It’s sad to see anyone go too soon, and moviegoers were shocked to hear of Jean-Marc Vallée’s recent passing. Recent reports say his cause of death was a heart attack while at his cabin in Quebec City. Oscar-winning actors quickly took to social media to sing praises for the renowned Canadian filmmaker, who had studied film at the L’Université de Montréal before producing a number of critically acclaimed short films. His debut feature Black List (1995) was nominated for nine Genie Awards and kicked off a decorated career in Hollywood. In 2014, he became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Director’s Branch.
Vallée also ventured into television in recent years by executive producing and directing two projects for HBO: the drama series Big Little Lies (2017) and the thriller miniseries Sharp Objects (2018). For the former, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing. In remembrance of the talented filmmaker, here’s a closer look at Jean-Marc Vallée’s top five feature films among an impressive body of work.
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5 Demolition (2015)
Via Fox Searchlight
Demolition was Vallée’s final feature film before his death. The upbeat comedy-drama follows Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), a successful private equity fund partner who struggles after losing his wife in a car accident. Despite pressure from his father-in-law (Chris Cooper) to pull it together, Davis continues to unravel—all the while sporting a trademark set of headphones. What starts as a complaint letter to a vending machine company turns into a series of letters revealing startling personal admissions. Davis’ letters catch the attention of customer service rep Karen (Naomi Watts), and the two form an unlikely connection. With the help of Karen and her son Chris (Judah Lewis), Davis starts to rebuild, beginning with the “demolition” of the life he once knew. Demolition received mixed reviews from critics and ended up grossing just $1.1 million in its opening weekend. Gyllenhaal’s dedication to the role, however, makes this Vallée film a must-see.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
4 The Young Victoria (2009)
Momentum Pictures
This hit British period piece spawned a bidding war upon its premiere in the U.K. The story follows Princess Victoria of Kent (Emily Blunt), who has been dominated by her possessive mother (Miranda Richardson) and bullying consort (Mark Strong) since childhood. Victoria, however, refuses to allow them the power of acting as her regent during the last days of her uncle’s rule, King William IV (Jim Broadbent). Her German cousin Albert (Rupert Friend) is then encouraged to court her for solely political motives, but following her accession at age 18, finds he is falling for her. Victoria is impressed by Albert’s philanthropy, which is akin to her own desire to help her subjects, and the rest is history.
Critical reception was generally positive, and Blunt received various nominations for her role. At the 63rd BAFTA ceremony, The Young Victoria won for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hair. The film also received the 2010 Academy Award for Costume Design.
3 C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)
Via TVA Films
This hit coming-of-age film tells the story of Zac, a young gay man dealing with homophobia while growing up with four brothers and his father in Quebec during the 1960s and 70s. To his devout Catholic mother, Zac is her miracle son, both for being born the same day as Jesus Christ (a fact which Zac has always hated), and because a Tupperware-selling mystic once told her that Zac has the power to heal. As Zac goes through his mid-teens to early 20s, Zac isn’t sure if he can live up to the ideals of either his mother or, more significantly, his father. A young man with stress-induced asthma, Zac just wants to be what he considers normal. The film employs an extensive soundtrack, featuring artists such as David Bowie, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones. In 2015, Toronto International Film Festival critics ranked it among the Top 10 Canadian Films of All Time. C.R.A.Z.Y. also has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 31 reviews.
2 Wild (2014)
With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision: With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone.
Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens and ultimately heals her. The film received positive reviews and was a box office hit, grossing $52.5 million against its $15 million budget. Witherspoon and co-star Laura Dern received nominations at the 87th Academy Awards for Best Actress and Supporting Actress, respectively.
1 Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Focus Features
Dallas, 1985. Electrician and part-time rodeo bull rider Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) lives hard, which includes heavy smoking, drinking, drug use and casual sex. While in the hospital on a work related injury, the doctors discover and inform him that he is HIV+, and that he will most-likely die within 30 days. Ron’s research of treating the disease eventually leads him to Mexico, where he begins to smuggle helpful drugs not approved by the FDA into the U.S., not only for his own use, but for sale to other HIV+ persons. Ron comes up with an idea to circumvent the laws against selling the drugs, where patients pay him a membership fee for his supply, AKA a “Dallas Buyers Club.”
It’s a fascinating true story that enlightens and inspires every time you hear and see it on the big screen. Dallas Buyers Clubgrossed over $52 million worldwide against a budget of just $5 million. The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of McConaughey and co-star Jared Leto, who received Best Actor and Supporting Actor Oscars respectively—making this the first film since Mystic River (2003) to win both awards. The film also won the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and garnered nominations for Best Picture, Original Screenplay and Editing.
Following Vallee’s recent passing, McConaughey took to Instagram to write, “With a gentle hand and heart Jean-Marc was a true receiver— he didn’t romanticize life so much as he saw life romantic—from the struggle to the pain to the wink and the whisper, love stories were everywhere in his eye.”
