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10 Essential Cinematic Antiheroes

Reese Witherspoon picked up the gold statue for "Walk The Line" and was one of the highest-paid stars around, thanks to the one-two punch of "Legally Blonde" and "Sweet Home Alabama." Since playing June Carter Cash, she's been relatively sparing in picking roles, with only five live-action-leads, plus "Monsters Vs. Aliens," and of those films, only "Four Christmases" was an unmitigated hit. "Rendition" was a critical and commercial flop, as was James L Brooks' "How Do You Know" (something that theoretically should have been in her sweet spot). "Water For Elephants" was a modest success, but any goodwill from that was sort of undone by this year's "This Means War," which remains one of the worst films of 2012 (although technically grossed more than 'Elephants' worldwide, though it cost more). What sums up most of these picks is that the young star of the brilliant "Election" doesn't seem to be anywhere to be found in these films. Fortunately, Witherspoon seems to have realized this too and change seems to be on the horizon; she got good notices for Jeff Nichol's "Mud" at Cannes, and stars in Atom Egoyan's forthcoming West Memphis Three drama "Devil's Knot." If she can keep away from the mooted "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" movie, all the better. She was up for Amy Adams' role in Paul Thomas Anderson's original version of "The Master" before it fell apart, and you can understand why, she's a terrific actor when she wants to be (see "Walk The Line"), but she could stand to make a lot better choices and become part of the dramatic A-list that Adams has now ascended to.
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It's about a decade since British actor Clive Owen started to be exposed to American audiences. The delayed release of 1998's "Croupier" ultimately became a surprise indie success, which saw Owen get a tiny and memorable role in "The Bourne Identity," star in "The Hire" series of short films for all-star directors like Wong-Kar Wai, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Ang Lee, and finally get picked out as a leading man. Those first few attempts -- "Beyond Borders" and "King Arthur" -- didn't pay off, but things went much better over the next few years, with an Oscar nomination for "Closer," and impressive turns in the successful duo of "Sin City" and "Inside Man," as well as a great performance in "Children Of Men." Things haven't been so great since the middle of the 00s, though. From "Shoot 'Em Up" to "Intruders," nothing really paid off (minus "Duplicity" that still didn't really connect with audiences, but a strong turn it was), with a villainous turn behind a silly mustache in Jason Statham vehicle "The Killer Elite" probably marking the low-point. In fairness, 2012 has been better with the acclaimed Sundance thriller "Shadow Dancer," and an Emmy nomination for "Hemingway & Gellhorn." With a lead in Guillaume Canet and James Gray's "Blood Ties" coming next year, hopefully that, and "Sin City 2" will put him back on top, though, because otherwise we're worried that a future on some network detective show may beckon and clearly the actor is far above that fare.

The career of Irish actor Colin Farrell has had more ups and downs than most -- it sometimes feels like Farrell's had multiple comebacks over the last decade or so. Ten years ago after starring in "Tigerland," Farrell was the hottest leading man in Hollywood, with parts in "Minority Report" and "Phone Booth" really putting him on the map, and blockbusters "Daredevil" and "S.W.A.T." on the way. But the actor's substance abuse problems reached a peak, at the same time that films like "Alexander" and "Miami Vice" proved to be expensive flops, and it seemed like he might be done as a Hollywood leading man. Farrell took time off, sobered up, and won acclaim for a terrific performance in Martin McDonagh's "In Bruges," seemingly taking stock again and choosing smaller, more interesting projects; absolutely the right thing to do. But Farrell's career since then has been unpredictable at best. "In Bruges" was a modest indie hit, but another terrific little home-grown project, Neil Jordan's "Ondine," went virtually unseen. He was a blast in an unlikely role in the comedy smash "Horrible Bosses," but only a month later top-lined "Fright Night," which was pretty much a disaster. And this summer, he had another tentpole lead, in "Total Recall," but the box office returns suggested he's not much more of a draw than he was half a decade ago. The studios keep trying though as Warner Bros wanted him in "Arthur & Lancelot," and put him in "A Winter's Tale" when that film fell apart. But ultimately, Farrell feels like Jude Law -- a character actor whose good looks saw him pushed into carrying films that probably aren't playing to his strengths (whereas something like "Seven Psychopaths" does). The sooner he (or his reps) come to terms with that, the happier he'll probably be and discerning audiences will simply be able to enjoy the actor in solid, interesting parts instead of having to topline middling tentpoles like "Total Recall."
