Bubble Boy (2001) Jake Gyllenhaal, Swoosie Kurtz, Marley Shelton, Danny Trejo Movie Review

Bubble Boy (2001)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Jake Gyllenhaal in Bubble Boy (2001)

Jimmy Goofo

When Jimmy Livingston (Jake Gyllenhaal) was born they discovered he had no auto-immune system which meant one germ could kill him. For his mum it meant keeping Jimmy in a giant protective bubble in his room with her teaching him everything he needs to know. And that was fine until Chloe (Marley Shelton) moves in next door and the two form an unusual relationship. When it looks like Chloe is getting married to another guy Jimmy builds a bubble suit so he can go outside and prevent her as he loves her. But it is a big unknown world out there for Jimmy and his bubble suit especially as Chloe is going to Niagara Falls to get married.

Goofy is probably the most accurate word to describe the amusing, weird yet strangely entertaining "Bubble Boy". The thing is that "Bubble Boy" is so curious, so goofy and offbeat it is impossible to review because as with all goofy movies, especially one which is a road trip movie, it is a series of comical set pieces. As such whilst we have this storyline which sees Jimmy on this quest to get to Niagara Falls to tell Chloe he loves her whilst his controlling mum tries to find her little bubble boy that is not what drives the movie.

Swoosie Kurtz in Bubble Boy (2001)

Now to give you just an idea of the craziness which goes on in "Bubble Boy" we have a scene where Jimmy calls his mum in a panic when he gets his first boner which culminates with pledging allegiance to the flag. But then we have Jimmy hooking up with Danny Trejo who plays a Mexican biker, yes we have a scene where Jimmy in a giant bubble is riding on the back of his bike. And I could go on because that is all you really get, strange encounters to match Jimmy's strange hair. And they are tame compared to some scenes which wouldn't have been about of place in "Freddy Got Fingered"

As such "Bubble Boy" rest heavily on the young and comically enthusiastic shoulders of Jake Gyllenhaal who in the same year this was released also starred in the poles apart "Donnie Darko". I wouldn't say so much that Gyllenhaal has a gift for comedy but he certainly delivers over the top with plenty of gusto which is what his character calls for. It is the same else where with Swoosie Kurtz and Danny Trejo also embracing the over the top, goofy nature of their characters and the movie.

What this all boils down to is that "Bubble Boy" is a goofy movie and one which whilst little more than a collection of goofy set pieces is likely to make you smile for being so goofy.


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