What the Hell Happened to Uma Thurman?

Uma Thurman has been a Batman villain, Robin Hood’s girlfriend, an Avenger (the English kind) and Quentin Tarantino’s muse.  She’s worked with Robert DeNiro, Bill Murray, John Travolta and George Clooney.  But these days, she’s shifted gears into supporting roles.  What the hell happened?

Thurman starred her career as a model at the age of 15.

thurman - modeling
Uma Thurman – Modeling career

In 1985, Thurman appeared in Glamour, a Vogue supplement and the cover of British Vogue.  Her modeling work lead to acting opportunities.  In 1988, Thurman appeared in four movies.

thurman - kiss daddy goodnight
Uma Thurman – Kiss Daddy Goodnight – 1987

Thurman’s first acting role was in the no-budget thriller, Kiss Daddy Goodnight.  Thurman played a model who picks up older men so she can drug them and rob them.  Steve Buscemi also appears in a small role.

thurman - johnny be good
Uma Thurman – Johnny Be Good – 1988

Thurman’s first mainstream movie was Johnny Be Good which co-starred Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey, Jr.

Hall was desperately trying to escape his image as the brat pack nerd.  He played a star high school quarterback and Downey played his best bud.  A couple of years earlier, Downey had tormented Hall in Weird Science.  It’s funny to remember when Iron Man played second banana to Rusty Griswold.

Johnny Be Good got bad reviews and currently holds a 0% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes.  It flopped at the box office dooming Hall to the fate suffered by most of the Brat Pack.  Thurman and Downey were more fortunate.

thurman - baron 1
Uma Thurman – The Adventures of Baron Munchausen – 1988

Later that year, Thurman had a small but eye-catching role in Terry Gilliam’s mad fantasy, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was a famously troubled movie.  Like most Gilliam movies, the flights of fancy put the film over budget.  A regime change at the studio meant that its US distributors weren’t especially excited about promoting Munchausen.  So they dumped it in relatively few theaters with little fanfare.

thurman - baron 2
Uma Thurman – The Adventures of Baron Munchausen – 1988

Thurman played the goddess Venus who emerged naked from a clam shell.  In her limited screen time, Thurman created one of the more memorably images in a film full of visual splendor.

Although Baron Munchausen flopped in the US, it fared better overseas.  Reviews were mostly positive and the film has developed a cult following.

thurman - dangerous liaisons
Uma Thurman – Dangerous Liaisons – 1988

Thurman finished the year with another small but memorable role in Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons.

Dangerous Liaisons was an adaptation of the play, Les liaisons dangereuses which has been adapted several times including the 90’s version, Cruel Intentions.  One year after, Dangerous Liaisons, Milos Forman released his adaptation, Valmont.

Frears’ adaptation starred Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer.  Thurman played Cecile, a young lover separated from her true love played by Keanu Reeves.  The couple becomes caught in a web of social politics and sexual manipulation.

Dangerous Liaisons received positive reviews and was nominated for several awards.  It was also a hit at the box office.

thurman - where the heart is
Uma Thurman – Where the Heart Is – 1990

In 1990, Thurman starred opposite Dabney Coleman in the comedy, Where the Heart Is.

Coleman played a rich demolitions expert who kicks his college-aged children out of his house to teach them a lesson.  The kids go on to find success in fashion and eventually take their father in when his company fails.

Where the Heart Is received poor reviews and flopped at the box office.

thurman - henry and june
Uma Thurman – Henry and June – 1990

Later that year, Thurman co-starred opposite Fred Ward and Maria de Medeiros in Philip Kaufman’s Henry and June.

The movie is based on books by French author, Anaïs Nin, who had a relationship with writer Henry Miller and his wife, June.  Ward played Miller and Thurman played his wife.  The two have a complicated relationship which is made more complicated by Miller’s affair with Nin (played by de Medeiros who would also appear in Pulp Fiction a few years later).

Henry and June is best-known for being the first movie to receive an NC-17 rating for its adult sexual content.  Thanks to mostly positive reviews, the film fared reasonably well at the box office in spite of the NC-17.

thurman - robin hood
Uma Thurman – Robin Hood – 1991

In 1991, Thurman starred opposite Patrick Bergin in Robin Hood.

That same year, Kevin Costner starred in Robin Hood: Price of Thieves.  At the time, Costner was at the top of the A-list.  The smaller Robin Hood film could not compete at the box office, so it was released as a TV movie in the US.

Which is a shame, because it was the better of the two Robin Hood movies released that year.

thurman - oldman
Uma Thurman and Gary Oldman

Around this time, Thurman ended her first Hollywood marriage to Gary Oldman.  Thurman had married Oldman when she was 18.  Oldman was twelve years her senior.  The marriage began to crumble when Oldman was arrested for drunk driving.  Oldman was something of a wild man and complained that Thurman was too perfect.  “You try living with an angel!” he once groused.

Uma Thurman and Kim Basinger - Final Analysis - 1992
Uma Thurman and Kim Basinger – Final Analysis – 1992

In 1992, Thurman starred opposite Richard Gere and Kim Basinger in the steamy thriller, Final Analysis.

Thurman and Basinger played sisters.  Thurman’s character was being treated by a psychiatrist played by Gere.  The whole thing leads to sex, murder and other Hitchcockian shenanigans.

It is over the top and silly like all of the erotic thrillers of the 90s.  Reviews were mixed and the movie disappointed at the box office.

thurman - jennifer 8
Uma Thurman – Jennifer 8 – 1992

Later that year, Thurman starred opposite Andy Garcia in another thriller, Jennifer 8.

Garcia played a loose cannon cop on the trail of a serial killer.  Thurman played a blind woman who “witnesses” her roommate’s murder and who may be the killer’s next victim.

Jennifer 8 got mostly negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office.

thurman - mad dog and glory
Uma Thurman – Mad Dog and Glory – 1993

In 1993, Thurman starred opposite Robert De Niro and Bill Murray in Mad Dog and Glory.

De Niro played a meek crime scene photographer ironically nicknamed Mad Dog because he has never drawn his gun.  De Niro saves the life of a mob boss played by Bill Murray.  Murray rewards him with the “personal services” of Thurman’s character, Glory.

DeNiro was originally approached to play the mobster.  But instead he insisted on playing against type as the non-violent police officer.  Audiences didn’t react well to seeing Murray dominate DeNiro, so reshoots were done to make DeNiro’s character less meek.