82 Comments
Raindogs | October 30, 2012 9:52 PM
If I may, can we add... Denzel Washington?!
b | October 30, 2012 5:35 PM
I scanned these comments, but don't think anyone mentioned Robert DeNiro. I guess he's a bit different since his career will forever be known for greatness, but the last ten years is a big WTF to me looking at his resume. Am holding out hope for Silver Linings Playbook, but other than that a bunch of mediocre shit. If he does one more of those Fockers movies that is it for me. I will swear him off for forever.
I haven't seen Machete though so perhaps that will renew my faith in him and his film choices. And I suppose it's unfair of me to cite an actor who made his career with films from Scorsese, The Deer Hunter and The Godfather Pt. II, it's hard to live up to such awesomeness.
Angela | October 29, 2012 9:38 PM
Hey, Fright Night was awesome, even if no one went to see it.
Daisy Kenyon | October 28, 2012 4:06 PM
Is it really the agents fault though? it may just be a downturn in career or bad luck. Hollywood Inc. is brutal
LAH | October 28, 2012 12:32 AM
I agree with several of the people that think this topic is unfair. If you frequent movie theaters, or Netflix or whatever illegal downloading site you may watch movies from you'll see there are a limited number of good movies per year. The odds of getting a great script, then getting a director and producer that will get the most out of the script and then find a studio that will leave them alone and not muddle with it or have enough cash to may for the movie is pretty low. There just aren't enough good movies to employ every good actor and actress in Hollywood so you take a chance or sometimes bite the bullet and do a movie to get paid or stay in the spotlight.
Dee | October 27, 2012 8:50 PM
Funny you mentioned Jude Law. I'd certainly nominate him, though it seems he's started to correct course. Even with lacklusters like Contagion, it fares better than Repo Men.
Rosie | October 27, 2012 1:21 PM
This is the most arrogant article I have ever written. All actors encounter either bad press, failed movies or even a dry spell in their career. It's nothing new. Yet, this article seemed to indicate that if your opinion is adhered to, every Hollywood movie or television star will be consistently successful. The arrogance in this article is unbelievable.
ugh | October 26, 2012 8:51 PM
Correction: "Whose," not "who's" in the last paragraph.
jean vigo | October 26, 2012 4:05 PM
I find it hard to believe that a lot of these actors can't read a script ahead of time and see that it's going to be a stinker. An agent is an agent in ANY biz, regardless of what he/she will say. Objective #1: maximize income/percentage. Sell your "property" for the highest bid.
Maybe these actors need to be more pro-active instead of playing the "talk to my agent" game. I'm sure they can live comfortably enough than 99% of us and wait for the right project.
bapi | October 26, 2012 3:50 PM
Josh Hartnett
Dan | October 26, 2012 2:37 PM
I think Sigourney Weaver needs to be on here. She still has the "Avatar" buoy keeping her afloat, and she's apparently done very well in "Red Lights", but "Abduction"? And "Cold Light of Day"? C'mon.
ali | October 26, 2012 12:16 PM
Just because you are resonably good looking does not make you a lead actor and neither does giving a strong performance in a character role. None of the actors on this list are leading actors. They are all good/solid supporting actors. If they can check their egos and play to their strengths( Reese,stop doing rom-coms. Halle, you are supporting dramatic actor)their careers can rebound.
The Jackal | October 25, 2012 7:13 PM
Cusack and Cage are the poster boys for disastrous acting choices. Halle Berry has just fallen off the map as a legitimate actor. Gerard Butler just needs to be a little choosier, as his role in Corialanus proved he's still got the acting chops. Hillary Swank pops in occasionally decent flicks, Amelia and Freedom Writers were enjoyable if not spectacular. I think Adrian Brody is just fine. He turns in good performances in independent films and I thought he was a hoot in Predators. Forrest Whitaker, in my opinion was never meant for leading man status. The Last King of Scotland was the role was born to play, yes. He still does well in supporting roles. Not sure what happened to ol' Clive. Children of Men was phenomenal. Hope he gets back on track soon.
Thems the facts
Krazyjoe | October 25, 2012 3:13 PM
"Those that made it to theaters, like "Hot Tub Time Machine," "The Paperboy" and "The Raven" were pretty dreadful, "
Hot Tub Time Machine was hilarious. I saw that 4 times in theaters. You guys need better taste.
Krazyjoe | October 25, 2012 3:09 PM
"Some ("Giallo," "Predators," "Wrecked," and once more for emphasis, "Giallo") were bad movies, "
Predators was excellent.
myattempt@sarcasm | October 25, 2012 1:54 PM
i'd add daniel day lewis to this list. by now he shouldve had a 3rd oscar but he's busy taking 5 year breaks between films and now wasting his time with that talentless hack steven spielberg. what a loser.
cinephile | October 25, 2012 1:04 PM
Yup, I'd add Renee Zellweger to this list. Where the hell did she go, like, four years ago?
