This Week's Break Out!

This week's Break Out is, Chris Messina!

Chris Messina is a charmer. First I spotted him charming Claire Fisher as young Republican co-worker Ted, in Six Feet Under (which is to date, it is still the most incredible show I have ever seen). Though Ted only came in at the very end of Six Feet Under, his instant chemistry with Claire and honesty made him one of the most real and likeable characters on the show. Next I found Messina charming Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein) in Ira and Abby, the story of a hastily married couple whose relationship quickly disintegrates into comedy. He then played charming and reliable, but predictable Doug, Vicky’s fiancée in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. And though I haven’t seen any of these yet he’s also recently starred in Towelhead (Nothing is Private), Made of Honor, and Humboldt County, all roles I can only imagine he played full of charm-osity. With his suit wearing ease, but underlying scruff, Messina’s characters often walk the line between smooth talking sleazebag and perfect gentleman. His appeal, like many of the Break Outs I pick, is earthbound relate-ability. His performances feel like those of a theater actor, poignant and often alarmingly truthful. He feels like “one of those guys to watch,” and not because he’ll necessarily ever become a Pitt or a Clooney, but because he can stay consistent and go the distance to becoming one of those people you look for and follow. Case in point, he can be seen alongside last week’s Break Out, Paul Schneider, in Mendes’ Away We Go, in John Krasinski’s Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams in Julie and Julia, and with Jessica Alba in An Invisible Sign of my Own.

So keep tabs on one of Variety’s 2007 10 actors to watch, and this week’s Break Out, Chris Messina!

Julie & Julia Trailer