At first, I planned for this piece to be a review of one of my favorite Katie movies: Wonder Boys. But in trying to put the review together, it instead got me thinking of how important Wonder Boys may have been to Katie's career. Prior to Wonder Boys, Katie had been in "Teaching Mrs. Tingle," a movie ravaged by the critics as "Insipid and thick" - and that was one of the kinder reviews! Before TMT there had been "Go," which was supposed to be Katie's 'breakout' movie but most of the praise went instead to co-star Sarah Polley. And before "Go" there was "Disturbing Behavior," another critical disaster. As a Katie fan it had been depressing reading the reviews of her movies, but then came "Wonder Boys." While her role is small and not everyone liked the movie as much as I did, here are some reasons I think it was so important to her career: 1) Katie worked with great actors and a respected director. In one movie she went from playing opposite Barry Watson to Michael Douglas. No disrespect to Mr. Watson, but the actors in "Wonder Boys" were top notch - Michael Douglas, Robert Downey Jr, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand - should I go on? In addition this movie was director Curtis Hanson's follow-up to L.A Confidential. Excellent actors and an experienced director ensured the critics and the public took notice. 2) I think Katie finally received respect from her peers for her role in Wonder Boys. Stepping outside the teenage mould, Katie was given the chance to stretch her acting abilities and Stephen Gaghan even mentioned that after seeing Katie in Wonder Boys, he wrote the script for Abandon with her in mind. Ok, so maybe that wasn't such a great thing. ;) 3) You could read a review of a Katie Holmes movie without being disappointed . Many reviewers who weren't fans of Katie's earlier work finally gave her props for her portrayl of Hannah Green in Wonder Boys. The reviews would often read, "Even though I'm not a fan of Miss Holmes' past work, in this movie she..." and would continue to point out her talents. 4) "Even though your book is really beautiful, it's...very detailed. You know, with the genealogies of everyone's horses, and the dental records, and so on. I could be wrong, but it sort of reads in places like you didn't make any choices." Katie's speech to Michael Douglas near the end is frequently mentioned as a high point of the film; a recent article by screenwriter Steven Kloves mentions just that and Roger Ebert's (****) review of the movie references Katie's speeches several times. Showing strength of character and a caring honesty, Katie's talent stole the scene from an imposing Michael Douglas. 5) She's a college student in the film. Katie was finally playing her age and the audience was able to see an added depth and maturity in her character. So summing up, I truly believe Wonder Boys was a turning point in Katie's career. She decided that occasionally playing smaller roles in films with better actors/directors could get her the recognition in the industry that her previous efforts hadn't. I think Wonder Boys is where critics (and some moviegoers) who weren't rabid Katie fans saw that she could have a future in films once her teen-queen Dawson-days were over. Now, judging by her upcoming roles - such as Rachel Dobson in the big-budgeted "Batman Begins" - they were right. Visitor Responses From Thomas: I agree with the assumption that "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" wasn't the best place to showcase Katie's considerable talent as an actress, but I thought "GO" showed that she could be both funny and serious in the same role. It isn't so much the roles she has chosen so far, as it is the attention and depth to which she brings to each role. One feels that she involves herself in the character at hand and passionately plays it to a satisfying end. I can't say that she has ever disappointed me with her acting, she never takes a part for granted. This shows the director that he or she was right in offering her the opportunity to star in that film. Being careful about selecting good roles in either small or large projects should bode well for her future. I look forward to her future careeer. From James: I agree that "Wonder Boys" is a excellent film and despite its good reviews, I believe it still remains very underrated. Not to overlook the believable character portrayals of Douglas, Downey and Maguire, but Katie was a huge part of the success of this film. But if you take a look at all Katie's films prior to "Wonder Boys" with exception of "The Ice Storm" in which we didn't even see her enough to develop a good idea of her character, all of her acting roles have been quite opposite to the role that made her a household name on "Dawson's Creek." Let's face it, Joey Potter would never have a nose ring or kidnap her teacher or even consider having a late night/early morning make out session with a drug dealer. The character of Hannah Green isn't identical to Katie Holmes but in comparison to her prior movie characters Hannah Green is as close as it gets. We as Katie fans grew so accustomed to sweet, innocent, girl next door Joey Potter that to see her any other way seemed wrong, and somewhat unbelievable. In "Wonder Boys" she brings back that innocent charm and the character of Hannah Green is not only believable but in this case becomes a scene stealer to the older and more experienced actors in the film. "Wonder Boys" was a huge step for Katie, because from then on she would begin to take roles for prestige value rather then their commercial