Sitting Pat | October 25, 2012 10:43 AM
Colin Farrell was awesome in Seven Psychopaths. If that's the direction his career is headed, smaller interesting films with great performances, then he's headed in the right direction.
As for Reese Witherspoon, I guess in her case it's don't eff your agent. Her days of being a viable lead are over. It's not the projects, she's proven over and over, as has been said here, that she's no longer a very good actress.
bruckey | October 25, 2012 8:14 AM
22 that need saving
http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/can-these-careers-be-saved/more-galleries
takealook | October 25, 2012 7:54 AM
Similarly to @ADAM's stance, I am going to say that I don't think Reese Witherspoon is that great of an actor either. Most undeserved Oscar if I've ever seen one - she was decent in Walk The Line but compared to Felicity Huffman's performance in Transamerica?? Shocking. And she became completely overrated after that. Maybe she can't get better roles because dare say it, she isn't in that league?
asiandude | October 25, 2012 2:55 AM
I found it weird :) if The Playlist made this 1.5 years ago CHARLIZE THERON would definitely be on here :D and look @ what a ride she has had since Young Adult!
Some I think should be mentioned: Winona Ryder / Uma Thurman (indeed, all the Kill Bill girls - Lucy Liu at least started making some small wave + Daryl hannah probably too rich & weird) / Gwyneth Paltrow (without the tabloid + connection + Iron Glee, she would be here) / Kate Hudson / JLO / Renee / Thandie Newton / Ewan Mc
Shawn Gordon | October 25, 2012 1:22 AM
Here are ten alternatives, actors who for the last decade have had a pretty lackluster career, especially when you look at the decade prior.
Harrison Ford, Harvey Keitel, Kevin Kline, Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton
Leonardo | October 25, 2012 1:21 AM
they really want some money, but common what happened to their seelf-respect...
Sean | October 24, 2012 11:01 PM
At The Playlist, must you put the list onto 3 pages instead of 1....?? Well regarding the actual article it is perfect to a T! Every1 you mentioned I have at some point or another thought "where the hell did you go? & why?" Its really a shame too esp for some of the "better" names on here.... Such as Hilary Swank, Forest Whitaker, John Cusack, Clive Owen, Colin Farrell, Halle Berry, & Reece. The rest are whatever to me... I wish The Playlist could have gone into some deeper digging & give us reasons as to WHY WHY WHY this has happened to some great actors & their careers (such as inner gossip of Hollywood, the politics of the buisness,).... Now that would be a fantastic article. This is some some stuff we already knew unfortunatley ....B/c is this really just the case of a BAD AGENT...?!?!? I def dont think so... And it appears theres literally only a handful of top actors who have stayed around for decades anymore rather than 2 handfuls or a group of 20 or so has wittled down to about 5 I think....
Someone | October 24, 2012 8:31 PM
It's over for Halle. Thats why she wants to move abroad-- at least she knows it cause Nicole Kidman sure doesnt.
JD V | October 24, 2012 7:49 PM
Whoah, now hold on. PREDATORS is not a bad movie. : )
Jon | October 24, 2012 6:43 PM
Don't forget that Cage did Bringing Out the Dead
Jolene | October 24, 2012 6:02 PM
Tom Hardy needs a better agent as soon as possible.
Ellie Mae | October 24, 2012 5:39 PM
Regarding Gerard Butler, some of your comments just didn't ring true. The movie "Phantom of the Opera" was bashed by the critics because most didn't even bother to watch it and they didn't like the broadway musical either. But it was truly fantastic and beautiful and Gerard was fabulous in it. Just go to IMDB and Amazon - regular people overwhelmingly love this movie. His new movie, "Chasing Mavericks" is a PG rated relationship movie based on a true story about surfing the big waves near Santa Cruz, California. Directed by a great talent, Curtis Hanson. What's so bad about a nice family movie with good values and a good message, plus fantastic footage? Does every movie have to be a cartoon, science fiction, edgy, super hero or super violent to appeal to you critics? Gerard is a super talent in my book.
Jacques DeMolay | October 24, 2012 5:31 PM
Replace Collin Farrel with either A) Cuba Gooding Jr., B) Val Kilmer, or C) Kevin Costner and it'd be perfect.
