Every January a few unknowns break out atSundance, gathering buzz that— if they're really lucky — continues to grow once their films hit the real world. Last year,Jennifer Lawrenceappeared at the festival as a tough Ozark teen in"Winter's Bone."In three weeks, she'll walk the world's biggest red carpet as a Best ActressOscar nominee— and she has her first blockbuster role, Mystique in this summer's"X-Men: First Class."
Still, she'd better be careful: More often than not, today's fresh face becomes yesterday's news. There are all sorts of reasons some stars rise and others fall. But with endless competition for a limited spotlight, it's versatility that ultimately matters most.
So Lawrence may want to take particular note of her Oscar competitionNatalie Portman. After idling in mostly mediocre roles, Portman challenged herself with the toughest performance of her life in"Black Swan"— and she has aGolden Globeand an Oscar nomination to show for it. She has also offered two entirely different portraits in the last month, as a slightly dizzy rom-com heroine in"No Strings Attached"and a grieving mother in"The Other Woman."
FRANCO'S FULL PLATE
Meanwhile, our Academy Awards co-hostJames Francoturned himself into a soap star, author, painter and performance artist, before reminding us of his original gifts with a daring, near-solo turn as the imperiled hiker inDanny Boyle's"127 Hours."And if he doesn't win aDaytime Emmyfor those"General Hospital"appearances, his Oscar nod for"127 Hours"will dull the sting.
Portman diversified her career in three new film releases, including 'Black Swan,' in a short stretch of time. (Fox Searchlight)
Portman and Franco— who'll co-star in the comic adventure"Your Highness"in April— aren't the only ones who have recently boosted their careers with some well-chosen risks.
Last year,Ben Affleckcontinued to remake his résumé by directing"The Town."Matt Damonshowed his comic side in"30 Rock"and"True Grit."Dakota Fanningedged toward adulthood with the nervy"Runaways."Justin Timberlake's dazzling appearance in"The Social Network"suggested he's ready for leading-man status.Zach Galifianakisplayed a suicidal father in"It's Kind of a Funny Story,"ensuring he won't be trapped in a lifetime of goofy supporting roles.
On the other hand, some actors are wedged in ruts so deep, they'll find it tough to climb out. Leading that list, alas, isJennifer Aniston— an actress so likable that seven years after leaving"Friends,"she's still getting starring roles in major movies. Unfortunately, those movies usually turn out to be empty duds.
We'll cross our fingers and trust that next week's"Just Go With It"won't join the scrap heap alongside"Love Happens,""TheBounty Hunter"and"The Switch."But her best work has been in modest indies like"The Good Girl,""Friends With Money"and"Management."There'd be no shame in sticking with arthouse efforts, going for a major movie only when she finds a project that's really worth her— and our — time.
MCCONAUGH-WHO?
Similarly, does anyone else remember how greatMatthew McConaugheywas in his feature debut, 1993's"Dazed and Confused"? Every so often—"We Are Marshall"comes to mind— he'll rouse himself to actually act again. But what's the first thing you think of when you hear his name? We're not complaining about his aversion to shirts. But like Aniston, he risks leaving a legacy that has little to do with his body of work.
In fairness, he's hardly the only actor who seems stuck on autopilot.Jack Blackwas amusing as ever in"Gulliver's Travels,"but we've seen enough variations on hisTenacious Dpersona already. His performances in"Jesus' Son"and"TheSchool of Rock"remain his best because he stretched himself— and succeeded. More of that, please.
And less,Robert De Niro, of the"Focker"nonsense. We know you've earned the right to cash any checks you damn well please. But that doesn't mean you have to. The same goes for fellow FockersBen StillerandOwen Wilson, who have repeatedly proven that comedy can be the smartest of genres. Or, you know, not.
You wonder whyNicolas Cage,Tom Cruise,Halle Berry,Renee Zellweger,Vince Vaughn,Kate HudsonandKatherine Heiglkeep making regrettable professional choices. They can serve as examples for a new generation.
Among this year's up-and-comers, few should be better prepared thanElizabeth Olsen. Having watched her big sisters,Mary-Kate and Ashley, blossom and wilt in public, Olsen took her time before claiming our attention. Though she's undoubtedly had bigger opportunities, she wisely started small, recently earning raves at Sundance as a former cult victim in the indie"Martha Marcy May Marlene."
Additional Sundance successes includeFelicity Jones, whose romance"Like Crazy"was one of the hits of the festival, andBrit Marling, who both co-wrote and starred in two dramas:"Sound of My Voice"and"Another Earth."
BUZZ YOU CAN BELIEVE IN
And you'll be hearing more aboutJuno Temple, whose upcoming films include Matthew McConaughey's"Killer Joe"(we'll hope for the best), andEmily Browning, who's already snaring notice as the lead in the action flick"Sucker Punch."
Most promising of all may beEzra Miller, who displayed an impressively broad range in three very different films last year:"City Island,""Beware the Gonzo"and"Every Day."Next he'll play a violent teen in"We Need to Talk About Kevin,"oppositeTilda SwintonandJohn C. Reilly. If he's smart, he'll listen to any advice his experienced co-stars care to share.
Which actors are still getting it right? Or have gone drastically wrong? Share your thoughts atEWeitzman@nydailynews.com.
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