JN isn't easily identifiable because he seems to have done just the opposite. He's done all kinds of roles with as many different filmmakers as he can. As Martina said, he has a wider range. He's sacrificed some things in exchange for others. For better or worse, he's made those choices.
I remember seeing or reading an interview HG did years ago where he said he didn't think acting was really a serious profession for adults to be spending their lives doing. Contrast that with things our guy has said about the acting profession. Almost completely the opposite! Jeremy has always wanted to grow, become better as an actor, but Hugh doesn't seem to have had that drive. When I look at the films HG did early on in his career--pre Four Weddings and a Funeral--I can see an actor as good as JN was at that stage. Perhaps better. Now, however, I think our guy far outshines Hugh. Think about how much emotional depth Jeremy can convey even in a small part.
The problem, of course, is what Jules pointed out. The film roles Jeremy, with his lower visibility, is going to be given may not afford him the screen time to really showcase his talent. Those bigger roles seem to go to actors who have had Hugh's kind of career.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'”
-- C.S. Lewis
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