Monday, August 14, 2006

John C. Reilly Choosing Comedy

In recent years, John C. Reilly seems like he has consistently landed supporting roles in some the biggest critical successes of the year.

In 2002 alone John C. Reilly was a cast member in 3 best picture nominees: Chicago, Gangs of New York, and the Hours.

John C. Reilly has also appeared in other critically received films: Magnolia, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Aviator, The Thin Red Line, Boogie Nights and A Prairie Home Companion.

Yet John C. Reilly's film angle seems to be taking a comedic turn, which personally, I think is okay, because I think he's much better as a comic character than a serious one.

His role in Chicago (for which he received an Oscar nomination) was serious but still somewhat comical. And a few projects later his role in A Prairie Home Companion was also comical as he cut-up along side Woody Harrelson.

But Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was one of the first times I've seen Reilly be a regular slap stick cut-up and along side Will Farrell and the rest of the cast he did a good job.

Columbia pictures who produced Talladega Nights must agree that John C. Reilly's a funny guy and have in the past month gotten Reilly to sign on for two projects:
  • Step Brothers will reunite the Talladega Nights trio of director/writer Adam McKay, Will Farrell and John C. Reilly.
  • Walk Hard will bring John C. Reilly together with writers Judd Apatow (40-year old virgin) and young director Jake Kasdan (Orange County) to tell a fictional story of Dewey Cox a legendary rock star. (via)
It's an interesting turn, and with these types of projects on his plate, you have to wonder if the serious actor academy awards nominated actor is done with more dramatic projects?

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12 comments:

Southern (in)Sanity said...

Don't forget about Reilly's performance in "The Perfect Storm," either.

J said...

I find him incredibly watchable no matter what he does.

Anonymous said...

Reilly's been extraordinary ever since PT Anderson's Sydney / Hard Eight (1996). I can't remember if I saw him in anything before that, but have always enjoyed his performances since.

Yeah, he should have gotten a "Best Sum Performance" award for 2002.

jasdye said...

wasn't he the Christian cop in "magnolia"?

that role, btw, somewhat reminds me of the dramatic/comedy line that reilly seems born to play (again, consider his sad-sack in Chicago - which i'm still pi**ed wasn't made here), somewhat like sandler in another pt anderson movie.

RC said...

Anomie-Atlanta, Phillip Seymour Hoffman played the Nurse in Magnolia...as Jasdye mentions, Reilly played the Christian cop...who was some what comical in that role, but more in a depresing sort of way.

RWA, I definitly did not forget his performance in a perfect storm...i thought most of the acting performances in that film were kind of poor, especially Rileys.

Will, I agree about Reilly in Hard Eight...PT Anderson I feel like really is responsibly for exposing Reilly's potential.

Anonymous said...

In an interview, Reilly was going to star in ANCHORMAN as one of Burgandy's 3 buddies (probably Champ) but had to bail out because it conflicted with his AVIATOR shooting schedule.

Jim Jannotti said...

Reilly is versatile. I share the above commenters' enthusiasm for his PT Anderson performances. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Prairie Home.

Anonymous said...

I loved him in Boogie Nights and The Hours - most projects he picks are worthwhile except for The Perfect Storm which was pox.

AWG said...

"Mr. Cellophane" was great. Reilly is top notch!

MCF said...

I just thought it was cool that they got the same guy from Days of Thunder for that role. :)

Attila the Mom said...

He'll always be "Chest Rockwell" to me.... LOL!

Anonymous said...

He's having fun and making some money for once. I love him in serious roles, but I agree, even in serious roles he always seems to bring a level of comedy into it. I'd love to see him in a Coen brothers movie...