In the recent "Top Gun: Maverick," Connelly embraced an '80s vibe as Tom Cruise's daring romantic interest, Penny. However, her career has predominantly revolved around weightier films and dramas.
"Top Gun" stands as one of the lightest movies in Connelly's filmography since "The Labyrinth," which featured goblins abducting a young boy (not to mention David Bowie in tights).
Known for her selective approach to roles, Connelly has occasionally taken breaks between projects to prioritize her family over accepting unsuitable roles.
In an interview with The Guardian, she stated, "I spent an entire year with my husband and children, and it was wonderful. My job truly suits me."
Not all of Connelly's films have received critical acclaim; she starred in two underperformers, "Creation" and "Shelter," alongside her real-life husband, Paul Bettany. The former was particularly criticized. However, some aspects of film success are beyond an actor's control.
Connelly also believes that her appearance has influenced the roles offered to her. According to her, she is often excluded from certain parts due to her looks.
Jennifer Connelly attributes her frequent roles in dramatic films to her appearance, making it challenging for her to venture into comedies.
Whether it's "Requiem for a Dream" or "A Beautiful Mind," Jennifer Connelly is renowned for her involvement in emotionally intense dramas.
Regrettably, Connelly feels that she is predominantly cast in dramatic roles due to her facial features, which appear serious and stern, even when she's not feeling that way.
She shared with CBS Sunday Morning, "I don't know, but I tend to gravitate towards drama. I think it's my eyebrows; I look very serious. I appear stern, even when I'm not. If I'm not angry, I still seem a bit stern. A little bit angry. It's just my face."
Connelly also expressed her interest in trying her hand at comedy in an interview with Femail, though she acknowledged it might be a challenge given her current image.
Despite her reputation for drama, Connelly ventured into lighter territory when she voiced Peter Parker's AI system in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." Though not visible on screen, she demonstrated her comedic talent and enjoyed the experience, which contrasted with a previous superhero film endeavor.
Jennifer Connelly faced a turning point in 2002 when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "A Beautiful Mind."
Although winning an Oscar is a significant accomplishment in an actor's career, Connelly's post-Oscar choices didn't fare well, with her involvement in the critical and commercial disappointment "Hulk."
To her credit, the film was directed by Ang Lee, known for "Sense and Sensibility" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Connelly referred to the superhero film as character-driven and was a vocal supporter of it.
However, in an interview with The Guardian, she expressed her disappointment with the film's reception. "I can't say that I'm entirely neutral about it," she admitted. "Who wouldn't want a positive response to their work? I want that too."
Fortunately, the setback did not have a lasting impact on Connelly's career. Although she may not often appear in comedies, she continues to portray intriguing characters, as seen in "Top Gun: Maverick" and the TV series "Snowpiercer."
