After his famed role as Don Draper on AMC’s critically acclaimed drama series Mad Men, Jon Hamm has experienced a particularly peculiar career transition in recent years. Also known for his work in Sucker Punch & Top Gun: Maverick, the actor, 53, has acted in both highly regarded film and TV roles during his career.
But did you know, nestled within his portfolio of work, there lies a film that has almost slipped through the cracks of cinematic memory?
In 2009, he took on the role in Stolen, a frequently overlooked chapter of Hamm’s life that true cinephiles may recall. Though the actor’s renowned charm and depth could elevate any role, this murder mystery remarkably stood as an endeavor that slipped past audiences and critics alike.
Reflecting on the Rotten Tomatoes Rating of John Hamm’s Stolen
Jon Hamm may be known for his award-winning performances in popular shows like Mad Men and flicks like Baby Driver, but even the best actors have their fair share of misses. In 2009, he starred in Anders Anderson’s helmed film Stolen, which critics and audiences have largely forgotten.
In Stolen, which also starred Rhona Mitra and Josh Lucas, Tom Adkins (Hamm) is a father who conducts an investigation into his son’s disappearance while gathering information from a 1958 missing person’s case. The film shifts between the past and present, but critics agree that the movie’s serious tone and disjointed storytelling prevent it from being truly enjoyable.
That being said, with its jarring temporal shifts and somber disposition, this film interestingly finds its place in cinema’s rare 0% club on Rotten Tomatoes. Its poor ratings were not the only blow it suffered. Despite having an estimated $2 million budget, Stolen only made $7,943 in worldwide revenue, according to IMDb.
Despite this setback, Hamm has had box-office success. For instance, Hamm portrays Admiral Beau ‘Cyclone’ Simpson in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick, which has brought in over $1 billion at the box office (see Box Office Mojo). In addition, he has acted in The Morning Show, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Despite his numerous hits, Jon Hamm’s 2009 film, Stolen, is by far his worst. But even in the movie’s dismal box office return of just $7,943, critics acknowledged that Hamm’s performance alone wasn’t at fault for the film’s fateful plunge.
Critics In Defense of Jon Hamm’s Performance in Stolen
Despite Stolen’s lackluster reception, Jon Hamm’s performance was not singled out for criticism. While the script and overall execution of the film left much to be desired, critics noted that Hamm did his best with what he was given.
According to Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times, the Black Mirror actor’s Stolen was
A leaden murder mystery with a clunky structure that swings back and forth between 1958 and 2008, Stolen wastes the talents of a reasonably good cast.
And Noel Murray of The A.V. Club noted:
Stolen is mildly engaging, inasmuch as it poses a riddle and makes the audience wait for the answer, in the classic mystery mode.
Additionally, Observer’s Rex Reed referred to it as perhaps “not a masterpiece”, but technically “polished”, with compelling acting and just the right amount of tension. Moreover, Elizabeth Weitzman of the New York Daily News stated (via IMDb):
No one is able to make much of the disposable script, but Hamm is so limited by the period trappings that it seems as if he simply wandered onto the wrong set.”
Stolen may not be the actor’s finest work, but it does show that even the best actors have their off days. Hamm has certainly rebounded from this forgettable film, continuing to impress audiences with his versatile performances on both the small and big screens.
Note that the actor not only dazzled us with his Emmy-nominated performances in 30 Rock & Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt but also left us in stitches with his appearances in Parks and Recreation, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Morning Show.
Stolen is available to be rented on Apple TV.
