As a huge fan of Ryan Gosling and someone who has followed his career closely, I must admit that there are a few films of his that left me feeling underwhelmed and even disappointed. Among those disappointments, “Murder by Numbers” stands out as one of the most forgettable ones.
I’m absolutely in awe of Ryan Gosling’s meteoric rise to fame in the film industry. Starting with his breakout role in “The Notebook” back in 2004, this three-time Academy Award nominee has proven time and again that he’s more than just a pretty face. His first Oscar nod came for his powerful performance in “Half Nelson” in 2006, followed by impressive roles in independent films like “Lars and the Real Girl” and “Blue Valentine.” By the time I saw him shine in “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” alongside an all-star cast in 2011, I was convinced that Gosling was an unstoppable force in Hollywood. And when he took the lead in the gritty thriller “Drive” around the same time, there was no denying his talent and versatility.
Throughout Ryan Gosling’s impressive acting career, there are only a few films that didn’t receive great criticism. Although some of his movies, like “Barbie,” “La La Land,” and “The Big Short,” were massive successes, others, such as “The Fall Guy,” which didn’t do well at the box office, still garnered positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes has ranked all of Gosling’s films, and some have lower ratings than the aforementioned hits. Let’s find out which are his weakest-performing movies according to this review-aggregating site and examine why they received negative feedback despite solid acting from Gosling himself.
5. All Good Things (2010)
Following a series of impressive films under his belt, Ryan Gosling experienced an uncommon flop with the 2010 production “All Good Things.” Directed by Andrew Jarecki, this film was based on the true story of real estate magnate Robert Durst, with whom more information will be provided shortly. In the movie, Gosling portrays David Marks, whose father, Sanford Marks (Frank Langella), is a successful real estate tycoon. Consequently, David’s life is filled with immense privilege and wealth access. However, David’s relationship with his father is strained at best. Throughout the film, Sanford exerts significant control over David’s life, forcing him to live according to Sanford’s expectations for him and his young, attractive spouse, Katie McCarthy (Kirsten Dunst).
As a gamer, I’d put it this way: I played the role of David in this twisted narrative, and when Katie announced her pregnancy, my reaction was far from normal. I couldn’t stand the idea of having kids, but never truly explained why. Our marriage faced turbulent times, and Katie mysteriously vanished. Suspicion fell on me, and years later, new evidence surfaced that pointed to my involvement. The movie based on these events left critics underwhelmed, with a disappointing 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. They appreciated the solid acting and intriguing real-life inspiration but lamented its clichéd and ambiguous nature. Despite the criticism, I was fascinated enough to ask the filmmaker, Jarecki, to create a docuseries about my life titled “The Jinx.” The rest is now part of history. If you’re intrigued, you can watch “All Good Things” on Peacock.
4. The United States of Leland (2003)
In “The United States of Leland,” released a year before his breakout role in “The Notebook,” Ryan Gosling portrayed a more intricate character, Leland P. Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, the film didn’t receive favorable reviews from critics. The story revolves around Leland, who is arrested for the murder of young boy with intellectual disabilities named Ryan Pollard (Michael Welch). While in juvenile detention, a teacher and writer named Pearl Madison (Don Cheadle) befriends him. We later discover that Leland had been involved with Ryan’s sister Becky (Jena Malone), and although they parted ways, Leland’s influence remains strong enough over the Pollard family that Allen (Chris Klein), ex-boyfriend of Ryan and Becky’s sister Julie (Michelle Williams), ends up in detention and ultimately takes Leland’s life.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, if you’re unfamiliar with “The United States of Leland,” that might be for the better. The film has its moments, but these are often undermined by a confusing plot, unlikable characters, and inconsistent acting performances. Despite having talented actors like Malone, Williams, Lena Olin, Kerry Washington, and Michael Peña in the cast, the movie didn’t live up to their potential. However, you can make your own judgment by watching “The United States of Leland,” which is accessible for renting or purchasing on major streaming services.
3. Gangster Squad (2013)
As a gamer, I’ve seen my fair share of collaborations that left me in awe, like when Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling joined forces for movies such as “La La Land” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” But sadly, their team-up in “Gangster Squad,” released in 2013, failed to deliver the same magic. I was expecting a thrilling ride with these talented actors, but the movie fell short.
From my perspective as a fan, “Gangster Squad” fails to deliver; it seems more like a hilarious imitation of mob movies than a respectable addition to the genre. According to Rotten Tomatoes, this is a consensus viewpoint. The website’s critical consensus states that “despite its stylish direction and an impressive cast, ‘Gangster Squad’ falls short due to weak writing, insufficient character development, and an overabundance of violence.” Unfortunately, the rating from critics is a disappointing 30%. Nevertheless, if you’re absolutely craving more screen time with Stone and Gosling, you can rent “Gangster Squad” on major streaming platforms now.
2. Murder By Numbers (2002)
In the beginning of his acting journey, Ryan Gosling made a bold move by portraying a chilling killer in “Murder by Numbers” (2002). However, this risk didn’t bring him the desired success. In this film, Sandra Bullock stars as Cassie Mayweather, a detective haunted by her past who finds herself probing a murder that the viewers are aware was committed by Richard Haywood (Gosling) and Justin Pendleton (Michael Pitt), two old friends who meticulously planned a murder for months before kidnapping and taking the life of a woman. Despite having DNA evidence linking both suspects to the crime, Cassie is unable to bring them to justice due to their solid alibis. This leaves her relentlessly determined to apprehend them, with Richard being a particular target because of his uncanny resemblance to her ex-husband, who had once attempted to kill her.
Gosling’s portrayal of a ruthless killer and sociopath in “Murder by Numbers” was a daring choice for the actor, yet unfortunately, Bullock’s character’s unexplained encounter with a baboon derailed an otherwise mediocre movie. Critics gave the film a scathing 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, labeling it as a “predictable police procedural” that was more effective as a character study than a thriller. Despite the film’s poor reception, Gosling’s career remained unscathed, and he even had a brief romance with Bullock following their time together on set. For those intrigued by the baboon incident, “Murder by Numbers” can be rented from major streaming platforms.
1. Stay (2005)
Among Ryan Gosling’s notable film career, there is one movie often criticized as his least successful: the 2005 indie film “Stay.” The intriguing aspect of this production is the impressive team involved – Marc Forster directed it, known for movies like “Monster’s Ball,” “Stranger Than Fiction,” and “World War Z.” David Benioff, a former “Game of Thrones” showrunner, penned the script. A talented cast including Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Bob Hoskins (deceased), and Janeane Garofalo joined Gosling on set. However, despite this star-studded lineup, the film failed to impress critics.
As a gamer, I’d put it this way: In the heart of the story, I, Dr. Sam Foster, introduce you to my new patient, Henry Letham. He’s an intriguing character with a dark past. At first, Henry seems suspicious of me due to his doctor, Beth Levy, suddenly going on leave without warning. As I delve deeper into Henry’s background, things take a disturbing turn, and I begin to question my own reality. The movie’s twist ending? Let’s just say it leaves a lot to be desired.
Gosling puts in his best effort in “Stay,” as he typically does, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to salvage the film. With a low rating of 26% on Rotten Tomatoes and a critical consensus that deemed it a confusing puzzle with a strong cast and striking visuals yet lacking depth, the movie is currently streaming on YouTubeTV and Tubi if you’re particularly committed to watching all of Gosling’s films.
I strongly believe that everyone deserves access to mental health resources when they need them. I’ve been there myself – feeling lost, hopeless, and unsure of where to turn. That’s why I want to emphasize the importance of reaching out for help if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues.
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2024-07-16 17:30