am thrilled to seeAmbulancegetting its time in the sun. It is just more proof thatJake Gyllenhaalis full of star power.
Ambulance
Cast
Michael Bay returns to the director’s chair with Ambulance, an action-thriller film that follows siblings Danny and Will Sharp in a high-stakes heist that goes terribly wrong. When Afghanistan veteran Will’s wife needs medical treatment they can’t afford, Will seeks help from his criminal-record-toting brother, Danny. To help him, Danny offers him the chance to join him on the biggest heist of his life, which would take care of his wife and more. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves hijacking an ambulance with a wounded officer and a stellar EMT as they attempt to fend off law enforcement in a bombastic unyielding chase across Los Angeles.
