The Bottom Line: Jude Can’t ‘Break’ Law of Diminishing Returns

So Jude Law feels “angry” that Chris Rock dissed him during the 2005 Oscars.

“Rock crossed the line,” Law moaned to The New York Times in September, after the comedian questioned why Law was “in everything” in 2004 despite not being a star of the caliber of Tom Cruise.

True, Law “has no control” over the release of his films, including Breaking and Entering (which opened Jan. 26 in New York, earning $21,160 at two theaters). And, all joking aside, the comparison to Cruise also is unfair, even if Cruise originally turned down the role that went to Law in Cold Mountain. Few actors have had more blockbusters than Cruise.

But Law‘s response to Rock‘s ribbing may reveal more about the English pretty boy than he intended. He comes across as an actor who can’t laugh at himself, is thin skinned, and needs his colleagues to defend his honor.

More important, Law has no true sense of his place in Hollywood.

Thanks to 1999’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, Law went from Jude the somewhat obscure to England’s hottest import since Hugh Grant. And that led to roles in films directed by Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. His relationship with director Anthony Minghella has yielded Ripley, Cold Mountain and, now, Breaking and Entering.

But Law hasn’t won over audiences.

He’s co-starred in a few hits, but you can’t attribute the success of Cold Mountain, Ripley and Road to Perdition to his presence. And A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Enemy at the Gates and The Holiday cost more than they earned at the U.S. box office.

Then there are the bombs I Love Huckabees, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, and the ill-advised remakes Alfie and All the King’s Men. Hopefully Sleuth—pairing him with Michael Caine, a star of the original 1972 comic murder mystery—will prove a more enjoyable redo than the hopelessly outdated remake of Caine‘s Alfie.

Perhaps Law‘s having a tough time winning over audiences because he’s failed to live up to Sean Penn’s OTT response to Rock‘s ribbing. Sorry, Law is not “one of our finest actors.” Nor is he in the discussion.

Don’t be fooled by the Ripley and (the undeserved) Cold Mountain Oscar nominations. Law‘s yet to deliver on the promise of Ripley. His dramatic performances lack the same emotional resonance as those of his co-stars. Clive Owen walked all over Law in Closer.

Also, Law‘s yet to master the American accent. That renders his U.S. characters as colorless as, say, his Southern drawl in All the King’s Men.

The intriguing but plodding Breaking and Entering would have benefited from Owen’s intensity. Sure, Law made a bold decision to play a bored Londoner who cheats on Robin Wright-Penn with Juliette Binoche. This invites comparisons to Law‘s failed marriage to Sadie Frost and dalliance with Sienna Miller. Unfortunately, Law fails to adequately convey the mixed feelings his protagonist experiences while cheating on his longtime girlfriend.

Funny enough, Law is at his comfortable and charismatic when being nothing more than dashing or seductive. Witness Sky Captain and, until events turn ugly, Alfie. That does give hope that Sleuth won’t be a disaster à la Alfie.

The disappointing U.S response to The Holiday—$63.2 million vs. $114 million overseas—is baffling. Maybe audiences hated Law being paired a goofball like Cameron Diaz. Or didn’t believe Kate Winslet could ever fall for Jack Black. Law, though, saved The Holiday from being unbearably smug. He’s quite suited for romantic comedies, and he could give Hugh Grant a run for his money if he wanted.

Law deserves admiration for constantly challenging himself. He’s also made some smart choices. he knows when to not to pursue roles—think James Bond or Superman. However, whether Law remains the recipient of many more sought-after roles hangs on whether audience continue to shun him for failing to rise to the occasion time and time again.

The Bottom Line
Given that he was not amused at being the butt of Chris Rock’s jokes, Law clearly needs to lighten up. Going on The Holiday was a good start. And he will need his wits about him when he faces Michael Caine in Sleuth. That goes double for when Law finds himself another drama, based on his lackluster performances in All the King’s Men and Breaking and Entering. Otherwise, Law may never live up to Sean Penn’s lofty praise.