"Life is a series of commas, not periods."
- This guy
Throughout the '00s Matthew McConaughey was the go-to guy for romantic comedies, period. There was a time when using Matthew McConaughey and acting in the same sentence would stir the wrath of cinephiles and critics everywhere. If someone had the unmitigated nerve to say he's a good actor, public heckling, scorn, and tarring and feathering were in order. He wasn't a good actor; we're talking about that oft-shirtless dude with a Texan accent who starred in that movie with Kate Hudson about him having ten days to move out of his parents house in order to discover gold. All the guy did was talk excitedly and charm the pants off his co-stars along with women everywhere. It didn't matter that he showed dramatic promise in earlier roles like A Time To Kill and Amistad. It seemed the movie going public knew who he was. He never seemed to mind, he just kept livin', L-I-V-I-N'. As a result, the last few years have saw McConaughey go from the doldrums of romantic comedy to winning critical acclaim and topping it off with a Oscar win. These five roles show Matthew McConaughey's growth into a respected actor and his surprising versatility.
Matthew McConaughey's true breakthrough. Everyone knows someone like Wooderson; he's that guy who still hangouts with high schoolers, chase after girls, is immature and borderline creepy. At least he would be if he wasn't so darn cool. McConaughey showcases his effortless charm and screen charisma. He plays Wooderson straight without winking at the audience or judgement. He's by far the best character in this movie.
4. Rick "Pecker" Peck, Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder is a career highlight for all involved. There are so many good characters in this movie, McConaughey's performance gets lost in the shuffle. As Tugg Speedman's (Ben Stiller) agent and friend; Peck takes his client's request for TiVo like a call to arms. McConaughey gets his share of one-liners ("I'm not gonna sugarcoat it for you Tugg, it was like pistol whipping a blind kid"), a huge moral dilemma and finally a big character moment (saving the day by throwing Tugg's TiVo into an oncoming rocket, classy move).
3. Mud
Playing the title character, this southern drama meditates on the complexity and volatile nature of love. Mud as a superstitious convict who's more naive than dangerous. His true crime is loving someone who's not good for him and for whom he has done bad things for in the name of love. McCouaughey captures Mud's naivete, manipulation, heartbreak and anger with incredible nuisance and restraint.
2. Ron Woodruff, Dallas Buyers Club
Ron Woodruff is a hard living rodeo cowboy given 30 days to live after his HIV diagnosis. To prolong his life, he gets treatment in Mexico and eventually smuggles anti-viral drugs into the United States. Much has been made of his weight loss for this role but not enough has been made of McConaughey's embodiment of Ron's tenacious attitude and stubborn demeanor. He channels his natural charm and charisma into a bigot. Even once he helps the gay community, he's doesn't become warm and cuddly. It's a testament to his abilities that Ron becomes someone worth investing in; even his barbs at Rayon (fellow Oscar winner Jared Leto) become engaging and fun rather than mean spirited.
1. Rust Cohle, True Detective
What, this isn't a movie? It doesn't change the fact it's a great performance. When he and Woody Harrelson were first announced as leads, many thought McConaughey would be the lighthearted detective. He goes way against type and shows his range as Rust Cohle: an enigmatic, anti-human detective who's good at his job and sucks at relating or empathizing with people. In each episode Rust spouts off philosophical, nihilistic sayings that confuse and intrigue at the same time. Rust's obsessive nature over the case and his intense beliefs make him one of the best characters on TV at a time where there's no shortage of them. This would be impossible without Mr. McConaughey.
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