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Another example is Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I strapped myself for another grimace filled ride, but Jim absolutely shattered all my expectations and prejudices with his tenderness and onscreen chemistry with Kate Winslet.

... and then built them right back up again by starring in a series of inane flicks immediately after.

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This was exactly the example I was going to post. If Jim Carrey can pull an amazing dramatic performance out of nowhere, I don't see why Ashton can't.

It's always a pleasure to see a screwball actor flourish on being cast outside type. Here are a few more examples:

* Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction

* Robin Williams in One Hour Photo

* Adam Sandler in Punch-Drunk Love and Spanglish

* Bill Murray in Broken Flowers

Adam Sandler really shines in Reign Over Me.

I think for Williams, Dead Poets Society would be the first break of the mould.

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