Despite mostly positive reviews, Mad Dog and Glory bombed at the box office.

thurman - even cowgirls get the blues
Uma Thurman – Even Cowgirls Get the Blues – 1994

In 1994, Thurman starred in Gus Van Sant’s bizarre road movie, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.

Thurman plays a woman with strangely large thumbs.  This is actually a key plot point.  She uses her enormous thumbs to hitchhike.  In her travels, she crosses paths with Keanu Reeves, Sean Young, Heather Graham and an assortment of other oddballs.

The film was savaged by critics.  After its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in 1993, its release was delayed for more editing.  But the changes didn’t save the film which eventually opened to bad reviews and flopped at the box office.  Thurman and Young were both nominated for Razzie Awards.

PULP FICTION
Uma Thurman and John Travolta – Pulp Fiction – 1994

Later that year, Thurman co-starred opposite John Travolta in Quentin Tarantino’s game-changing crime drama, Pulp Fiction.

What’s left to say about Pulp Fiction?  Its cultural impact can not be measured.  It revived Travolta’s career for the last time, minted Tarantino as one of the most influential film-makers in Hollywood and established Thurman as a household name.  The image of Thurman and Travolta dancing together is iconic.

Pulp Fiction received rave reviews and award nominations.  Thurman was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.  The film lost most of the major categories to Forest Gump in a decision that makes me angry to this day.

Speaking of the Oscars, Thurman was the subject of a notorious failed joke by host David Letterman.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-BJTE56I14]

Oprah.  Uma.  Uma.  Oprah.  Letterman came back to the bit several times that night and it never got any funnier.

thurman - a month by the lake
Uma Thurman – A Month By the Lake – 1995

n 1995, Thurman reunited with her Robin Hood director, John Irvin, for A Month By the Lake which starred Vanessa Redgrave.

A Month By the Lake was a small movie that got mostly good reviews.  It performed moderately at the box office.

Uma Thurman - Beautiful Girls - 1996
Uma Thurman – Beautiful Girls – 1996

In 1996, Thurman appeared in the ensemble comedy, Beautiful Girls.  The cast included a who’s who of the mid-90s including Matt Dillon, Timothy Hutton, Rosie O’Donnell, Natalie Portman, Michael Rapaport and Mira Sorvino.

In spite of a great cast and mostly positive reviews, Beautiful Girls was a disappointment at the box office.

thurman - truth about cats and dogs
Uma Thurman – The Truth About Cats and Dogs – 1996

Later that year, Thurman starred opposite Janeane Garofalo in The Truth About Cats and Dogs.

Garofalo played a veterinarian who hosts a radio show about pet care.  Thurman played her friend and neighbor who happens to be a tall, statuesque model.  Through a series of comic misunderstandings, both women end up in a relationship with a man who listens to Garofalo’s radio show.

The Truth About Cats and Dogs got good reviews and was a modest hit at the box office.  It was arguably the first hit of Thurman’s career in which she was the star.  Even then, one could argue that Garofalo had the leading role.

Garofalo has since disowned the movie.  Originally, it was intended to be an independent film.  But when Thurman signed on, it was changed into a more traditional Hollywood romantic comedy.  Garofalo distanced herself from The Truth About Cats and Dogs saying:

“I think it’s soft and corny. The soundtrack makes you want to puke. And everybody’s dressed in Banana Republic clothing. The original script and intent was very different. It was supposed to be a small-budget independent film, with a lot more complexity to the characters. When it became a studio commercial film, Abby and the guy wind up together at the end.”

thurman - batman and robin
Uma Thurman – Batman and Robin – 1997

In 1997, Thurman played Poison Ivy in the franchise-killing Bat-film, Batman and Robin.

Joel Schumacher’s follow-up to the 1995 hit, Batman Forever, was an over-stuffed, neon-tinted train wreck.  It ended the Batman franchise until it was rebooted eight years later with Batman Begins.  It also derailed Schumacher’s career.

Most of the cast of Batman and Robin suffered career set-backs as a result.  Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career continued to cool off.  Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone never fully recovered.  George Clooney went on to bigger and better things, but only because he vowed to stop making big-budget crap after cashing his big paycheck for Batman and Robin.

Thurman was nominated for another Razzie Award which she lost to Silverstone.  Arguably, Thurman’s campy Mae West-inspired turn is the best part of the movie.  But, that’s not saying much.

thurman - gattaca
Uma Thurman – Gattaca – 1997

Later that year, Thurman co-starred opposite Ethan Hawke and Jude Law in the sci-fi drama, Gattaca.

Gattaca dealt with the dangers of cloning and genetic engineering which were hot topics at the time.  Hawke’s character wants to be an astronaut, but is ineligible due to faulty genes.  In order to qualify for his dream job, Hawke’s character switches his results with those of Law who of course has perfect genes.

Despite positive reviews, audiences skipped Gattaca and it bombed at the box office.  Hawke and Thurman began dating and eventually married.

Uma Thurman - Les Miserable - 1998
Uma Thurman – Les Miserable – 1998

In 1998, Thurman starred opposite Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush in a non-musical adaptation of Les Miserables.  Thurman played the doomed prostitute Fantine.

Although the film received decent reviews, it was not a hit like 2012’s adaptation of the Broadway musical.  Unlike Anne Hathaway, Thurman was not nominated for anything.

thurman - avengers
Uma Thurman – The Avengers – 1998

Later that year, Thurman starred opposite Ralph Fiennes and Sean Connery in The Avengers.

Although Thurman looks like she could be playing Black Widow in that skin-tight leather, this Avengers movie was based on a British TV series.  Fiennes and Thurman played John Steed and Emma Peel who were played by Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg in the 60’s TV show.

Realizing that the had a bad movie on their hands, Warner Bros tried to shorten its runtime.  The movie was cut down to 90 minutes and is missing several key scenes.  The end result was a movie that didn’t make any sense.

Not surprisingly, The Avengers got terrible reviews and bombed at the box office.  It was nominated for several Razzie awards including Worst Actress for Thurman.

Sweet and Lowdown
Uma Thurman – Sweet and Lowdown – 1999

In 1999, Thurman rebounded with a supporting role opposite Sean Penn in Woody Allen’s Sweet and Lowdown.

