Jake Gyllenhaal is not a leading actor yet

Rating: 8/10 (2 October 2011)

I would have given this film a higher rating ...except for the acting of Jake Gyllenhaal.
Mr. Gyllenhaal is an exasperating actor to view on film. On one hand, he always overacts–those blue eyes widen, his mouth slightly opens and the camera pans in for a close-up of Jake Gyllenhaal reacting to something. On the other hand, however, he possesses an intensity that is almost (but not quite) there that keeps me hoping all the time that he will make that leap from moderately-good technician to good actor--a leap which he hasn't managed to make yet.
I've seen him in quite a few movies now, and I am of the opinion that he doesn't allow himself to be free when he acts. This often comes from fear of self-discovery. We all wish he would let go because there is a lot to yet discover underneath that bland exterior.