Ben Affleck's self-esteem is so broken down by America's constant mocking that he left the Venice Film Festival before the award ceremony thinking he had no chance, and then he won the top acting prize. Look what we've done to the poor man's self esteem. One moment he was our golden boy, and yada yada yada, he's got his nose in J-Lo's ass and can't make a box office hit to save his life. Hollywood.com reports:

He explains, "If I thought for a second that there were going to be awards for anybody, I would have stayed!"

Affleck claims the role has given him a chance to get his career back on track after a string of film flops including Jersey Girl and Gigli.

He adds, "I've been in movies that earned a lot of money that… I wish I wasn't in honestly. I was a little cavalier before, but having a child makes me think about things differently.

"I have to prove myself all over again, but I don't mind that. Once I realized where things were going, I just said, 'OK, let me make sure I'm in a place where I don't have to worry about being on Family Feud for dough in five years and then I'll just do what I can be proud of.'

"The only thing that matters to me is my daughter being able to be proud of her old man."

Oh Ben, she'll be proud of you. If for nothing else, at least for your perfect skin and intimate knowledge of fisting from your time working on Chasing Amy.

[Source]