Penn played a jazz musician who married a socialite played by Thurman in spite of the fact he was actually in love with a mute laundress played by Samantha Morton.  Sweet and Lowdown received mostly positive reviews and performed moderately well at the box office.

Around this time, Thurman and Hawke started a family.  Thurman backed away from her Hollywood career for a few years to focus on raising children.

thurman - vatel
Uma Thurman – Vatel – 2000

In 2000, Thurman starred opposite Gérard Depardieu and Tim Roth in Roland Joffé’s period drama, Vatel.  Later that year, she appeared opposite Kate Beckinsale, Anjelica Huston and Nick Nolte in Merchant Ivory’s The Golden Bowl.

Both films received mixed reviews and were largely ignored at the box office.

Uma Thurman - Tape - 2001
Uma Thurman – Tape – 2001

In 2001, Thurman appeared opposite then-husband, Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard in Richard Linklater’s Tape.

Tape takes place entirely in a hotel room which makes it feel like a play.  Hawke and Leonard play old friends who reunite in a hotel room to hash out some of their issues.  Thurman plays a mutual friend who may or may not have been raped in the past.

I found Tape to be a hard movie to watch largely because I have a low tolerance for Hawke.  Hawke is extra douchy in this movie and there isn’t much to focus on beyond what a huge douchebag he is.

Critics enjoyed watching Hawke’s douchery more than I.  The movie received mostly positive reviews when it played to film festival audiences.

That same year, Thurman appeared in Chelsea Walls, a movie directed by Hawke and seen by very few.  It failed to recoup its modest $100,000 budget.

VUE downloads
Uma Thurman – Hysterical Blindness – 2002

In 2002, Thurman starred opposite Gena Rowlands and Juliette Lewis in the made-for-HBO movie, Hysterical Blindness.

Thurman played a Jersey girl with a condition that causes her to lose her sight.  When Thurman and Lewis go bar-hopping to relieve their stress, Thurman’s character comes across as so desperate and needy that men lose interest in her despite her beauty.

Thurman won a Golden Globe for her performance.

thurman - kill bill 1
Uma Thurman – Kill Bill: Volume 1 – 2003

In 2003, Thurman reunited with Quentin Tarantino for the blood-soaked revenge fantasy, Kill Bill: Volume 1.

Thurman played a member of an elite group of assassins, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.  It’s a group similar to the pilot Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction starred in.  In Kill Bill, Thurman’s character is known as “The Bride” because she was left for dead at her own wedding.  When she wakes from a coma, The Bride goes on a two-movie killing spree.

Kill Bill received mostly good reviews and was a hit at the box office.  Thurman was nominated for both a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

thurman - paycheck
Uma Thurman – Paycheck – 2003

Thurman’s comeback hit an Affleck-shaped speed bump later that year when she starred opposite Ben Aflleck in John Woo’s sci-fi thriller, Paycheck.

Paycheck was based on a short story by Philip K. Dick.  Affleck plays a smug business man who has his memory wiped in order to receive a big payday.  Thurman plays the love interest who must deal with Affleck’s smugness.

Paycheck came out at a time when audiences loathed Affleck.  Although he has since reinvented himself as a talented director, Affleck was box office poison at the time.

The critics were unkind to Paycheck which basically ended Woo’s career in Hollywood.  Affleck won the Golden Raspberry for the trio of Daredevil, Gigli and Paycheck.

Paycheck opened at #5 behind Cold Mountain and Cheaper by the Dozen.  It failed to earn back its $60 million dollar budget in the US but managed to make a profit internationally.

thurman - kill bill 2
Uma Thurman – Kill Bill: Volume 2 – 2004

Fortunately, Thurman had Kill Bill: Volume 2 to fall back on in 2004.

The first volume of Kill Bill had a lot of style, but not a lot of substance.  The second film goes back and adds the personal stories that give both films some weight.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 was a well-reviewed hit just like the first film.  Over the years, Tarantino has talked about returning to the character.  But recently he has said a third movie is “unlikely”.

In 2004, Thurman divorced her second husband, Ethan Hawke.  Hawke had started an affair with the couple’s nanny whom he later married.

thurman - be cool
Uma Thurman and John Travolta – Be Cool – 2005

In 2005, Thurman reunited with John Travolta for the comedy, Be Cool.

Be Cool was a sequel to Travolta’s hit, Get Shorty.  The sequel sees former mob goon, Chili Palmer, take on the music world.  Thurman played the widow of record company mogul who teams with Travolta to revive the company.

Like most sequels, Be Cool is inferior to the original.  Its one saving grace is a dance scene between Thurman and Travolta meant to capitalize on the pair’s famous dance scene from Pulp Fiction.

Reviews were negative, but Be Cool was a modest hit at the box office.

thurman-prime
Uma Thurman – Prime – 2005

Later that year, Thurman starred opposite Meryl Streep in the romantic comedy, Prime.

Thurman played a divorced woman who takes up with a much younger man.  She confides all of her secrets in her therapist played by Streep who also happens to be her boyfriend’s mother.

Prime received negative reviews.  It opened at #3 at the box office behind Saw 2 and The Legend of Zorro.  While it was a failure in the US, it did very well overseas.

Film Title: The Producers
Uma Thurman and Matthew Broderick – The Producers – 2005

Thurman ended the year with a supporting role opposite Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane in the big screen adaptation of the musical, The Producers.

Thurman played Ulla, a beautiful Swede who becomes Lane and Broderick’s secretary when she auditions for their play.  Thurman’s part was small, but she was featured in the film’s promotional material because she was a bigger film star than Broderick or Lane.

Reviews were mixed and The Producers was a box office disappointment.

thurman - my super exgirlfriend
Uma Thurman – My Super Ex-Girlfriend – 2006

n 2006, Thurman starred opposite Luke Wilson in Ivan Reitman’s romantic super hero comedy, My Super Ex-Girlfriend.

Thurman played G-Girl, a super hero who dates an average guy played by Luke Wilson.  Wilson’s character finds dating a superhero to be stressful and breaks up with her which causes G-Girl to go crazy and vow revenge.

The problem is the premise.  It is inherently sexist as it revolves around the stereotype of the crazy ex-girlfriend.  Thurman’s spurned super girl is less funny than she is scary seeing as how she could kill her ex in half a second.

