Supporting Actresses

Working with Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio on the 2002 crime dramedy Catch Me If You Can could have been Amy Adams' breakthrough, but that's not what ended up happening. We're joined by Variety senior entertainment writer Adam B. Vary to talk about Amy's transition from mean girl roles to tender vulnerability, and the somewhat muted reception to Spielberg's then-most personal film. Plus:...

Amy Adams got a slightly larger part in the 2002 romantic comedy Serving Sara, but her role as deceptively crafty mistress Kate wasn't enough to save the film from disaster. We're joined by Pure Innocent Fun author and Keep It! co-host Ira Madison III to talk about Amy being a bright spot in a bad movie, and how Matthew Perry's struggles nearly derailed this production. Plus: movies that only exis...

Amy Adams continued her run of glorified cameo roles with her bit part as sorority mean girl Alex in the 2002 dark comedy romance Pumpkin. We're joined by This Ends at Prom co-host BJ Colangelo to talk about Amy's incredible calves, and what we mean when we call a movie a "problematic fave." Plus: the thrill of blonde Christina Ricci, unpacking societal discomfort with disability and sex, and the...

After a few more substantial supporting roles, Amy Adams took on a glorified cameo as cheerleader Doreen in the 2002 coming-of-age sports drama The Slaughter Rule. We're joined by Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about Amy using her dance background to its full potential, and how this movie fumbles its football metaphors. Plus: our Ryan Gosling origin stories, the distinct vibe of early aughts...

Amy Adams had only just moved to Los Angeles when she booked the starring role of Kathryn Merteuil on the Fox series Manchester Prep. The show was canceled before it ever aired, but two episodes and some raunchier additional scenes were Frankensteined into the 2000 direct-to-video prequel Cruel Intentions 2. We're joined by Screen Drafts host Clay Keller to talk about Amy's villain era, and the in...

Amy Adams' second film was the 2000 comedy-horror satire Psycho Beach Party, adapted from Charles Busch's play of the same name, where she plays maneater and ice cream sandwich enthusiast Marvel Ann. We're joined by radio and podcast host John Hill to talk about Amy's early embrace of queer roles, and the importance of understanding the assignment. Plus: the actresses we'd most want to have a slee...

Amy Adams made her cinematic debut with the 1999 cult classic mockumentary Drop Dead Gorgeous, where she plays American Teen Princess Pageant contestant Leslie Miller, a cheerleader with a voracious sexual appetite and a heart of gold. We talk about Amy's transition from dinner theater to the big screen, and the way Drop Dead Gorgeous failed to find an audience—at least not for several years. Plus...