value. She wants to act with good actors and for good directors. Even though Katie's choices in film have not always been commercial successes she continues to do excellent work. It will be interesting to see what kind of commercial success will come with her next two films. Will "First Daughter" be widely marketed or will it end up as "Pieces of April" did, which really only reached true Katie fans. Obviously her latest film "Batman Begins" will definitly be commercial, but I hope it can give her career another boost just like "Wonder Boys" did a few years ago. From Jim: There is NO turning point in a career, other than a drunk actor sobering up and getting back on track. An acting career is a long slide. Even the best of them have to go to the cattle calls and read dialogue and make screen tests. It is part of the process. The actors who get better in the craft continue to get parts; and the ones who don't, don't. Simple. Take a look at the actresses around these days (and also consider those of the past 20 years). There is a woefully short life at the top. Hell, it can be compared to the life expectancy of a 2nd Lt. in battle: DAMN short! Katie is competing with a stable of fine fillies right now! She has a persona which will tie her to some directors and casting agents and get those jobs. Plus there are the screenwriters who write a script with her in mind. But hopefully she will find herself at 40 still getting the guy and still getting the part. Should she go back to TV? No. And Yes. She should go where the jobs are and fight for each and every one. She hired an agent and a publicist to help her make decisions; hopefully, they are neither stupid nor mopes. But the days of Network TV are numbered. The big thing now is this reality crap; the suits and bean counters should take a very close look at the really bad decisions the programming folks are making. Prime time TV sucks. And what is truly terrible is that the seeming success of these crappy "Reality Shows" is influencing other networks to provide more of the same. Folks, do the nation a favor; DO NOT watch this dreck. Write the suits and demand that they create new programs for not only the present Katies but the follow-on Katies as well. Otherwise, we will soon have the choice between a lemon and a grapefruit for our evening programming pleasure. And let's hope Katie gets a more-than-fair slice of the pie. From Lenny: The real problem with Katie's films, including Wonder Boys, is that she is playing off-type in non-commercial films that lose money. In doing so she is getting no traction with the movie-going audience and is not building a strong fan base. Frankly, if she didn't have Dawson's Creek to keep her afloat all these years she has been making dark, trashy, unprofitable films she would have been back in Toledo years ago. Show business is two words. If she doesn't get the business part soon she is toast. Katie needs to make on-type mainstream films that give her fans the Katie Holmes they know and like, so they will come into the theaters and make money at the box office, and she needs to do this soon. From Indri: I agree, Wonder Boys make Katie career look delicious. She worked with great actor/actress, also a good director and the script pretty good. She has a small role and her performance very unforgettable, and she has many good comment from her co stars especially from Michael Douglas. But unfortunately after she play in this movie she play in "Abandon" movie with Stephen Gaghan as director. Well I never think this a good movie, just make me wonder why Katie never said no, like her co worker Kevin Williamson who give her role on Dawson Creak and Teaching Ms Tingle. I always thinking Katie only good in small role but not realy bright if she has a big role like on Abandon and Teaching Ms Tingle. I think she look brave on "The Gift" too, well she has a small role in there and many good actor/actress in this movie. Is Wonder Boys a turning point for Katie's career? My answer ist I don't think so... From Janet: Since Wonder Boys came out in 2000 that means Katie was 22 or almost 22 when she did this movie? At such a young age, Katie earned pretty good respect from the media. I always thought Katie made the best choices. Well, maybe Abandon wasn't the beeest choice..but I honestly did enjoy it! The Gift was a good choice too..I mean..Cate Blanchet, Keanu Reeves, Hilary Swank?! She's a lucky girl! I'm glad she chose good, mature, respected roles to play, as she also chose some fun ones, such as, well, our beloved Joey Potter! And who didn't love April Burns? Phone Booth was pretty good too. Although she had a small role in it, it's things like these that earn her respect. And with that respect comes more sucess. Now Wonder Boys. Yes, one of the first movies she did that had a role her age. She did such an awesome job might I add, even though it was small, it was noticeable. Infact, I rented that movie just because she was in it..and ended up enjoying the whole thing! I can't wait for her in Batman Begins. The Batman series has always been pretty much, or some what, sucessful but definitely popular. She has definitely chosen the right path to follow and I'm almost positive she'll have a pretty promising career as an actress. I hope to see her on the covers of Vanity Fair, or InStyle, or any other well-respected mag. Katie, get read for your Oscar acceptance speech. =D Thank you to all that contributed! Continue to next topic: DVD Music Changes - For Better or Worse? >>

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