How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
#1
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
I was channel surfing last night, and saw Mena Suvari doing an interview (I always thought she was cute), and I totally forget about her. She was in 'American Pie' and 'American Beauty' and then it seemed her career fizzled. Now I know she has been acting all of this time, but there is nothing that sticks out to me that she has done in the past 10 years.
The reason I bring her up is its always interesting to see someone catch lightning in a bottle with some hit movies early, and they just disappear. I thought after American Beauty won the Best Picture Oscar, she would have gotten some better roles which may have propelled her career. But it never happened.
Is it more that these actors just pick bad roles and then fizzle out, or was she just another flavor of the month that was never going to make it long-term as a big star?
The reason I bring her up is its always interesting to see someone catch lightning in a bottle with some hit movies early, and they just disappear. I thought after American Beauty won the Best Picture Oscar, she would have gotten some better roles which may have propelled her career. But it never happened.
Is it more that these actors just pick bad roles and then fizzle out, or was she just another flavor of the month that was never going to make it long-term as a big star?
#3
DVD Talk Hero
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
I was thinking the same thing about Chris Klein just the other day. Though I think Rollerball effectively killed his career. Not that he was the best actor to begin with.
#4
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
American Beauty ended up being essentially fool's gold for three young actors "destined for stardom".
#6
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
#7
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
Yeah, while not a superstar Wes Bentley seems to be having a solid career (American Horror Story, Penny Dreadful, prominent movies like Interstellar, Pete's Dragon, Hunger Games).
#10
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Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
I liked Suvari on Amy Schumer's show, though she only had a bit part. I think I saw that movie where she has some guy stuck in her windshield. It was a little bizarre, but I liked it. Stephen Rea was the guy, I think...
#11
DVD Talk Hero
#12
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
Not really surrprised by her not becoming a big star. She is servicable enough an actress and even though she was cromulent looking when she was young there 1,000 other young blonde women in Hollywood who were as well. Klein is someone even if he is only marginally talented if he lucked into the right vehicles(Ashton Kutcher anyone) he probably could have been a star since he pulls off dumb likeable jock so well.
#14
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
It never seemed to me like she took on any particularly challenging roles. You can only go so far without demonstrating some range in acting ability.
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
You have not seen her current movies,
She is a terrible actress especially in this movie below was a flavor of the month who got lucky for a while.
She is a terrible actress especially in this movie below was a flavor of the month who got lucky for a while.
![](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cc/44/9a/cc449a60ad04b61b1fd28dfdffb9f445.jpg)
#19
DVD Talk Hero
#20
DVD Talk Legend & 2021 TOTY Winner
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
Because she's not that good of an actress and not that hot?
#22
DVD Talk Hero
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
#23
DVD Talk Hero
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Re: How did Mena Suvari not become a bigger star?
This is kinda weird timing that this thread got started today. I follow A24 on Instagram and they posted a photo of an oldtime theatrical box office as part of #tbt (for those not on social media it stands for "throw back Thursday). Well, she posted a comment on there, I believe praising the photographer.
Just weird that I don't think about her in years then she pops up twice in the same day.
Just weird that I don't think about her in years then she pops up twice in the same day.