The McConaissance: How 6 Films Revived Matthew McConaughey's Career
Matthew McConaughey is currently riding high atop of the acting world. Back in March, McConaughey picked up his first Best Acting Academy Award. It was nothing short of hard work and precise decision making, that made him the crown jewel of Hollywood. So what happened? How did this guy, famed for being the poster boy for almost every romantic comedy, become the hottest commodity in film?
destroying his stereotype
Since making his on-screen debut in Richard Linklater's excellent Dazed and Confused (1993), Matthew McConaughey had the world at his finger tips. Unfortunately, stand-out performances became a rarity for him during the early days. Instead, his career was steered in the direction of being the guy who "takes his shirt off" in rom-coms. He found success during this time, but there's only so many times you can rely on your chiselled body and southern drawl.
As an audience, we couldn't help but feel let down. McConaughey had potential. We all knew it. He fitted the mould of possibly being a new Paul Newman. Instead, he slowed down, took less risks and cruised through his career for far too long.
For almost a decade he chugged along, taking well paid leading roles in below average films. We lost our patience, ultimately leading us to give up on him and scoff at the thought of watching any of his movies. We had seen glimpses of his potential (A Time To Kill, Lone Star) but his constant refusal to reject the cliched roles and easy money, lead McConaughey into a career rut.
But an intervention happened. With enough time in his career left, McConaughey knew it was time to break-out from his stereotype. He made it his mission to come back, to awaken the fine method actor sleeping inside him.
It's not an easy journey coming back from a decade of abhorrent performances, look at Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke. For years, those guys played second fiddle, now look at them. To truly win over audiences and critics alike, first you must admit your failings. McConaughey done just that. His desire to "un-brand" himself and start anew, was well documented. He knew he had to stop buying into his own allure and throw away the "adonis factor" if he was to succeed in his quest.
the lincoln lawyer: a solid start
After taking a two year break, McConaughey returned to the big screen in a film that was a good, solid starting block for his revival. Returning to a formula that had worked for him in the past (A Time To Kill) was a smart decision and a role he knew he could flourish in. The Lincoln Lawyer was a financial and critical success. This helped give McConaughey the confidence boost he most likely needed at the time and most importantly, the platform to begin spreading his wings.
bernie: regaining his self-esteem
Bernie was a step in a new direction for McConaughey. It's quirkiness and use of character profiling was something he could sink his acting prowess into. Another benefit to Bernie— it was made by the director who put him on the map, Richard Linklater. Familiarity is a key ingredient to regaining your self-esteem as an actor. If you've had success with the person you're working with, it breeds confidence in you that you can repeat the feat. That's certainly what happened with Bernie. Hardly a huge commercial success in the way of box office numbers, but it's critical aplomb on the festival circuit and financial rewards on the limited release market, makes Bernie a key benchmark during the McConaissance. Bernie gave McConaughey the chance to show acceptance at not always being the leading man and display his black comedic timing within his repertoire.
MUD & KILLER JOE: showing a new side
Mud not only showed a darker, strange and moodier side to McConaughey (a side we'd see perfected in True Detective) but it proved he'd grown as an actor. Mud was as pure indie as you can get. Made for a small sum of money with a limited cinema release, this film would of been something McConaughey would've tossed a side years back. Mud offered him the chance to show his variety as an actor. His willingness to test himself, his desire to step out of his comfort zone and take on roles that interest his personally and benefit him professionally.
Killer Joe, on the other hand, was a huge step in a new direction. Killer Joe's director, William Friedkin, recalls that McConaughey threw the script across the room in disgust after reading through it. But trust McConaughey to fine empathy in Killer Joe Cooper— a policeman who moonlights as a hitman. To date, this is one of McConaughey's most creepiest roles but no doubt one of his most rewarding. He was able to delve deep inside a perverse character and give him a sense of vulnerability and humility.
magic mike: closure
On the face of it, Magic Mike seemed like a bad idea at the time. It seemed as though McConaughey had put all his hard work to waste and took two steps back. But if you look closely, Magic Mike was two huge moon steps forward.
Portraying the role of Dallas— a stripper who feels he has nothing else he can do in life except take money off people to expose is body, is one of the key performances in his resurgence.
With Magic Mike, McConaughey could mock his former self. He saw similarities to his previously failing career within Dallas. A guy who uses his body and looks to earn money, without ever feeling appreciated. Magic Mike was a metaphor for the career he once had, and gave him the chance to close the door on it for good.
dallas buyers club: the role of a lifetime
With a string of hits under his belt, McConaughey had clawed himself back into the attention of Hollywood executives. All that was missing from his filmography was that career defining role.
For almost 20 years, the Dallas Buyers Club screenplay was passed around and rejected 87 times. It's subject matter was far too much for many producers or executives to swallow. But McConaughey attached himself and dedicated himself to the cause. The film had it's budget slashed last minute and it's a surprise the film was even made. But McConaughey was in a position were he had leverage in Hollywood. His persistence paid off.
Losing 30lbs to play AIDS patient, Ron Woodroof— McConaughey delivered a performance that completed and cemented his place among the finest actors in the world today. His dedication was rewarded when he received the Best Actor in a Leading Role gong at the 86th Academy Awards. McConaughey's mission was complete.
on the horizon...
Since his multi-award winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey delivered yet another career defining performance as Detective Rust Cohle in HBO's superb television series, True Detective.
As Det. Rust Cohle— McConaughey collected together all those qualities he'd amassed during his revival and let them all loose on us. Arguably, True Detective is his finest work to date.
Later this year, we will see McConaughey grace the big screen once again as he stars in Christopher Nolan's upcoming sci-fi drama, Interstellar. From the teasers that have been released so far, McConaughey looks to be in mean, moody and magnificent form yet again.
