The U.K. native followed up his film debut with another fine performance in the grim drama “Last Resort” (2000), directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. Considine played Alfie, a washed-up boxer who runs a dilapidated arcade. Considine’s endearing performance gave the otherwise stark film its comic spark. Though released in only fourteen theaters in the United States, “Last Resort” did make the festival rounds, which helped expose Considine’s already impressive acting talents to audiences and critics. Considine settled back into a light-hearted romantic comedy for his next project, “Born Romantic” (2000), about three lonely Londoners contemplating life’s greatest mystery: women. After a virtually unnoticeable role in the crime-comedy “The Martins” (2001), Considine played the troubled and volatile music manager, Rob Gretton, in “24 Hour Party People” (2002). Though unfamiliar with both Gretton and the larger Manchester music scene, Considine impressed director Michael Winterbottom enough to be cast. Once again, however, Considine gave a notable performance in a film that was barely seen by audiences, at least in America.

Considine’s fortunes changed virtually overnight when he appeared in the Oscar nominated “In America” (2003). Helmed by acclaimed director Jim Sheridan, “In America” tells the near-autobiographical tale of a man who emigrates from Ireland with his family to America in order to realize his dreams of becoming an actor. Told that he wouldn’t be playing a character based on Sheridan in the film, Considine nonetheless couldn’t help having the idea in the back of his mind. Considine’s experience on “In America” proved to be the most taxing in his short career, starting with the death of his father two weeks before shooting began. He pointed to the support of his fellow cast members, particularly the two little girls who play his daughters, as being what helped him get through. Considine also had trouble performing the love scenes with co-star Samantha Morton. Not only were the scenes the first of his career, Considine had only been with his wife, Shelly—his first-ever girlfriend. So nervous and guilt-ridden was Considine about the impending experience that he briefly considered giving up acting. However, Considine was talked into staying. Though not nominated for an Oscar like co-stars Morton and Djimon Hounsou, Considine nonetheless turned in his finest performance to date.