He's one of those actors who has seen a range of good roles later on in his career. Beginners and Remember being two of the recent ones. No doubt the Oscar recognition helped. Likewise, people like Bryan Cranston who had Breaking Bad and Trumbo, Michael Caine with Cider House Rules, The Quiet American, The Prestige and his work with Nolan and also Gary Oldman with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and his work with the Batman trilogy.

For a large part of his career, he preferred working in theater but movies paid better. When he needed money, he'd make a film.

They all do paycheck movies
The king, Michael Caine once said "I'm an actor, it's what I do for a living"
Their performances in those movies are usually the best in the movie
In a world where a carpenter can be resurrected, anything is possible.

He def did his fair share of "paycheck" movies. So did Anthony Hopkins

His career has always been mixed. He's been in more good movies more frequently lately than he was in his younger years.