[Missed the show? Here’s the link to the podcast: http://wypr.org/post/midday-film-2]
Have you ever watched a film where an actor you had written off as mediocre suddenly surprised you with a brilliant – or, at least, somewhat committed – performance? Or have you gone back and watched an older film with an actor who is now just going through the paces of earning a paycheck, and seen what s/he was like at the start, and been wowed? Maybe you’ve even just been (pleasantly) shocked when a star who was known for comedy suddenly took on a dramatic role (or vice versa), and did well. If you’ve experienced any of these sensations, then get ready for our next Midday on Film show, when we’ll celebrate these kinds of thespian revelations.
Join us, then, on Friday, May 2, at 1pm, on WYPR (88.1FM), on the Midday with Dan Rodricks show, when Linda DeLibero – Director, Film and Media Studies, Johns Hopkins University – and Christopher Llewellyn Reed (that’s me) – Chair and Professor, Department of Film/Video, Stevenson University – will discuss, along with our host, Dan Rodricks, our (very subjective) choices of interesting shockers. These days, everyone thinks of Matthew McConaughey, who rescued his career from romcom hell and now just won an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club. I first noticed that something was different about him with the 2011 thriller The Lincoln Lawyer. Other contenders for actors who have risen above their beginnings might include George Clooney, Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg. Jennifer Lopez is my contender for someone who started strong and only then slipped into mediocrity.
How about you? What are your choices? Add your voices to the conversation via email (midday@wypr.org) or phone (410-662-8780 locally, or toll-free at 1-866-661-9309). If you can’t listen live, then check out the podcast later by visiting the show’s site. Should be fun!
chrisreedfilm 
Please don’t forget about Hayden Christensen. After Star Wars episodes II, I had written off Christensen as a lead weight around the epic series’ neck. But his incredible performance in Revenge of the Sith was almost enough to make me forgive him for the prior let-down.
Hi, Lenny! I agree that Hayden Christensen is a good candidate, but not for that film. I didn’t necessarily think he was much better in Episode 3 than he was in Episode. 2. He’s great in the movie “Shattered Glass,” however. Ever seen it?