Reviews were mixed and the movie flopped in the US opening in an embarrassing 7th place behind Monster House, Lady in the Water and Clerks 2.

Uma Thurman - The Life Before Her Eyes - 2007
Uma Thurman – The Life Before Her Eyes – 2007

In 2007, Thurman starred in the thriller, The Life Before Her Eyes.  The film was not released in the US until 2008.

Thurman plays the survivor of a school shooting… or does she?

Reviews for the film were mostly negative.  Primarily, the criticism focused on the convoluted and melodramatic script.  The movie received a limited release in which it grossed roughly half of its low budget.

thurman - accidental husband
Uma Thurman – The Accidental Husband – 2008

In 2008, Thurman starred opposite Colin Firth in Griffin Dunne’s romantic comedy, The Accidental Husband.

I have to admit, I was a little surprised to see that Dunne was still directing movies in 2008.  To the best of my recollection, he had never directed a hit movie.   In 2013, Dunne directed Movie 43.  That should just about do it for him.

The Accidental Husband was released in the UK.  But its US distribution was shelved when its distributor went bankrupt.  Instead, it was released direct to video.

thurman - motherhood
Uma Thurman – Motherhood – 2009

In 2009, Thurman starred in the independently-produced comedy, Motherhood.  Motherhood received a limited release in the US and showed in one theater in London.  This qualifies Motherhood as the second lowest-grossing film in UK history.

Reviews were mostly negative though critics were kind to Thurman.  Roger Ebert said Thurman was  “doing her best with a role that may offer her less than any other in her career.”

thurman - percy jackson
Uma Thurman – Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief – 2010

In 2010, Thurman played Medusa in the fantasy film, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

Any time you see a title that long, you know the intent was to launch a franchise.  Percy Jackson was directed the Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films.  Like those films, Percy Jackson was based on a series of children’s books.

Unlike Potter, Percy Jackson received mixed reviews and was not a hit at the box office.  It fared well overseas, but failed to recoup its budget in the US.  The sequels never materialized.

Not that any of this really mattered to Thurman who basically made a cameo in the movie.

Later that year, Thurman appeared in the movie, Ceremony, which was released on video on demand before receiving a limited theatrical release.

Uma Thurman - Bel Ami - 2012
Uma Thurman – Bel Ami – 2012

In 2012, Thurman appeared opposite Robert Pattinson in the period drama, Bel Ami.

Thurman played Pattinson’s bosses wife who helps Pattinson begin his career as a writer.  When her husband dies, she marries Pattinson who also has relationships with women played by Kristin Scott Thomas and Christina Ricci.

Reviews were mostly negative based largely on Pattinson’s performance.  It’s pretty standard period soap opera.  Not bad if that’s your thing.  But Pattinson is downright distracting smirking his way through the entire film.

Uma Thurman - Playing for Keeps - 2012
Uma Thurman – Playing for Keeps – 2012

Later that year, Thurman appeared in the romantic comedy, Playing for Keeps opposite box office poison, Gerard Butler.  The film co-starred box office poison, Jessica Biel.  Thurman, Dennis Quaid and Catherine Zeta-Jones had supporting roles.

Like all of Butler’s romantic comedies, Playing for Keeps got terrible reviews and bombed at the box office.

thurman - smash
Uma Thurman – Smash – 2012

Thurman also appeared on NBC’s musical drama series, Smash.  In its first season, Smash was a ratings hit in spite of mixed reviews.  But ratings dropped in the second season.

Despite getting good reviews, Thurman was not able to boost the ratings and the series was cancelled.

Thurman was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her guest spot.

Movie 43
Uma Thurman – Movie 43 – 2013

In 2013, Thurman was part of a large ensemble in the sketch comedy movie, Movie 43.

Movie 43 was the brain child of Peter Farrelly.  It features 14 different storylines directed by 14 different directors including the aforementioned Griffin Dunne.

Thurman played Lois Lane in a segment about super hero speed dating.  The movie includes a lot of talented people and also box office poison Gerard Butler.

Alas, all of the pooled talent could not overcome Butler’s toxic presence.  The movie received toxic reviews and flopped at the box office.

Uma Thurman - Nymphomaniac - 2014
Uma Thurman – Nymphomaniac – 2014

In 2014, Thurman appeared in Lars von Trier’s controversial drama Nymphomaniac.

The original cut of the movie was over five hours long.  It was released in two volumes like Kill Bill.  Charlotte Gainsbourg stars as a self-described nymphomaniac.  Stellan Skarsgård finds her battered and beaten in an alleyway.  He takes her back to his home and listens to stories of her sexual exploits over tea.

Thurman plays the wife of one of Gainsbourg’s lovers.  When her husband leaves her for Gainsbourg, Thurman goes off on them both.  The cast included Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater and Willem Dafoe.

Von Trier’s movies tend to be love-them-or-hate-them affairs.  Most critics liked Vol 1 but reviews for Vol 2 were mixed.

Uma Thurman - The Slap - 2015
Uma Thurman – The Slap – 2015

In 2015, Thurman appeared in the NBC mini-series, The Slap.

The Slap was about a lawsuit that spins out of control when a grown man slaps someone else’s kid at a family barbecue.  But really, it was about family and the ripple effects that seemingly small actions have.  Zachary Quinto played the successful business man who raises his hand to someone else’s child.  Melissa George played the less-than-perfect mother who can’t let it go.  Thurman played a family friend who is dealing with her own maternal issues.

The U.S. mini-series was based on an Australian series of the same name.  Melissa George appeared in both.  Both series were adapted from Christos Tsiolkas’ 2008 novel.   Mary-Louise Parker was originally cast in Thurman’s role but had to drop out at the last minute due to a bout of pneumonia.

Reviews were mixed to positive, but the show was a ratings failure.

Uma Thurman - Plastic Surgery? - 2015
Uma Thurman – Plastic Surgery? – 2015

While Thurman was promoting The Slap, she made some appearances in which she was virtually unrecognizable.  Rumors ran wild that Thurman had undergone plastic surgery.  Thurman denied the claims and said that she was experimenting with her make-up.

The following day, Thurman appeared on The Today Show looking more or less like the actress we all know unlike Renee Zellweger who remains unrecognizable.

So, what the hell happened?

For starters, it could be argued that Thurman was never really that big of a star to begin with.  For such a long filmography, Thurman has been the star of relatively few movies.  She played a lot of supporting roles and was in a lot of ensemble movies.

