Gyllenhaal peaked here

He is superb here and has been superb elsewhere. So…who knows.

https://zitzelfilm.wordpress.com

Funny enough, for years this was the only performance of his which left a great impression on me. I saw some of his later work and, while I thought he was a fine actor who could be great at times, he never struck me as a rare talent or anything. Destined to be one of his generation’s greatest? As great as he was in Donnie Darko, I wouldn’t have bet on it...

But come in End of Watch, Prisoners, Nightcrawler, South Paw, etc. and yeah, the guy is without a doubt one helluva actor. He is intense, commanding, immersive, and basically chameleon-like.

His performance as Donnie still stands as one of a kind (it’s my personal favorite), but his talents as an actor have grown significantly.

Strange way to spell "catapulted".

I disagree. I think he's an excellent actor, and has made excellent films since then. But then that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.


😎

I think he's good in here and other things he did later. Although I don't know what I'd personally consider to be his best.
One aspect of his performance I didn't like in Donnie Darko was his stupid baby voice he'd use when he was under hypnosis or trance while talking to Frank.

That was you peaking. JG still has the nonplussed face but he's done better since then. Noticed I said nonplussed and not pussy. I didn't like Donnie Darko because of the multiple endings, but Gyllenhaal can still act.