Last spring Matthew McConaughey, former romantic comedy “sell-out,” turned his career completely around with a trio of achievements: winning an Oscar for the biopic “Dallas Buyers Club,” playing a scene stealer in “The Wolf of Wall Street” and earning an Emmy nomination for his breathtaking performance in “True Detective.”
Boosted by the Internet term “the McConaissance,” the actor not only experienced of the best comebacks in Hollywood history, but also paved the way for other stars in need of a little career boost.
The most obvious turnover at the moment would be McConaughey’s “Mud” co-star Reese Witherspoon. Critics and fans of Witherspoon have been waiting for the day the Oscar-winning actress would return to her indie/drama roots after a decade of leading romcoms and family films, while raising her own kids.
Already in 2014, Witherspoon has “The Good Lie,” released earlier this month, as well as P.T. Anderson’s adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s “Inherent Vice” and the biopic “Wild” coming in December. The actress is already one of the main contenders for Best Actress with “Wild” since the festival circuit.
Behind Witherspoon would be Keira Knightley in three anticipated and hyped features this year. She appears in “The Imitation Game” in her signature period piece genre, and two modern indie romantic comedies, “Begin Again” and “Laggies.” Knightley has steered away from the commercial films of 2010-12 to focus on a co-starring in a West End revival of “The Children’s Hour” and has also been enjoying marriage. Now back in the game, the star is attracting attention all over the movie circles.
The most surprising comeback of the season is probably Michael Keaton as the lead in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s “Birdman,” playing a fictional movie star whose career is eerily similar to his own. Though not an autobiography, the artsy film has created the most cinematic attention Keaton’s gotten in years. Comparisons have been widely made to the fake superhero Birdman and Keaton’s own Batman, and the comedian-turned-actor is getting tons of acclaim for his portrayal.
While not entirely a comeback per say, comedic actor Steve Carell is the latest in funny actors giving serious, dramatic characters a try. His supporting role in Bennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher,” based on the true story of wrestler Mark Schultz, has him completely changing not only his usual persona, but also his face and voice to fit the eccentricities of sponsor John du Pont. The extreme makeover has had people talking since the festival season, but also has brought praise and awards speculations.
Hollywood has a reputation for not focusing too long on stars before moving forward to the next young hotshot. But as can be seen as a reminder in 2014, with the right movie and moment, the limelight can be found again.
Megan Bianco is a movie reviewer and also contributes other entertainment related features and articles.