Even when Thurman was the lead in the Kill Bill movies, she wasn’t really the star.  The main draw of those films was Tarantino.

In the mid-90’s, Thurman appeared in two big budget summer movies back to back.  Both Batman and Robin and The Avengers were notorious flops.  Those sorts of things are hard to come back from.  Were it not for Tarantino, she probably wouldn’t have made it into the 21st century.

Thurman has also left the spotlight voluntarily to deal with family issues.  First to raise her kids and then to deal with her divorce from Hawke.  When actresses focus on their personal lives, it is usually at the expense of their career.

While Thurman is no longer on Hollywood’s A-list, she continues to work.  While she is unlikely to return to being a top draw (assuming she ever was one), you can never rule out another movie with Tarantino.  I suspect she will continue working in more supporting roles, independent films and maybe TV for a long time to come.

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bakedmoviereviews
10 years ago

‘Be Cool’: Get Shorty gets shitty.

RB
RB
10 years ago

Enjoyed this latest entry in a great series.
“Playing for Keeps” isn’t great… but also not quite as bad as its savage treatment by the critics would suggest.. there were some good performances given the limited possibilities of the script. Uma Thurman along with costars Dennis Quaid and Catherine Zeta-Jones helped breathe some life into the project, (Gerard Butler was surprisingly watchable for most of his scenes) however this movie isn’t going to do any of their careers any good.

daffystardust
Editor
10 years ago

Thurman is an appealing presence and seems to have a good sense of humor and pretty good instincts. Early on her sexuality was highlighted and it would’ve been easy to tag her as the kind of actress who wouldn’t last more than 5 years in the spotlight. But Tarantino sure did help her out twice! Not that she didn’t deserve it. She was excellent in both Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill films. Unfortunately, although she is still a very attractive woman, age has caught up with her and the transition has not been smooth. She was miscast in the… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

The CineFiles – TV On Film!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e52VvDofdkU
The hosts argued that Uma was miscast in the 1998 “Avengers” movie and that Elizabeth Hurley would’ve been a better choice for Emma Peel.

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

10 Formally Respected Actors Who Have Probably Gone Insane: http://whatculture.com/film/10-formally-respected-actors-who-have-probably-gone-insane.php/9 2. Uma Thurman Is Uma Thurman really this reliant on Quentin Tarantino to make a good film? Having become a member of the Hollywood elite with Pulp Fiction, she became further synonymous with the director after appearing as the main character The Bride in the Kill Bill movies. However, since the release of Kill Bill Volume 2, Uma has not done anything remotely as substantial; instead she has chosen to lower herself to appearing in bad romantic comedies like My Super Ex-Girlfriend and The Accidental Husband. In 2010, she topped… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Tracking the Career of Uma Thurman:
http://www.reelz.com/article/947/tracking-the-career-of-uma-thurman/
As Uma Thurman’s latest movie, Motherhood, gets a very limited theatrical release this weekend, we’re left wondering how this once A-list star’s career went in the tank well before she turned 40. Quentin Tarantino and Kill Bill: Vol. 3 (set for a 2019 release) might be her only hope. We’re pulling for you, Uma!

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Uma Thurman’s Career Needs a ‘Bill’ Boost: http://www.popeater.com/2010/04/02/uma-thurman-career-motherhood/ Maybe Uma Thurman should finally take David Letterman up on his 1995 offer to meet Oprah Winfrey — at this point, considering her latest film’s box-office numbers, it couldn’t hurt. ‘Motherhood’ opened this past weekend in the UK and made around $130 at the box office. Now, to be clear about a couple of things: That wasn’t a typo where we forgot to add the word “million” at the end of $130. And, we know what you’re also thinking: That we didn’t convert the exchange rate from pounds to dollars. We did.… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

11 Crappiest Movies of Uma Thurman’s Career:
http://www.pajiba.com/seriously_random_lists/11-crappiest-movies-of-uma-thurmans-career.php
For many reasons, I prefer to think of Uma Thurman exclusive in a Quentin Tarantino context. Let’s face it — she’s never performed better for any other director, and otherwise, she has terrible taste in screenplays. Uma has appeared in so many crappy movies, and here are the top eleven of them:

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

The comments regarding Uma’s height being problematic makes me wonder if Geena Davis’ (another beautiful but really tall female WTHHT subject) career ultimately suffered because too?

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  lebeau

10 Movie Franchises That Were Doomed To Fail: http://whatculture.com/film/10-movie-franchises-that-were-doomed-to-fail.php/11 The Avengers What’s it about? Adapted from the British television series from the 1960s, The Avengers follows the adventures of John Steed and Emma Peel (Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman) as they go head to head against Sean Connery’s Sir August de Wynter. In between bouts of poorly choreographed action they sip tea, doff hats and generally engage in dreadfully stereotypical “British” behavior which only a non-Brit would find remotely amusing. Why was it doomed to fail? Kingsman: The Secret Service recently proved that a posh bloke in a bowler hat… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

What Happened to Uma Thurman’s Career?: http://www.film-q.mtvi.com/movies/uma-thurman-movies-comeback In Gerard Butler’s latest critically reviled vehicle “Playing for Keeps,” Oscar-nominee Uma Thurman plays second fiddle to Jessica Biel, an actress better known for her love life than her acting career. As Patti, a bored trophy housewife married to a philandering husband (Dennis Quaid), Thurman, as always, gives the underwritten supporting role her all, vamping it up when Robbie Fox’s misogynistic script calls for it and stealing scenes from Biel (Butler’s romantic interest in the film) when she’s included in the same frame (which is sadly not all that often). Still, despite her… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Who were the up-and-coming actors that never became huge stars? http://forum.dvdtalk.com/12344569-post453.html Add Uma Thurman to the list of actresses who fell short. And she did it to herself. She chose to step back from acting when she became a mother and would only work in New York. The one big exception she made was the Kill Bill flicks. Those movies are apparently going to be the defining role of her career. But let’s face it, she had another liability: she’s a giant. She’s 6 feet tall out of heels in a city full of midgets. I saw ‘Mad Dog and… Read more »

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago

I love these blogs! Could you possibly do ones on Moira Kelly, Rob Schneider, and Denis Leary?

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Your welcome!

