I was inspired to write this entry about Matthew McConaughey as I was getting irritated by people continuing to be surprised by how good an actor he is. Too often, people have dismissed McConaughey as a muscle bound cheeseball with a penchant for appearing in lacklusture and forgettable romcoms which made him a hit with the ladies. However, with his most recent starring role in 'Dallas Buyers Club' (which pretty much everyone agrees will win him the best actor Oscar) gaining rave reviews and even his scene stealing turn in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' garnering plaudits, people seem to think that good old Matthew Mc C has only just started to bust out his acting chops in recent years. This is unture. Granted, he is maybe better known by mainstream audiences for his appearances in popular (but dreadfull) romcom flims such as 'Failure to Launch', 'Fools Gold' and 'Ghosts of Girlfriends past' but these titles are merely payday distractions that can sadly lead people to overlook his, quite frankly, incredible back catalogue of work. Lets take a closer look at some examples...
LONE STAR
One of the best films of 1996 and certainly one of McConaugheys best showings. However, despite it been praised by critics, its sadly one of his lesser known films.
Plot (from IMDB): John Sayles' murder-mystery explores interpersonal and interracial tensions in Rio County, Texas. Sam Deeds is the local sheriff who is called to investigate a 40-year-old skeleton found in the desert....As Sam delves deeper into the town's dark secrets, he begins to learn more about his father, the legendary former sheriff Buddy Deeds, who replaced the corrupt Charlie Wade. While Sam puzzles out the long-past events surrounding the mystery corpse, he also longs to rekindle a romance with his old high-school flame. Sayles' complex characters are brought together as the tightly woven plot finally draws to its dramatic close
A TIME TO KILL
One of my all time favourite films with an absolutely incredible cast which includes Kevin spacey, Samuel L Jackson, Donald sutherland, Sandra Bullock, Kiefer Sutherland, Ashley Judd and Oliver Platt. In this incredibly tense, heartbreaking and moving film, McConaughey plays a young lawyer in Mississippi who defends a black man accused of murdering two men who raped his 10-year-old daughter, sparking a rebirth of the KKK. Truly, not to be missed. McConaugheys final courtroom speech is powerful stuff.
REIGN OF FIRE
Matthew McConaughey and Batman fighting dragons. what else do you need to know!!?? This film is brilliant fun and completely different from the last two films. check it out when you're in the mood for some cheesey, low budget, kick ass action.
KILLER JOE
Perhaps MM's most twisted role to date. Dark, funny and disturbing. You'll never look at KFC in the same way again. Recommended.
MUD
Sure, this is a bit more recent (2012) and perhaps started the buzz about MM's acting again but it was still, unbelievably overlooked by many people thanks in no small part to its limited cinema release. My favourite MM film to date (alongside Dazed and confused, obviously.)
Theres many more examples (honourable mention to 'The Lincoln Lawyer' which i've just remembered) but start of with these bad boys if you havent already seen them and I guarantee that you wont regret it. In the meantime, and in the immortal words of Matthew McConaugheys greatest character...
"Just Keep Livin'!" - Wooderson
