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Could you guess which film starring Ryan Reynolds has earned the highest critical accolades? Even with three attempts, you might not land on the 2015 movie “Mississippi Grind.” In this film, Reynolds takes on the role of Curtis, who becomes a lucky talisman for Gerry, a character played by Ben Mendelsohn, struggling with a gambling addiction. Gerry believes that having Curtis accompany him to a high-stakes poker game will boost his chances of hitting a big win.
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According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics praise the film for its outstanding performances and rich Southern atmosphere, describing “Mississippi Grind” as a road movie and addiction drama that elevates its familiar genres. The film achieved a 91% certified fresh rating. While one might assume Reynolds would be thrilled with the critical success, the reality was quite different. The film’s inability to surpass $500,000 at the global box office hit him hard, prompting a reassessment of his career trajectory.
Ryan Reynolds did hold a deep affection for “Mississippi Grind.” As he shared with Entertainment Weekly, he adored the film, even though it failed commercially. He recognized that while the movie was extraordinary, it didn’t attract viewers. Reynolds felt a responsibility as an actor to deliver profitable ventures. “I have to return the investment made in me. It’s show business. It’s not just show,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of financial success alongside artistic merit.
This experience led Reynolds to rethink his approach to selecting roles, aiming to strike a balance between projects that he found personally rewarding and those that could also draw in audiences. Just a year later, he began the journey with the “Deadpool” trilogy, which not only became some of the top-grossing R-rated films of all time but also received certified fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Clearly, Reynolds has mastered the art of blending creative satisfaction with commercial success.
Reynolds feels responsible for a movie’s financial success (or lack thereof)
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To be fair, it’s not as though Ryan Reynolds wasn’t proud of “Mississippi Grind” at all. “‘Mississippi Grind’ is a movie I love passionately, but did not work. The movie worked, it’s an incredible movie, but people didn’t go to see it, and I recognized that,” Reynolds told Entertainment Weekly. He then went on to explain that, as an actor who is getting paid to do a job, he feels responsible to deliver a product that makes money. “I thought, ‘I have to return the investment made in me. It’s show business. It’s not just show. I have to produce something that these people who invest their money in can get a return.”
Reynolds said that the experience made him start to more carefully consider the potential for profitability when choosing roles. He said he planned to start seeking a balance between projects he “found fulfilling and rewarding, but could bring in audiences and grow me a little bit.” Considering he would launch the “Deadpool” trilogy just one year later — all three installments of which are among the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time, while also all being certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes — it’s clear that he has figured out that formula.Â