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  Higgins

Isn’t the main knock against Denis Leary is that he pretty much “stole” most of his act from Bill Hicks?
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&q=Bill+Hicks+Denis+Leary&oq=Bill+Hicks+Denis+Leary&gs_l=psy-ab.3…1172.4618.0.4792.23.21.0.0.0.0.190.2484.1j17.18.0.foo%2Ccfro%3D1%2Cnso-ehuqi%3D1%2Cnso-ehuui%3D1%2Cewh%3D0%2Cnso-mplt%3D2%2Cnso-enksa%3D0%2Cnso-enfk%3D1%2Cnso-usnt%3D1%2Cnso-qnt-npqp%3D0-1633%2Cnso-qnt-npdq%3D0-5608%2Cnso-qnt-npt%3D0-1229%2Cnso-qnt-ndc%3D2051%2Ccspa-dspm-nm-mnp%3D0-06145%2Ccspa-dspm-nm-mxp%3D0-153625%2Cnso-unt-npqp%3D0-1506%2Cnso-unt-npdq%3D0-4694%2Cnso-unt-npt%3D0-061%2Cnso-unt-ndc%3D300%2Ccspa-uipm-nm-mnp%3D0-007625%2Ccspa-uipm-nm-mxp%3D0-053375…0…1.1.64.psy-ab..5.10.1379.0..0j35i39k1j0i131k1j0i67k1j0i20k1.fFqCHJJZ12s

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago

By the way, I don’t know if you do this, but if you do Moira Kelly, the reason she hasn’t been in a mainstream released movie since about 1995 was because she apparently quit Hollywood because she didn’t like their ideals especially considering she was a christian.

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago

Also, what do you think of my other 2 choices?

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Thanks! Actually, now that I think about it, I think all of Adam Sandler’s co-stars and the other 2 guys who star in the Ice Age movies would be good suggestions!

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago

Actually I sort of take that back-you can sum up a WTTH article for Ray Romano in a paragraph: He was a stand-up comedian no one heard of until he made a sitcom that was a big hit. He starred in an animated movie that was also successful and spawned off sequels. But his attempt at becoming a movie star fell through when Welcome to Mooseport flopped. Now he’s been relegated to Ice Age sequels and TV appearances.
Not that interesting, now that I think about it…Even Moira Kelly got more chances to be a star than him!

RB
RB
10 years ago
Reply to  Higgins

Romano isn’t an A list movie actor, if he did any movies at all, none come to mind. TV wise he might be considered A? Not sure though. I never really got the whole grading system but it seems to be that for A list movie actors/actresses, it’s about awards and the ability to open a movie on their name alone. So I’m guessing the people you listed are all fine comics but mostly TV and don’t have A list movie careers to be profiled. Rob Schneider, though.. wasn’t he in something?

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago
Reply to  RB

He was in Welcome to Mooseport-it’s fine if you haven’t heard of it, it really came and went!

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago

Also he’s in those Ice Age things.

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Yeah, that’s why I took back the Ray Romano suggestion. John Leguizamo, though, might not be such a bad idea…

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  lebeau

9 TV Stars Who Horribly Botched Their Big Leap Into Films: http://whatculture.com/film/9-tv-stars-horribly-botched-big-leap-films.php/7 Ray Romano Ray Romano was on top of the world during his nine-season run on his sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Not only was Romano the star of the show, but he also produced the show and wrote many episodes. During the series Romano also voiced Manny the woolly mammoth in Ice Age, a role he has reprised in three more movies and a television special. However, live action film success has been elusive for Romano. The first film he starred in, 2004′s Welcome to Mooseport, didn’t even make… Read more »

Higgins
Higgins
10 years ago

Thanks! Another suggestion is Maria Pitillo. Despite the fact that her IMDB page is dead, she was apparently a rising star at one point.

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago
Reply to  Higgins

Hilary Swank is somebody (since another past Best Actress Oscar winner in Reese Witherspoon, is now on the WTHHT poll) who I would suggest for a future “What the Hell Happened to…” article:
http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/01/07/hilary-swanks-dvd/

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

Post-Oscar Underachievers:15 Academy Award Winners Whose Follow-Ups Did Not Hold Up:
http://styleblazer.com/120232/post-oscar-underachievers15-academy-award-winners-whose-follow-ups-did-not-hold-up/4/
Two time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank shouldn’t be on this list. But since being honored for Million Dollar Baby, the actress has been racking up a series of cinematic clunkers. Quite frankly, titles like The Reaping, The Resident, and The Black Dahlia failed to utilize the actresses talents like her Oscar darlings. She too will be descending into the ranks of made-for-television movies this year with Mary & Marcy, a drama produced by HBO and the BBC.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Swank will be a very interesting read, one I look forward to. Be sure not to forget The Next Karate Kid in her write-up! You would never guess that she would grow as an actress from the poor man’s Ralph Macchio to a multi-Academy Award winning actress.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
10 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Wow, I completely forgot she was fired from BH90210. That’s definately going to be a juicy part of the article right there. More of a side-note really, but i find it interesting that KK4 has Pat Morita returning to his Oscar nominated role as Miyagi (he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the first film), and of course Swank would go on to multiple Oscar wins later in her career. Bit player Walton Goggins would even go on to win an Oscar for Best Short Film also. More of a hint of Oscar prestigue (past and future) than one… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  Higgins

Whatever Happened to…?: Vol. 4 – Maria Pitillo: http://znculturecast.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/whatever-happened-to-vol-4-maria-pitillo/ The TriStar Pictures produced American remake of Godzilla was a hotly anticipated film back in 1998. Sony’s marketing team worked overtime, making sure the film was absolutely everywhere (I still remember the Taco Bell tie-ins and the awful soundtrack). The special effects looked, at the time, stunning. Godzilla’s creature design itself was a huge secret going in, with even the toys being blacklisted from release until a certain date so as not to spoil the “surprise.” Director Roland Emmerich had scored mega-success two years prior with Independence Day, one of the… Read more »

Xas
Xas
10 years ago

Kill Bill received mostly good reviews and was a hit at the box office. Thurman was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
Lebeau, Thurman wasn’t nominated for the Oscar. She was nominated for the BAFTA and Golden Globes. This year, the Oscar nominees were: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Diane Keaton, Samantha Morton, Charlize Theron (the winner) and Naomi Watts.

