Few actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Julia Roberts. Ever since the 1990’s, Roberts has become one of the greatest actresses in the film industry. Roberts’ greatest strength as an actress has always been her versatility. Whether it’s fierce mothers, famous actresses or pretty hookers, Roberts has portrayed many characters. Given the sheer number of unforgettable movies she made, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for greatest movies produced by an actress deserving to be celebrated.
1. Notting Hill
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl that my entire school came to admire. As famous as a Hollywood actress, she was always dressed to impress. When my family moved to Canada, I was faced with a dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the uphill battles of falling in love with someone famous as powerfully as “Notting Hill”. Released in 1999, Julia Roberts’ iconic movie did an excellent job of depicting a romance involving celebrities. In the greatest role of her career, Julia Roberts embodies an actress falling in love with a bookstore owner about whom she comes to care. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her: charming, witty and romantic in her most memorable role. Roberts has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through her expressions, and her strengths as an actress are evident in “Notting Hill”. For instance, the iconic scene in which Anna conveys her affection for Will by saying she’s just a girl standing in front of a boy is the greatest moment of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Notting Hill” a romantic masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a poignant message about love which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following release of an iconic film about bookstore owners falling madly in love with actresses in Notting Hill, it’s a beautiful reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to thrill playing romantic heroines in beloved movies which give audiences dreams to fulfill.
2. Erin Bronkovich
Mothers are powerful figures shaping children’s future. As far as I remember, I’ve always shared a strong relationship with a mother I treasure. A hard-working woman, she has been a source of inspiration guiding my life in the right direction. A single mother without employment, she made a huge sacrifice raising me and my brother. Through her wisdom, I was inspired to make my dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother which played a pivotal role in my life, I loved “Erin Bronkovich”. Released in 2000, Julia Roberts’ Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of depicting the true story of a single mother’s fight against a company. In the role for which she won her first Oscar, Julia Roberts embodies a fierce mother that becomes a lawyer to secure her children’s future. Roberts uses her voice to create a mother with a sense of authority. For instance, the scene in which Erin Bronkovich stands up against lawyers for illegal practices is the most emotional work the actress has done. Ultimately, what makes “Erin Bronkovich” one of Julia Roberts’ greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about sacrifices mothers make to raise children. As someone sharing bonds with my mother, I identified with the movie. A magnificent portrait of motherhood, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress that thrives playing misunderstood female characters whose movies are treasured in Hollywood.
3. Pretty Woman
Prostitution is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell realistic stories of hookers in movies. Prostitutes are often depicted as sexual objects used by men rather than real people. In an industry where most movies often glamorize the profession of prostitution, “Pretty Woman” is an exception. Released in 1990, Garry Marshall’s movie did an excellent job of depicting the profession of prostitution on the big-screen. In the most iconic role of her career, Julia Roberts embodies a pretty prostitute woman struggling to cope with the demands of her profession. Roberts uses her powerful screen presence to create a prostitute that comes across as a real person rather than sexual object for male pleasure. For instance, the scene in which Vivian and Edward have a candid conversation in their apartment about prostitution showcases Roberts’ strength as an actress. Ultimately, what makes “Pretty Woman” one of Roberts’ best movies is its realistic depiction of prostitution. The film delivers a poignant message about the dangers posed by prostitution that still resonates today. Nearly 40 years after the release of an iconic film about pretty women seeking success in the profession of prostitution, it’s a strong reminder of an actress that thrives playing women pursuing passion whose movies deserve celebration.
4. Ben is Back
Drug addiction is a painful process causing families to face stress. A devastating addiction, substance abuse causes families to face issues. Teenagers addicted to drugs grow distant from parents that are left emotionally affected. The back-breaking obstacles faced by parents raising children that are addicted to crack are beautifully depicted in the film “Ben is Back”. Released in 2018, Julia Roberts’ movie did an extraordinary job of depicting drug addiction on the big-screen. In the most emotional role of her career, Roberts embodies a mother struggling to care for a son with drug addiction that causes despair. Shedding her glamorous movie-star persona, Roberts transforms into a mother struggling to care for a drug-addicted son causing family trauma. For instance, the scene in which Holly breaks down in tears at the sight of her son dying is the most sensitive work the actress has ever done. Ultimately, what makes “Ben is Back” succeed is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about the negative impact drug addiction has on families. A phenomenal portrait of addiction causing families to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that thrives playing complicated characters in movies audiences celebrate.
