Can Olivia Thirlby Recover from Her “Darkest Hour”?

Critics are calling Christmas sci-fi thriller "The Darkest Hour" a flop. We weren't quite sure what to expect. According to the trailer, the movie had all the requisite bells and whistles needed to wow viewers. Despite the film's pretty decent cast, reviews haven't been so enthusiastic. Some have been downright brutal. If you've seen this movie, perhaps you believe they have a right to be.

Olivia Thirlby, who stars in the film, isn't your typical action heroine. Some might even say that she's too cerebral to be considered for this kind of fare. She's got that thing that makes her perfect for movies that make you think. Olivia's brand of humor doesn't go over the top to deliver its laughs. That's probably why she worked so well as Juno's best friend in the 2007 blockbuster of the same name.

That being said, we could also mention a few other things about Ms. Thirlby. In her tender 20s, she's the sensitive kind of pretty-sort of like Marisa Tomei when she was on 80s sitcom "A Different World." The kind of cute that slowly evolves into mature sensuality. And maybe that's where Olivia's true blessing lie.

Come to think of it, if she were a bit older, she probably would have made an awesome Joey on the teen drama "Dawson's Creek," even though she more than made up for that as a super "affected" teen in 2008 indie drama "The Wackness." Thirlby's natural snarkiness in this movie made us believe that her character was popular for reasons other than money and promiscuity. Few actresses can apply the subtle charisma that mesmerizes audiences.

Yes, the "Juno" star has quite a bit going for her. But can she recover from what might be considered a small cinematic misstep? She might already have that covered. In March of 2012, we'll be able to find her alongside Robert De Niro in "Being Flynn"---a movie with unmistakable dramatic overtones. Bouncing back from a "questionable" film may have worked for countless actors. But unlike many of those others, her experience in Hollywood isn't quite as sturdy in the eyes of highbrow moviegoers; capitalizing off that Thirlby charm might help keep fans interested in her acting abilities (so long as she doesn't delve too deeply into "After School Special" territory). Now that she's dodged invisible aliens in a glossy sci-fi film, the slippery slope could get even slicker.

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