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

Joel Schumacher’s Batman: 6 Things He Did Better Than Nolan: http://whatculture.com/film/joel-schumachers-batman-6-things-he-did-better-than-nolan.php/6 2. Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy It’s all pure camp. There’s no denying that. But it’s the good kind of camp. It’s the What Ever Happened To Baby Jane/ Mommie Dearest kind of camp. I think the difference between good camp and bad camp is whether or not the actor is able to pull off the performance. Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze falls into the category of bad camp because he played the part so over the top that he lost his motivation and let the character get away… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

5 Reasons Why Batman And Robin Is A Genuine Guilty Pleasure Movie: http://whatculture.com/film/5-reasons-why-batman-and-robin-is-a-genuine-guilty-pleasure-movie.php/5 2. Poison Ivy The performance of Uma Thurman is one which has divided the die-hard comic book community, however there are several factors which make her portrayal of Red a defining highlight, not just of Batman and Robin, but the entire series. Uma had a hard act to follow. Two films earlier, the physical and independent portrayal of Catwoman by Michelle Pfeiffer set the bar for female villains in Gotham. As such, the selection of Poison Ivy, an indulgent, controlling, siren who shamelessly seduces the opposite sex… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

8 Fictional Characters That Are Hotter Than The Actress Who Played Them: http://whatculture.com/film/8-fictional-characters-that-are-hotter-than-the-actress-who-played-them.php/2 8. Uma Thurman/Poison Ivy – Batman And Robin Uma Thurman makes her way through various different points on the hotness scale. Most of the time she looks average, other times she looks rugged but in some films she manages to look downright hot. Batman and Robin is one of those films where she looks hot, despite the fact that the film sucks badly. Not much can be said about the quality of Batman and Robin as a film but for all the terrible things that came out… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Batman on Film Part 6: Batman & Robin (1997):
http://www.superfriendsuniverse.com/batman-on-film-part-6-batman-robin-1997/
Uma Thurman portrays Poison Ivy. Sigh. Really? Poison Ivy is supposed to be a seductive knock-out. And while I love her as “The Bride” in Kill Bill, Uma Thurman always kind of strikes me as a dirty hippie and not a devilish temptress that Ivy is supposed to be. She was horribly miscast, but in the end result of this film… does it really matter? Thurman was obviously cast because after the success of Pulp Fiction, she was kind of an “It” girl.

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

BATMAN PROJECT – BATMAN AND ROBIN (1997): https://thegeekclassics.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/batman-project-batman-and-robin-1997/ All traces of the almost-real world logic of the Burton series are well and truly gone by this point as is the interest in developing compelling origins for the villains with each originating after boringly being doused/injected with a respective chemical. Uma Thurman essentially plays the same role as Catwoman in BATMAN RETURNS, transforming from meek and bullied Dr. Pamela Isley into sensual super villain Poison Ivy, but the transformation is handled so poorly and the acting both before and after the transformation so over the top that it makes Michelle Pfeiffer’s… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

The Many Times The ‘Batman & Robin’ Cast Have Trashed (Or Defended) The Movie http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/batman-robin-20th-anniversary_us_59413abee4b003d5948c622f In 2014, when I interviewed Uma Thurman with childlike glee, she linked the reception of “Batman & Robin” to audiences’ unwillingness to accept superhero stories that don’t revel in hyper-masculine aesthetics. Whether or not Thurman’s analysis holds weight, she waxed poetic about the evolution of queer sensibilities in a way that I’ll never forget. Thurman resisted applying the word “camp” to “Batman & Robin,” and she’s right. True camp has a certain self-awareness that this film distinctly lacks. It’s just a bloated, silly circus designed… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

BATMAN HISTORY: WHAT KILLED THE DINOSAURS? THE ICE AGE! http://antagonie.blogspot.com/2012/07/batman-history-what-killed-dinosaurs.html Not a single element of the film is played straight, but this isn’t the worst part: the worst part is that nobody takes it at all seriously. Because even dizzy camp can and must be taken seriously, as the ’60s show perfectly demonstrates. Schumacher, famously, directs with a pronounced lack of interest in the actual movie, focusing instead on the dopiest elements of the humor he can scrounge up (also the bodies of three heroes, but really just in their introductions: the sight of Bat-A** is weird enough for it… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Batman and Robin Commentary Podcast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTOTyf5REKo
Uma’s performance as Poison Ivy and career in general is talked about in from approximately the 1:11:53-1:14:32. Does anybody else agree w/ the argument that when Uma Thurman really cares about a project she can give a really good performance? However when she seemingly doesn’t (as evidence by “Batman & Robin” for example), it isn’t all that fun to watch!?

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Why doesn’t Uma Thurman get the praise that Michelle Pfeiffer gets for Batman?
http://www.afterld.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-49560.html

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Batman – Joel Schumacher — Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997): http://3brothersfilm.com/2012/07/batman-joel-schumacher-batman-forever-1995-and-batman-robin-1997/ Like with all the Batman films before it, the villains of Batman & Robin dominate the film, which is unfortunate because Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy were the worst villains yet. Schwarzenegger’s Freeze is a pun-machine, literally spewing off more ice puns than actual lines. While Freeze is a hilarious joke of a character, Poison Ivy is a painful mess to watch. Ivy is probably Thurman’s worst performance to date. Not only does her performance lack even the groan-inducing humor of Schwarzenegger’s… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Batman & Robin – Hilariocity Review w/ The Flick Pick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96RNv7ba8o
Chris Stuckmann and John Flickinger team up to review one of the dumbest movies ever made, Batman & Robin!

