Daphne Merkin of the The fresh new Yorker remarked: “Affleck reveals an attractive Paul Newmanish attraction and that is obviously sure to have stardom

Armageddon, put out into the 1998, dependent Affleck due to the fact a practical main character to have Hollywood facility video clips. Good Commonly Search had not but really appeared in casting procedure and, shortly after Affleck’s screen test, movie director Michael Bay overlooked your once the “a nerd”. He was convinced from the music producer Jerry Bruckheimer you to Affleck might be a star, nevertheless actor must get in shape, become tanned, and now have their pearly whites capped just before filming began. The movie, in which he played opposite Bruce Willis because a bluish-neckband driller assigned because of the NASA that have ending an enthusiastic asteroid of colliding with Earth, is a box place of work success. ” Later on into the 1998, Affleck got a supportive character since the a pompous English actor in the that point personal funny Shakespeare crazy, starring his then-wife Gwyneth Paltrow. Lael Loewenstein out-of Variety pointed out that Affleck “does several of his absolute best functions, suggesting one to comedy are his genuine calling,” if you’re Janet Maslin of one’s Ny Times located your “most funny”. Affleck up coming searched given that a small-urban area sheriff on supernatural headache movie Phantoms. Stephen Holden of your Ny Minutes wondered as to why stars such as for instance Affleck and Peter O’Toole got accessible to are available in the fresh new “junky” film: “Affleck’s thudding show suggests he could be reading their dialogue with the first time, right from cue notes.”

Affleck then looked opposite Courtney Love regarding the little-viewed getup comedy 2 hundred Smokes (1999)

Affleck and you free Dating apps sex dating will Damon had an on-screen reunion inside Kevin Smith’s spiritual satire Dogma (just after with starred in Smith’s earlier in the day clips, Mallrats and you can Chasing after Amy), and that debuted within 1999 Cannes Flick Festival. Janet Maslin of your New york Moments pointed out that the pair, to relax and play fallen angels, “give higher, readable warmth to help you Mr. Smith’s smart cam and you can wild imaginings”. Affleck played reverse Sandra Bullock in the romantic comedy Forces from Character (1999), to play a bridegroom whose attempts to can his wedding is complicated by the their 100 % free-competing travel companion. Owen Gleiberman of Amusement Per week pointed out that Affleck “has got the timely-crack charm you want within the a screwball character,” while you are Joe Leydon off Assortment applauded “his winning power to play facing his apperance inside an excellent self-effacing comical change”.

Shakespeare crazy acquired eight Academy Awards, together with Better Photo, due to the fact shed obtained the fresh new Monitor Stars Guild Honor to possess A fantastic Show by the a tossed

Looking for an excellent directorial field, Affleck shadowed John Frankenheimer throughout the pre-production of the experience thriller Reindeer Games (2000). Frankenheimer, directing his past function flick, demonstrated Affleck as that have “a very successful, likable quality about him. I’ve been doing this for a long time and you will they are most among best.” He played opposite Charlize Theron as the a great hardened violent, with Elvis Mitchell of one’s New york Moments enjoying the unforeseen casting solutions: “Affleck tend to ways one of many Kennedys to experience Clark Kent … The guy looks as if he’s never ever skipped an event or a beneficial night’s bed. He could be online game, although, and his slight dislocation operates to the benefit of Reindeer Game.” He then had a supportive part while the a good high-pressure stockbroker inside brand new crime crisis Boiler Area (2000). An excellent.O. Scott of the Ny Minutes felt Affleck had “tracked over” Alec Baldwin’s results in Glengarry Glen Ross, whenever you are Peter Rainer of new York Magazine told you he “do a few riffs on Baldwin’s aria, each you’re funnier and you may crueler than the next”. Then given the brand new voice from Jos. Within his past film character away from 2000, Affleck starred contrary his girlfriend Paltrow regarding the intimate drama Bounce. Stephen Holden of your own Ny Times praised the brand new “subdued power and you can exquisite outline” out of their performance: “Their portrait away from a young, sarcastically worry about-laid out ‘some one person’ who is not 50 % of as confident when he want to appear is practically definitive.”