I think if I had to find a turning point it was the film
Molly
. The critical and commercial failure of the film probably hampered Elizabeth Shue's momentum. It was four years after
Leaving Las Vegas
, but one reviewer suggested the film would hurt Shue's future chances of being casted in future dramatic roles with substance.

Would Elisabeth Shue had more longevity as an A-list star post-
Leaving Lost Vegas
had she done more mainstream-type movies, not counting
The Saint
and
Hollow Man
, which didnt really rely on her talents or strengths? What Im saying is more movies like
Adventures in Babysitting
but as an adult (if that makes sense). Part of Elisabeths appeal (at least in the early part of her career) was her having an girl-next-door like image (perhaps similar to Meg Ryan in her prime or Sandra Bullock). She of course I suppose, managed to successfully play against type so to speak in
Leaving Lost Vegas
. But, Im highly sure that more people have seen or recognize Elisabeth from her 80s movies anyway.
I do believe that the more mainstream roles in which she was a lead like T
he Saint
and
Hollow Man
not doing to well maybe helped convince Hollywood to not be so urgent to buy into her.
Elisabeth Shue for better or for worse, struck me as a bit of a star by association (if that makes sense). In other words, for whatever the reasons, it really seemed to be like many of her movies werent designed or advertised mostly on her star power alone.
Adventures in Babysitting
is one of the few movies that I can immediately think of in which Elisabeth had to really carry it on her own so to speak. Even on
CSI
, although Elisabeth was the first billed actress (shes second billed altogether behind Ted Danson),
CSI
was really more of an ensemble.
The best theory that Ive found is that maybe her image is much of the problem. Elisabeth was arguably most I think she was most successful when cast as the girl next door (something that perhaps suits her the best). Unfortunately, you its a safe bet to say that you really cant play the girl next door once you hit 30. With that being said, I suppose that Hollywood didnt really know how to probably utilize her. Much of the film roles she has done since
Leaving Las Vegas
havent really been that noteworthy or memorable. So it could also be a quality of scripts issue.
Apparently, Elisabeth has said in past interviews that she enjoys taking on roles in smaller films since they often allow her to play interesting characters that push her as an actress. She has also said that the bigger films that shes starred in, while fun, are often more to do with paying the bills since the money is better and theyre fun to make.
I think that Elisabeth arguably hurt her momentum by taking lengthy breaks by going back to Harvard and focusing on her family (shes married to the guy who directed Al Gores
Inconvenient Truth
and I think, has three children w/ him).

i believe it to be several things

1. i think she enjoys her kids & family more than working.
2. i believe she is married to a successful producer. thus, her not NEEDING to work as much.
3. she is a VERY smart woman. & i believe i heard she has several other ventures and intrest that take up alot of her time.
4. and while i believe her to be a supreme talent. i cant sit & be naive to the fact that "aging" actresses have a tougher time finding work. from what i hear its an epidemic in hollywood. that is unless you're in the select group of kidman, roberts, & streep. and while shue is prob not streep, i believe her to be just as talented as nicole kidman or julia roberts.

She's said in past interviews that she enjoys taking on roles in smaller films since they often allow her to play interesting characters that push her as an actress. She's also said that the bigger films that she's starred in, while fun, are often more to do with paying the bills since the money is better and they're fun to make.
She's been steadily working her whole acting career which is a good thing for an actress. She's certainly done a lot better than some of the other young actresses that were tipped for big things in the 1980s.
ROCK STA
RS HAVE KIDN
APPED MY SON

She's been in little things every year it's just that she has 3 children which likely takes up her time.
I respect that she would rather raise her kids than have a maid or au pair raise them.
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Loved her turn on CYE 11-8-09 And she looked beautifulNot a "career definer," but a pleasant performance
"What we need here is more cowbell!"Christopher Walken

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Hamlet 2 was genius.

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I was never able to watch her w/o wanting to see her naked. This may have presented a problem in her career if many other guys felt the same way. She would have needed to be naked in every film she did.an unlikely circumstance.
Too late now at age 46.
Oh, well.

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Nicolas Cage is an A list actor. He is a huge star. He has had continued success. Ms. Shue hasn't. She doesn't star in movies. I'm not quite sure what the point of your posts are. This thread poses the question "Why hasn't her career gone anywhere." For some reason you keep bringing up points that are irrelevant to the topic. I'm beginning to think you are posting purely for the sake of arguementBut if that's the case, instead of responding to my counter arguements, you bring up completely different issues altogether. I just don't get it
The bottom line is this: Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Swank, Angelina Jolie, everyone knows who they are. Elisabeth Shue on the other hand is not as famous. Why is that?

"I said your an idiot because clearly you are a retard."- Seifertj

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Yes but it seems like she never got the chance to act in a decent movie ever again after acting Leaving Las Vegas. Although Meg Ryan and Demi Moore aren't fairing that well, they had their day in the sun for a while. Ms. Shue never did.

"I said your an idiot because clearly you are a retard."- Seifertj

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yeah after leaving las vegas her best known role or movie is probably hollow man. that is exactly everyone's point. She should be a meg ryan or demi moore.

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Beautifu girl who I couldn't agree more has not had the career she should have. Both Elisabeth and Lou Diamond Phillips are 80's young actors who are way more talented than their careers have let them be. I thought that both of them would be 'A' listers by now. Maybe they can have a career boost in their late 40's.

Well she was quite prominent in the 1980s. She was considered an up-and-coming star and featured in a string of prominent films including Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, Cocktail, and Back to the Future 2. Just as the 90s began, though, she sort of dropped off and starred in more and more duds (commercial failures, don't know about their critical acclaim) until Leaving Las Vegas sort of gave her a momentary blip back on the radar. But since then, it's been mostly on and off.
I think a good deal of it has to do with her image. I think she was most successful when cast as the "girl next door" (and I happen to think these roles suit her best), but you can't really play the "girl next door" once you hit 30.

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