During the summer of 2000, Mary Stuart Masterson was signed to direct one of three short science fiction movies for the Showtime cable television network. Ms. Masterson is also the author of this story. Talent always rises to the top in the end. All actors go through their dry periods. Gene Hackman went through one in the late seventies, but worked his way out of it to resume his place as one of Hollywood's most respected talents.
Critics often react that way when a few of a performer's films go bust.
After a few films lose money, some critics just start thinking that maybe they were wrong in their previous appraisals of an actor's talent.