For over thirty years Reese Witherspoon has been at the forefront of Hollywood with incredible roles in comedies, biopics and dramas. Known for her small stature and big performances, Witherspoon's incredible likability and on-screen charisma have made her famous. While Witherspoon is often associated with heartwarming performances in beloved rom-coms, she excels with impressively poignant and emotional turns in powerful biopics and deep dramas.
One of the most popular actresses of the 1990s, Witherspoon's career has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades. from impressive early turns in underrated satirical comedies such as Highway towards him Academy Award winning performance Walk the lineWitherspoon has demonstrated her skills in various genres. Witherspoon has even branched out through her own production company, Hello Sunshine, where she has produced and starred in several all-female productions. Wild.
10 Reading (2016)
Reese Witherspoon as Rosita
Although not primarily known for her voiceover work, she has played several roles in animated films such as Reese Witherspoon. Trumpet of the swan and Monsters vs. Aliens. Her biggest voice role, however, came as Rosita, a disgruntled housewife and mother of 25 piglets in the musical Jukebox. Read. This family-friendly film is set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. Rosita, the female pig, participated in the film's song contest, where she competed for a $1,000 prize.
With a talented cast including Matthew McConaughey, Seth MacFarlane and Scarlett Johansson, Witherspoon's role was the emotional centerpiece of the film. Far from her busy life as an overworked mother, Rosita found meaning in the world of music and excitement. With impressive animation, an infectious sense of humor and a warm, moving story, Read was a crowd-pleasing comedy for audiences of all ages. Witherspoon's role was a particular focus, and she returned to play Rosita again Reading 2.
9 Just Like Heaven (2005)
Reese Witherspoon as Elizabeth
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No genre suits Reese Witherspoon's unique cinematic appeal better than the rom-comHis role in the 2000s comedy proved that Just like Heaven. Witherspoon as Elizabeth, a doctor who doesn't have time to deal, and Mark Ruffalo as David, who moves into her apartment, it's only natural that romance blossoms between the pair. However, things were not so simple, as Elizabeth was involved in a car accident and her new tenant's apartment was haunted by her ghost.
This unique concept proved to be the perfect template for comedy gold as Witherspoon and Ruffalo head on, but they soon fell for each other. With plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and an understanding of how ridiculous his story is, Just like Heaven rises above its overwrought narrative to deliver a heartwarming rom-com. While it may not be recognized as one of the best rom-coms of the 2000s, it's worth checking out for those who love a good fantasy-based romance.
8 Freeway (1996)
Reese Witherspoon as Vanessa Lutz
Reese Witherspoon gave a mesmerizing performance as Vanessa Lutz in the dark comedy Highway. As a dark retelling of the Grimm story “Little Red Riding Hood”, Highway Witherspoon took things into darker territory as she played an illiterate teenager who was thrown out of foster care after her drug-addicted mother was arrested for prostitution. While going to shelter with her grandmother, she meets the despicable serial killer Bob Wolverton (Kiefer Sutherland), who helps Vanessa Witherspoon before shooting her in the face.
With many turns, Highway It had a unique sense of humor as it easily shifted between genres, including coming-of-age comedy, serial killer horror, and finally, courtroom drama. From writer and director Matthew Bright, Highway I really got the best of Witherspoonit was an earlier indication of his incredible star power. Although it was a box office bomb upon its release, Highway it has since gained a cult following thanks to its wicked sense of humor and perfectly camp style.
7 Cruel Intentions (1999)
Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove
A steamy teenage romance Cruel intentions It was a modern adaptation of the 1782 novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos Les Liaisons Dangereusesa story of deep corruption and depravity. With a star-studded cast including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon, this cult film saw two brutal stepbrothers conspire to destroy the daughter of an elite Manhattan executive who strongly opposes pre-love sex. As Annette Hargrove, Witherspoon perfectly captured the girl-next-door charm of Ryan Phillippe's seemingly eternally virginal object of secret desires.
With raging hormones and a wonderfully twisted story, Cruel intentions it was an erotic film no longer produced for mainstream audiences. Laclos' novel had already been adapted Dangerous Relationships A 1988 reimagining of this teenager with Glenn Close and John Malkovich further enhanced his sensibility. With a sequel, prequel, and even a jukebox musical, Cruel intentions it also led to the development of an unexpected franchise.
6 Pleasantville (1998)
Reese Witherspoon as Jennifer / Mary Sue Parker
Inner happiness described as a 1950s sitcom Leave it to the beaver and I love Lucy be willing, the truth behind these images was explored in teenage fantasy in the 1990s Pleasantville. Transporting Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire as twin siblings to a 1950s black-and-white TV sitcom, this unique film tackles the stark difference between fact and fiction and the downsides of romanticizing a fantasy world. Touching on the topics of personal and political repression, Pleasantville was a tongue-in-cheek look at modern American society.