5. Eat Pray Love
It’s always hard to find a balance in life. Living a balanced lifestyle is something that has never come naturally to me. Following a regimented routine every day, I have commonly struggled to find a healthy balance that could guide my life in a positive way. As someone struggling to find a balance in a life I love, I identified with “Eat Pray Love”. Released in 2010, Julia Roberts’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book capturing importance of a balanced lifestyle. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Julia Roberts embodies a woman embarking on a spiritual journey to find meaning in her aimless life. Roberts uses her expressions without dialogue to capture a woman seeking greater meaning in her life. For instance, the scene where Elizabeth meditates showcases the actress’ strength for conveying emotion through expressions. Above all, “Eat Pray Love” resonates because of its meaningful message. The film delivers a thoughtful message about the importance of balance resonating with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about women that are spiritual, it’s a powerful reminder of a legendary actress that thrives playing thought-provoking characters questioning their life purpose in movies audiences consider special.
6. August: Osage County
Julia Roberts has built a successful career playing characters that are likeable. With attractive looks, charming personality and strong presence, the actress has come across as a likeable person. In a career filled with women that have likeable personalities, it’s worth discussing “August: Osage County”. Released in 2013, Julia Roberts’ movie found the actress playing a woman angry with her family. Unlike the likeable characters Roberts has played, Barbara is a complicated woman that’s afraid. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her emotional range she hadn’t shown before. A breathtaking adaptation of a Broadway play about dysfunctional families that blew audiences away, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that thrives given chances to play unlikeable characters in movies that deserve to be celebrated today.
7. Ocean’s 11
When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about casino robberies, it’s worth discussing “Ocean’s 11”. Released in 2001, Steven Soderbergh’s movie changed pop culture through groundbreaking depictions of casino robberies. In a star-studded cast which is filled with several A-lister actors, Julia Roberts stood out the most. In the most stylish role of her career, Roberts embodies a woman that gets caught in a casino heist orchestrated by a man with whom she had a previous romantic affair. Although she only has a supporting role in the movie, Roberts ends up stealing the show as the lover of a thief robbing a casino. As precious as a Las Vegas casino, it’s a captivating reminder of an actress that achieved fame several years ago whose movies haven’t lost abilities to captivate by giving audiences dreams to follow.
8. Money Monster
It’s not easy to make an entertaining movie about the financial crisis. A complicated subject matter, movies about the financial crisis rarely ever attract audiences to the theatre. Finance often involves tricky concepts that don’t always make for entertaining movies. That being said, in 2016 Julia Roberts managed to capture the complex subject in her film “Money Monster”. In the most intense role of her career, Roberts embodies a broadcaster whose show is held hostage by a criminal causing fear. Not only does the film offer entertainment, but it educates audiences about a complicated financial crisis. A fantastic depiction of the financial crisis that caused the world to face disaster, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actress that thrives playing characters facing situations of grave danger whose timeless movies audiences treasure.
9. My Best Friend’s Wedding
Weddings are captivating ceremonies that make for memorable movies. Audiences have always been drawn to stories of weddings being crashed which are entertaining. Movies have often used backdrops of weddings to capture romantic relationships occurring. In 1997, Julia Roberts captured the enduring appeal of wedding ceremonies bringing together families in her film “My Best Friend’s Wedding”. In her most comical role, Julia Roberts embodies an adventurous woman gatecrashing her best friend’s wedding. It’s a major role that forever changed the actress’ career by establishing her as a leading lady of romantic comedies. 30 years following the release of a romantic film about weddings that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a legendary actress that hasn’t lost capabilities to captivate audiences in movies which are iconic.
10. Ticket to Paradise
Over the past decade, the rom-com genre has faced decline in quality. With their cheesy dialogue, predictable plots and lacklustre storytelling, romantic comedies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost abilities to surprise, it’s worth discussing “Ticket to Paradise”. Released in 2022, Julia Roberts’ movie did an excellent job of breathing fresh life into the genre. In the most romantic role of her career, Roberts embodies a woman trapped in a marriage facing despair. Roberts brings a sense of wisdom and maturity to the movie that’s missing from her previous work. Alongside George Clooney, she creates a strong romantic comedy. Like precious paradise islands where dreams materialize, it’s a strong reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her ability to surprise audiences whose memorable movies I will forever prize.
The Film Buff 
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