Also, Drive Angry was fucking awesome and you all know it, Playlsters. Of course, that's more to William Fitchner's credit than Cage's, but still...
Duddi | October 24, 2012 5:15 PM
I've just read the article and the comments but in whole this mess i don't see mentioned not even one time the name of a dude called Val, Val Kilmer !? - Is he a finished episode or maybe he's ok with those "ugly", "stupid", "lazy" straight to video garbage he's been on in the last 5 years !!!
Piotr | October 24, 2012 4:20 PM
Your use of the word 'portmanteau' suggests you have no idea what it means.
coke | October 24, 2012 4:12 PM
"The Butler" (unfortunately still directed by Lee Daniels, but it'll at least get a theatrical release)
LOOOL
Rizzo | October 24, 2012 4:08 PM
These guys should not fire their agents. Their presence helps me pick out which movies to avoid in the theater and just wait until I can watch them on Encore.
Glass | October 24, 2012 3:43 PM
Fucking KILLER idea for an article. I would hate to be an actor so bad... You can probably count on one hand, the actors that have the power to say, "send me all the good scripts with legendary directors attached, so I can decide which one to be in next". Actors usually have the 'audition' mentality built into them, so in the end, they take what they can get.
MJ | October 24, 2012 3:40 PM
I disagree on Colin Farrell, his films over the past 6 years or so might be under seen but they feature the best work of his career. Cassandra's Dream, Ondine, In Bruges, Triage, The Way Back & even his bit parts in Crazy Heart & Dr. Parnassus are all great performances. Seven Psychopaths is doing well for what it is in the current marketplace & even his Hollywood return last year was quite entertaining (HB & Fright Night), though we'll just pretend Total Recall didn't happen.
peter vincent | October 24, 2012 3:38 PM
Fright Night was hardly a "disaster". It made 41 million worldwide on a 30 million budget, despite being released at the ass end of august. also, it received pretty solid reviews. I mean, whatever - it's your article, but if that's a disaster and meanwhile "Alexander" is just a "flop" - then your brain is fucked.
Chris | October 24, 2012 3:24 PM
Once again, The Playlist's fact-checking leaves much to be desired. Regarding "Hot Tub Time Machine," it actually pulled in $50 million and made a profit. I agree it wasn't very good, but it did decent enough business and has something of a following.
JanBerlin | October 24, 2012 3:22 PM
Wasnât Cusackâs "Grace is Gone" considered awards material?
Adam | October 24, 2012 3:21 PM
I swear I'm not trying to be a troll here, but I'm gonna take what is apparently a brave stance and say that I don't think Nicolas Cage is actually very good. In fact, a couple of the folks on here aren't in need of better agents, but actually owe their success to the ones they've got. I don't think Cage was great in Raising Arizona or Leaving Las Vegas, I think that if you could have put any living human into those films and they'd have come off great, provided they were able to perform the incredible scripts they were given.
Wildcat | October 24, 2012 3:18 PM
Whitaker fired his agent after they forced him to do The Last King of Scotland. And look at where he is now... on this list.
Cribbster | October 24, 2012 3:17 PM
"Predators" wasn't a bad movie. It was pretty good. And Adrian Brody was as good as he needed to be in it.
Greg | October 24, 2012 3:16 PM
Michael Keaton. Michael Keaton. Micheal Keaton.
Niall | October 24, 2012 3:07 PM
Antoine Fuqua didn't direct Law Abiding Citizen. Yay for fact checking guys!
Mitchell | October 24, 2012 3:02 PM
Zellweger.
Jesse | October 24, 2012 3:00 PM
Sorry but Halle Berry is doing fine, she has the lead female role in Cloud Atlas and she's the lead in upcoming thriller The Hive directed by the director of The Machinist. She got a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a drama two years ago. Really she's doing fine, keep in mind she's over 45.
cary | October 24, 2012 2:55 PM
the problem of these actors is lack of ambition. they choose safe and easy jobs rather than challenging ones.
you should have mentioned Swank's attendance at Chechen president's birthday party and Owen's burger king commercial. I completely lost any remaining respect for both actors.
DG | October 24, 2012 2:50 PM
I wouldn't mind if most of these people disappeared for the scene altogether but I still like Whitaker and a Reese Witherspoon comeback would be good as well. Election is good and all but has anyone here seen Freeway? Weird fucking movie that she is hilarious and awesome in
OOGLE MONSTER | October 24, 2012 2:40 PM
Mira Sorvino, obviously!
Jeff | October 24, 2012 2:32 PM
Peter Jackson's King Kong was disappointing?