Women, who buy 55% of movie tickets according to the Motion Picture Assn. of America, are inclined to watch actresses they’ve grown up with and relate to, like Sandra Bullock, who won the lead actress Oscar at age 45 for last year’s “The Blind Side.” (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Tilda Swinton, 50, has been working steadily since her 20s, but her most mainstream roles in movies such as “Michael Clayton”and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” series came after she turned 40. “By 40, people know what you can do,” Swinton says. “And when you’ve been working for a fair amount of time, there’s a confidence in your own ability.” (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
“Meryl [Streep] is enjoying this great renaissance in her career,” says Donna Langley, co-chair of Universal Pictures, which distributed “Mamma Mia!” and “It’s Complicated.” “She’s able to capitalize on the goodwill her audience has for her, and reach new audiences.” (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
