After years of turning in amazing performances, actress Brie Larson is finally getting her due. On the CBS Sunday Morning News, reporter Tracy Smith discussed Brie Larson's "It Girl" status in Hollywood — but the 26-year-old actress wasn't too keen on the phrase. I think that's because Brie Larson has had roles that prove she is more than just the "It Girl" — she's really one of Hollywood's newest powerhouse actresses. If you don't believe me, see her new film Room, for which she's already gathering considerable praise, rave reviews, and well-deserved Oscar buzz.
"But what is 'it'?" Larson said during the CBS interview. "There is no 'it'! And who was 'it' before 'it'? And when does 'it' go away? When did I get 'it'? Who's gonna take 'it'? It's so weird. I think it's a really funny term. I'm just a person. I'm not anything!" Actually, Larson has been a standout during this year's Oscar race in Room. In the film, Larson turns in an incredible performance as Ma, a woman who has been kidnapped, raped, and held captive by an older man — but with her young son, she must find a way to escape.
But to those who have followed Larson's versatile career, her Room raves are no surprise. Here are more Larson roles that have proven time and time again that she's more than just an "It Girl."
Short Term 12
Larson has had mostly supporting roles over the years, but this 2013 drama film showed that Larson could do more than just carry a movie — she could own it with an engaging performance in an inspiring film. In Short Term 12, she plays Grace, a supervisor in a home for troubled teenagers who must come to terms with her own troubled past.
The Spectacular Now
This romantic and sad look at young love stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, but Larson certainly makes her mark in the story as Cassidy, Teller's character's popular ex-girlfriend, whom he can't quite forget.
Trainwreck
In the hit Amy Schumer comedy of last summer, Larson played Kim, Amy's settled down sister — and she more than held her own opposite the powerhouse comedian.
21 Jump Street
Larson played Molly in the 2012 hit comedy and shined as Schmidt's (Jonah Hill) love interest. And if an actor can standout opposite stars Channing Tatum and Hill in an uproarious movie like 21 Jump Street, you know they're good.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Back in 2010, Larson showed her versatility as rocker chick Envy Adams in this cult comedy. Envy was the first love of the titular Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) — and first ex-girlfriend. "Envy Adams kicked Scott Pilgrims' heart in the ass," Larson said in an interview with Critics Choice Movies (above). "She became the biggest star in the biggest band in Toronto in the movie and Scott Pilgrim was left with a broken heart." Aww.
Don Jon
Larson got rave reviews in this 2013 as Monica, the sister of titular character "Don Jon" Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Monica mostly communicates via text message and eye rolling, proving that Larson can be captivating without saying a word. And Larson told Details she appreciated the challenge. "It was a strange experience playing a character that doesn't speak, though, because I'm such an over-preparer," she said, "every day I'd have at least one panic attack on my drive over, thinking that I didn't learn my lines — and then I'd realize I didn't have any. It was fantastic."
Sleepover
I know, I know. This is forgettable 2004 teen movie starring Alexa Vega, but it boasted Larson as Liz, the popular girl and "queen bee of the eighth grade." Even as a young teen actress, Larson showed so much potential in one of her first roles.
Whatever "it" is, it's pretty clear — Larson has way more than it.
