Not many actresses have made movies audiences treasure like Renee Zellweger. Since the 1990’s, Zellweger has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s single women, singers or Broadway performers, Zellweger has portrayed many characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Jerry Maguire
Sports agents seeking to plan games are figures that always fascinated my brother. I fondly recall with nostalgia joyful memories of a great brother that adored sports agents with charisma. Drawn towards the great game of soccer, he would always praise bold sports agents that he grew up to treasure. Through his lifelong love of big sports agents, my brother gave me a newfound appreciation for a great profession that I’ve grown up to value. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the dire obstacles faced by bold sports agents that people admire as powerfully as “Jerry Maguire”. Released in 1996, Renee Zellweger’s best movie captured the lives of great sports agents with charismatic personality. In the greatest role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a woman that has a romantic affair with a charismatic sports agent that causes despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and funny in her most memorable role. Zellweger has spent most of her career by playing likeable heroines in romantic comedies. With “Jerry Maguire”, however, the actress showcased rare emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also outstanding, Zellweger created a portrait of sports agents that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dorothy becomes aware that Jerry loves her saying the iconic line “you had me at hello” is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Jerry Maguire” Renee Zellweger’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about sports agents, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of pursuing dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of an iconic movie about great sports agents seeking to assist football players be successful, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies which audiences consider to be special.
2. Judy
Judy Garland is a legendary performer that always impressed my father. During my childhood, I formed a strong bond with a father that adored a classic actress in old Hollywood. He would always praise an iconic actress whose classic movies had shaped his identity. In 2019, Renee Zellweger honoured the legendary actress that built a lasting legacy in her movie “Judy”. In the most transformative role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a legendary actress seeking to prepare for a momentous concert causing despair. It’s a challenging role that required the actress to transform into a legendary actress but Zellweger succeeded tremendously. With “Judy”, the actress showcased flair for singing melodies that she hadn’t shown before in her career. For instance, the scene in which Judy breaks down in tears performing a rendition of “Over the Rainbow” at a concert causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Judy” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about classic Hollywood movie-stars, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A marvellous tribute towards a legendary movie-star that achieved fame somewhere over the rainbow years ago, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actress that has manufactured memorable movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
3. Chicago
Chicago is a beloved Broadway play that my grandfather admires today. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of Chicago. He would marvel at the way Broadway performers staged the iconic play. In 2002, Renee Zellweger honoured the legendary play staged years ago in her movie “Chicago”. In the most theatrical role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a woman that becomes involved in a murder mystery causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase flair for delivering dramatic monologues she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside John C. Reilly who is also outstanding, Zellweger honoured a Broadway play that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Roxie Hart is arrested for murder she didn’t commit causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Chicago” a commemorated musical is its universal appeal. Unlike most Broadway adaptations targeted towards a limited audience, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. A brilliant adaptation of a commemorated Broadway play, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has produced movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
4. Cinderella Man
Poverty is a terrible situation that shaped my father’s identity. Years ago, my father struggled to find a stable job causing sorrow. His inability to find stable employment affected his abilities to take care of my family. As someone treasuring a father that faced poverty as a man, I adored “Cinderella Man”. Released in 2005, Renee Zellweger’s movie honoured a real-life boxer that overcame poverty. In the most supportive role of her career, Zellweger portrayed the wife of a real-life boxing champion facing poverty despair. Zellweger has always had an aptitude for playing strong supportive women in movies, and “Cinderella Man” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also outstanding, Zellweger honoured a champion that achieved fame years ago. For instance, the scene in which Mae becomes aware that her husband is facing poverty causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Cinderella Man” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about poverty which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of boxing to appreciate it. A breathtaking tribute towards a figure in boxing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has manufactured commemorated movies which are worth celebrating.
5. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Girls with diaries seeking love have shaped my identity. I remember forming a friendship with a girl in school that used a diary to keep track of her lovers. She would often enjoy discussing her feelings about various boys in her diary which she valued highly. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a girl that recorded her thoughts on boys in a diary, I admired “Bridget Jones’s Diary”. Released in 2001, Renee Zellweger’s movie offered a captivating romantic comedy about women with diaries. In the most romantic role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a woman seeking to keep track of lovers in a diary causing despair. Zellweger has always had an aptitude for playing romantic heroines that are under stress, and “Bridget Jones’s Diary” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Bridget Jones becomes aware that Darcy has read her diary causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Bridget Jones’s Diary” a romantic classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most romantic comedies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. As precious as Bridget Jones’s diary, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has produced movies which audiences love dearly.
6. Cold Mountain
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about a mountain, it’s worth discussing Cold Mountain. Since its publication in 1997, Charles Frasier’s book has become a literary classic. In 2003, Renee Zellweger honoured the classic book about a mountain in her movie “Cold Mountain”. In the most emotional role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a female farmer seeking to care for a land facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing an aggressive woman with authority. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Zellweger honoured a classic book about mountains. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about a treacherous mountain, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with dedication that has made great movies which deserve appreciation.
7. Nurse Betty
Renee Zellweger has always excelled at playing women under intense pressure. Zellweger has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women facing emotional damage. Zellweger’s strength for playing strong women facing adversity is clearly evident in her movie “Nurse Betty”. Released in 2000, Neil LaBute’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a nurse that witnesses her husband’s murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Morgan Freeman who is also amazing, Zellweger created a character that’s compelling. As strong as Betty’s desire to resolve her husband’s murder, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress making great movies which audiences treasure.
8. One True Thing
Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell stories about ill patients facing tragedies. A sensitive subject, movies about Cancer rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 1998 Renee Zellweger did an amazing job of tackling the subject in her film “One True Thing”. In the most tragic role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a woman seeking to care for a mother with illness causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, Zellweger created a commemorated portrait of illness that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress that has become an icon in the entertainment business.
9. Miss Potter
Few authors in English literature are as beloved as Beatrix Potter. A legendary author, Potter published timeless children’s stories. Potter’s stories published years ago are highly regarded as classics today. In 2006, Renee Zellweger honoured the legendary author’s literature in her movie “Miss Potter”. In the most whimsical role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a renowned author facing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a legendary author that’s well-known. Working alongside Ewan McGregor who is also amazing, Zellweger honoured an commemorated author that’s enduring. As precious as stories that Miss Potter seeks to publish, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences cherish.
10. Case 39
Renee Zellweger hasn’t always made great movies that are beloved today. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Case 39” falls into the latter category. Released in 2009, Christian Alvart’s horror blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Zellweger portrayed a social worker seeking to care for a disturbed child facing despair. Zellweger brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Case 39” is a bad movie, it honoured Zellweger’s legacy. As strong as Emily’s desire to resolve cases of child abuse, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made unforgettable movies making headline news which I will forever treasure for inspiring my passion of writing movie reviews.
The Film Buff 