Man of the people, Matthew McConaughey.

So I recently finished watching the excellent first season of True Detective, the highlight of which was the outstanding performance from Matthew McConaughey – subtle, nuanced, intriguing and gripping at all times. His rise to the pinnacle of the acting game has been well documented, as he moved from Romantic Comedy schlock to Oscar winning drama. If evidence was ever needed of how far he’s come in terms of credibility, look no further than this for where his career once stood:

As he clawed his was out from the cavalcade of Rom-Com trudge he found himself associated to, and bagged himself an Academy Award for Dallas Buyers Club, the film world began to take notice, the term “The McConaissance” was born, and all eyes were firmly planted on his next move. In stepped True Detective to really set a fire under the flames of his new found fandom.

But he, like anyone else working in Hollywood, is not infallible. His latest film, Gus Van Sant’s Sea of Trees recently debuted at Cannes, and it’s fair to say that the critics have not been kind, with the film literally booed after its screening. For McConaughey’s part in the film, the critics have noted his performance as being “overboard“, “ordinary” and “misguided“. But fear not, all round cool guy McConaughey is taking it all in his stride:

“”I liked the experience of making it and I’m glad we got the opportunity to introduce it to the world. Anyone has any right to either boo or ovate.”

Sure, he will make missteps in his career, and it’s our right as fans, critics, or casual viewers to discuss his work, and anyone else’s in cinema. But his approach to the matter is refreshingly realistic, and quite frankly has only upped his levels of coolness further. In a society where people have a bizarre need to try and take the successful down a notch, he sure is making it hard for anyone in their right mind to want to do so. Though his performance in Sea of Trees may well be overboard, ordinary and misguided, his acting career in general has been quite the opposite – and I for one am looking forward to seeing where he next takes us.

Mr McConaughey, you have the floor.