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

13 Comic Book Villains That Movies Ruined Worse Than Dr. Doom: http://whatculture.com/film/13-comic-book-villains-that-movies-ruined-worse-than-dr-doom.php/9 Poison Ivy (Batman & Robin) It’s clear that Poison Ivy was supposed to be a sexy seductress in Joel Schumacher’s infamous misfire, but due to the agonizing amount of camp, Uma Thurman’s take on the character ends up being more freaky and annoying than desirable. Who can forget the scene in which Ivy dances around in a gorilla suit before administering her love potion to Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (Chris O’Donnell), leading to the infuriating “Bat credit card” moment. Her plan, to cover the world with her… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/many-times-apos-batman-robin-120041257.html Matt 18 hours ago Kinda weird that Uma Thurman makes a comparison to #$%$ culture” when this movie and that concept had nothing to do with it, frankly. I think Batman and Robin is an extremely important cultural milestone–it marked the point in history where we finally knew how much silly cartoon nonsense in a comic book movie was “too much”. It’s still incredibly fun to watch in its own right just because of how much it does wrong; it’s endearing in the way that a house fly thunking repeatedly against a light bulb is endearing. Anyway, filmmakers took… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

10 Actors Who Need To Make A Great Movie Before It’s Too Late: http://whatculture.com/film/10-actors-who-need-to-make-a-great-movie-before-its-too-late.php/6 6. Uma Thurman Last Great Movie: Kill Bill, Vol. 2 (2004) Lovely Uma Thurman started her career making good films like Pulp Fiction and Tape, and bad movies like Batman & Robin and The Avengers, but there was a nice balance going on – she was just like all the other Hollywood stars. Despite the fact that Quentin Tarantino is renowned for bringing forgotten actors out of the [expletive] and into the limelight, he seems to have had the total opposite effect on poor ol’ Uma… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

8 Talented Actors Who Just Made Five Awful Movies In A Row: http://whatculture.com/film/8-talented-actors-who-just-made-five-awful-movies-in-a-row.php/2 8. Uma Thurman The Five Awful Movies: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Ceremony, Bel Ami, Savages (role was cut out), Playing For Keeps, There was a time when I actually cared what Uma Thurman was doing, and that time was back in 2003, when Kill Bill was coming out, and she was one of the my favorite actresses. Prior to writing this article, though, I realized that I hadn’t really thought about Uma Thurman for a couple of years, and I wondered why. I… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

10 Actors Who Hit Career Derailing Box-Office Free Falls:
http://www.pajiba.com/box_office_round-ups/10-actors-who-hit-career-derailing-boxoffice-free-falls.php
Finally, Uma Thurman has been in free-fall essentially since 2005’s Be Cool, starting with Producers and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, hitting a low point with Motherhood, a movie that had an opening weekend of £88 in the UK. Poor Uma.

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Bad Luck or Bad Choices: 10 movie stars who can’t buy a hit:
http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/overlay/bad-luck-or-bad-choices-10-movie-stars-who-cant-buy-a-hit#10
Uma Thurman
“Ceremony”: is a movie we did not know existed
“Bel Ami”: bad luck
“Playing for Keeps”: third banana to Jessica Biel and Gerard Butler
“Movie 43”: bad luck
Our advice: “Kill Bill, Vol. 3.” Make it happen, Uma. Make. It. Happen.

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Movies which were star vehicles and the star blew their chance at super-stardom: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/archive/t-566324.html 12-13-09, 02:36 AM 12-13-09, 02:36 AM Luke Wilson is a walking monument to epic fail. Dude gets so many chances I have to wonder who he has pictures of. But while I think Wilson has no redeemable talent, Uma Thurman certainly does and has blown repeated opportunities. Ok, she was 18-19 and freaked out at all the attention her naked boobs got in ‘Dangerous Liasons’ and went into hiding for a year. She was a kid. But post ‘Pulp Fiction,” she was doing ‘Beautiful Girls’ and… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Derailed Film Stars: Luke Wilson Looking for Relevance: http://www.twcc.com/content/twccentral/articles/2015/03/15/d/derailed-film-stars-luke-wilson-looking-for-relevance.html Luke Wilson has always been the “other Wilson” to his older brother Owen. There was a time, however, when Luke was as highly regarded as his sibling, with the two both starting their careers appearing in college chum Wes Anderson’s films. Luke Wilson then parlayed his more standard good looks into playing the straight man for comedians like Will Ferrell and Martin Lawrence. But it’s been a long while since the last time that Wilson had anything resembling a big screen hit, either commercially or critically. While he’s part of the… Read more »

Terrence Michael Clay
10 years ago

10 Actresses Who Could Use a Career Reboot: http://whatculture.com/film/10-actresses-who-could-use-a-career-reboot.php/7 4. Uma Thurman When you stop to think of Uma Thurman’s career, it’s easy to see it through rose-colored glasses. That’s because her most defining work has been VERY defining. Chalk it up to the power of Quentin Tarantino. Her sole Oscar nomination came for her turn in Pulp Fiction, and people have loved her ever since. Just when we thought she was a thing of the past, she roared back onto the scene in the Kill Bill double-feature and reminded people just how adeptly she can handle Tarantino’s particular brand… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

10 Movie Stars Who Could Really, Really Use A Hit Right Now: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/10-Movie-Stars-Who-Could-Really-Really-Use-Hit-Right-Now-40183.html Uma Thurman Thanks to her iconic role in Pulp Fiction, a handful of very well received performances and her high profile former relationships with Ethan Hawke and Gary Oldman, Uma Thurman is still very much a famous actress. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been the leading lady in anything that could be considered a hit since Kill Bill Volume 2 all the way back in 2004. Even worse, she hasn’t really contributed anything to any films any of us actually enjoy in the time since, apart from the mediocre… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

12 Actors Who Basically Guarantee You Make A Flop: http://whatculture.com/film/12-actors-basically-guarantee-make-flop.php/2 Uma Thurman In fairness, Uma Thurman has had a number of financial successes over the last few years, such as Kill Bill Volume 2, Be Cool (an ensemble piece), Prime, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, the first Percy Jackson movie (a franchise, and she only had a small part in it), Movie 43 (as part of an ensemble), and Nymphomaniac (in a small role that’s part of an ensemble). As you can see, a good number of her hits are heavily qualified by the fact that Thurman’s presence had little bearing on… Read more »

RetepAdam
RetepAdam
10 years ago

Tell me that “Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career continued to cool off” was an intentional Mr. Freeze pun.
If so, bravo.

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

10 Most Wildly Inconsistent Actors In Movie History: http://whatculture.com/film/10-wildly-inconsistent-actors-movie-history.php/8 Uma Thurman Uma Thurman is the Mark Wahlberg of actresses, in the sense that we all – deep down – know she’s a good actress (probably), but she’s turned in so many middling, lousy or downright bad performances over the years that it’s hard to remember whether or not she’s any actually any good. If you took Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill movies out of Thurman’s filmography, you’d have to wade through a lot of sludge to find any worthwhile performances. And yet because of those Tarantino roles, we know… Read more »

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