By the time the flowers of April are in full bloom, people often forget the tumultuous journey these plants take to weather the elements. Through late snowstorms, random heatwaves and even the occasional tornado, small seeds grow into colorful blossoms. Right now, all around Grounds, these little buds are beginning to sprout up and show signs of the greenery they will become.
In the world of cinema, these buds are everywhere — actors getting their first start, trying out new genres and finding their footing. While it is not always clear which of these early careers will develop into stardom, their performances can be indicators of growing potential. Almost every major actor has this “budding performance,” one which began to showcase their talents before the rest of the industry caught on. From cheesy teen comedies to intense horror dramas, these four movies offer a sneak-peak into the makings of Hollywood staples.
“The Perfect Score” (2004)
The “teen movie” wave of the early 2000s gave way to many careers — think Emma Stone in “Easy A” or Michael Cera in “Superbad” — with successful actors able to shine through cringy dialogue and overbearing cliches. Brian Robbins’ teen-heist film is the perfect example, surrounding a grab-bag of high schoolers who break into a testing center in an attempt to steal SAT answers. Although the movie received largely negative reviews, the cast is able to make up for some of its shortcomings.
Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans are at the helm of this effort, each delivering performances at a step above the rest of the ensemble. In her more edgy loner-girl role, Johansson unearths a certain depth that the rest of the cast cannot, her less exaggerated portrayal coming across more grounded and real. This kind of layered character understanding would continue to reappear as she tackled more introspective, poignant films like Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” or Jonathan Glazer’s “Under the Skin.” For Evans, his popular-stud-gone-soft persona is a benchmark for future roles, from his long stint as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe all the way up until his most recent charismatic love interest in the romantic drama “Materialists.”
“Jennifer’s Body” (2009)
Continuing the teen movie trend, Karyn Kusama’s horror cult classic took time for audiences to appreciate its messaging about female empowerment. Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox lead the effort as a duo of nerd and popular girl, respectively. The film follows the transformation of cheerleader Jennifer into a man-eating succubus after a deal with the devil gone wrong, feeding on her male peers as her power grows.
Despite Seyfried and Fox having already gained recognition prior to the film from their roles in “Mean Girls” and “Transformers,” respectively, “Jennifer’s Body” allowed them to step into a more complex realm of acting, no longer solely for comic relief or sex appeal. Combining elements of their previous films for teen audiences with a more elevated discussion of female relationships and the objectification of women, the pair set the narrative for being able to handle more depth in their roles. This was especially apparent for Seyfried, going on to star in critically-acclaimed period dramas like “Mank” and most recently “The Testament of Ann Lee.” While Fox leaned more into roles in action and comedy movies, her newest film “Subservience” — a sci-fi thriller featuring lifelike artificial intelligence androids — highlights the continuation of her success in movies that blend horror and social commentary.
“Fear” (1996)
Taking on a more serious tone than the previous two films, James Foley’s psychological thriller depicts a toxic relationship between a young girl, Nicole, and the charming older man, David, she meets at a nightclub. The leading couple — played by Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg — drive the film to shine, each selling roles which fall far outside their previous experience. David grows more possessive as his relationship boils into an intense and violent conflict where he attacks her father as the sole obstacle in his way of having Nicole all to himself. These emotionally versatile performances set the stage for the careers that the two starlets would come to have.
As a fresh actor coming off of a career as an underwear model and rapper, Wahlberg is able to lose himself in his portrayal of the crazy boyfriend character, flipping the switch seamlessly between charismatic and cold. His smug, calculating portrayal drives the suspense of the film, the audience carefully awaiting his next move. His imposing persona also helped to build the start of his action-heavy career, including “Shooter” and “Play Dirty.” Witherspoon similarly evolved from her girl-next-door debut in “The Man in the Moon,” the role providing a path towards a more adult perception that would carry through her string of future rom-coms like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Just Like Heaven.”
“Girl, Interrupted” (1999)
Garnering the most industry attention of these films, the adaptation of Susanna Kaysen’s memoir of the same name featured a star-studded cast of actors both experienced and emerging, resulting in the breakout role for Angelina Jolie. Adapting the memoir about Kaysen’s time in an all-female mental hospital and the troubled women she met inside, the film considers the girls’ sense of belonging in the world outside and the treatment of mental illness during the late 1960s.
Though veteran actress Winona Ryder leads the cast, it is Brittany Murphy and Jolie — who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress — that pull focus with their wildly different characters. For Jolie, the role of the bold and clinically sociopathic Lisa was perfectly suited to display the actress’s captivation, able to draw the viewer in with simply her demeanor. Jolie proves herself as an actress that is difficult to look away from, helping her to adapt iconic characters like Maleficent.
No matter the genre of movie, actors who have that “it factor” find ways to subvert expectations and demonstrate a higher level of understanding of the characters they portray. These budding performances remind viewers the importance of going to watch new movies — to see the beauty of an actor in full bloom or to spot the next one just starting to sprout.