Seeing more of Josh Brolin

Who knows how these things happen? Josh Brolin made his film debut in "The Goonies" and subsequently appeared in films for such directors as Woody Allen, David O. Russell, Paul Verhoeven and Guillermo del Toro, well on his way to a respectable but low-key career. Then, within the last few years, giving off a vibe of authentic-Americana masculinity largely missing from the man-boys of the multiplex, he began appearing in films of a markedly higher profile. Last year, Brolin was seen in "In the Valley of Elah," "American Gangster," "Grindhouse" and the eventual best picture winner, the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men." This year he appeared as George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's controversial "W.," and in Gus Van Sant's "Milk" he plays Dan White, the former firefighter, police officer and city supervisor who shot and killed San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and activist and politician Harvey Milk.

By Mark Olsen

January 7, 2009