88. Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain)

88. I've gushed on Brokeback Mountain more than any other movie this side of The English Patient, and the bulk of that praise is geared toward the fantastic Heath Ledger and Ang Lee's clever direction. Yet it's impossible to imagine the film without the sweet heart of Jake Gyllenhaal.

Gyllenhaal manages to combine a needy sense of belonging with a self-imposed obligation of masculinity. He is torn between his need to be the rough-and-tumble cowboy that he was raised to be, and the tender heart that he exudes as he hopes and prays that his one true love Ennis will someday come to his senses and profess his love. Watching his face shatter with every chance for hope, watching him regain trust in Ennis, only to have it ripped away by fate or ill-timing: it's a heartbreaking piece that Gyllenhaal pieces together, and his Jack Twist is anything but nasty-he's a film character for the ages. With all due respect to Mr. George Clooney, he robbed blind one of the best performances by a young actor given ever-not just this past year.

A Jake marathon? Maybe a little of that sweet young nerd in October Sky, perhaps some disaffected soldiering in Jarhead, maybe even take a gander at how Jake can be watchable in dreck like Day After Tomorrow. No matter, as long as you end with Brokeback, you'll be all set.