Coming off her Oscar win for Walk the Line in 2006, Reese Witherspoon was the hottest actress in the biz.
But she was unable to capitalize on the momentum, bogged down by forgettable films like Just Like Heaven, Water for Elephants, How Do You Know, Four Christmases, and This Means War.
Her turn in Mud though reminded the world that she's more than just a pretty face. She can act, especially if she's given some grittier material.