Witherspoon's performance as Jennifer, the hot-headed sister who takes the place of shy good girl Mary Sue Parker in Pleasantville, the idyllic fiction was a perfect contrast to the repressed tendencies of the city. By demonstrating its modernity and refuses to comply Pleasantville's suppressed sexual expectationshe added color to the black and white world and shook the values of the society to its roots. Witherspoon played Jennifer to perfection, carefully walking the fine line between faux 1950s innocence and modern rebellion.
5 Natural Vice (2014)
Reese Witherspoon as Deputy District Attorney Penny Kimball
Reese Witherspoon reunited with him Walk the line Joaquin Phoenix stars in Paul Thomas Anderson's crazy neo-noir mystery A natural vice. Based on the book by the famous dense and mysterious writer Thomas Pynchon, A natural vice Phoenix portrayed stone hippie private detective Doc Sportello, who tries to solve three disappearances in Los Angeles in 1970. Witherspoon played a district attorney with a soft spot for hippies on the run with Doc providing her with classified documents to help her case.
However, it must be acknowledged A natural vice made for confused and confusing viewing, like the best noir films, it was the journey, not the destination, that mattered in this complex and slowly unfolding mystery. From Director Anderson, A natural vice once demonstrated the ability to capture the 1970s as he did before Boogie Nights and then he will succeed Licorice pizza. A natural vice was really weird, uniquely funny, and one of the most underrated movies of the 2010s.
4 Wild (2014)
Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed
A biographical drama Wild Based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir of adventure, grief and recovery as she embarked on an 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail to overcome difficult personal challenges. As Cheryl, Witherspoon captured her character's longing and searching as she grappled with her mother's death and tried to numb the pain with heroin use and mindless sex. Wild It showed how a renewed determination and spirit of adventure helped Cheryl overcome a difficult situation to find purpose in life once again.
Witherspoon also acted as a producer Wildwas the first film made with his production company Pacific Standard, now known as Hello Sunshine. Witherspoon is pictured Wild asthe most difficult film I have done in my life” (via Hit) when he and the crew were filming in remote locations “they dragged each other to the mountains and carried each other's equipment.” But it gave natural conditions Wild The real and believable feel mixed with the emotional intensity of Witherspoon's performance made for a truly moving story.
3 Election (1999)
Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick
With a combination of dark humor and some really smart writing, Election It was one of the most highly rated comedies of the 1990s. As Reese Witherspoon's high school senior Tracy Flick and Matthew Broderick's teacher decide to sabotage her run for student government president, this compelling political satire demonstrates how easily the brutal nastiness of politics can find its way into the realm of high school elections.
Boasting one of Withspoon's finest performances, Election it was not a commercial hit upon release. However, it fared better with critics and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Director Alexander Payne also revealed (via HuffPost) that President Barack Obama told him Election It was my favorite political movie. With so many definitions and recommendations to consider, this is clear Election It was a must-see entry in Witherspoon's impressive filmography.
2 Walk The Line (2005)
Reese Witherspoon as June Carter
The life story of country music legend Johnny Cash is told in an unprecedented biopic walk the line starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Star-crossed lovers Johnny and June Carter's whirlwind romance, with its many ups and downs, was further complicated by the country icon's drug and alcohol abuse. In June, Witherspoon captured the emotional upheaval of watching Johnny self-destruct and the struggles of trying to reconcile their broken relationship.
Walk the line Loving Johnny was as much a story of June's troubles, and Witherspoon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her extraordinary performance. A country legend in his own right, Johnny's personal struggles and their tumultuous relationship inspired June to write one of her most famous songs, “Ring of Fire,” and it was thrilling to watch. Walk the line was a perfect example of what a great biography can achieveit brought new listeners to the legacy of Johnny Cash and delighted longtime fans of the Man in Black.
1 Legally Blonde (2001)
Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods
Reese Witherspoon played the role of Elle Wood perfectly Legally Blondehis definitive film and most recognizable character. As the story of a drunken and weak-looking sorority girl who tries to win back her boyfriend by getting a Harvard Law degree, this cute rom-com tackled the stereotype of dumb blondes and the idea of someone just being interested in beauty and fashion. doesn't automatically mean they're dumb. As Elle continues her education, she defies everyone's expectations of her to prove that she is no weakling.
the success of Legally Blonde It rests firmly on Witherspoon's performance, which exudes a sunny energy and makes her character impossible not to like. With a clever and engaging script, Reese Whitherspoon elevated this material with a hilarious performance and impeccable comedic timing. sequel called Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde Released in 2003 and titled the upcoming prequel series By hand It is expected to be released in 2025, which shows interest Legally Blonde it has not decreased for more than 20 years after its release.
Sources: Vulture, Huff Post