- If you're not a member why not Start a FREE trial
- Already a member? Sign in here
- Get our newsletter
- Help
|
Top 10 Julia Roberts
Mystic Pizza (1988)Julia Roberts wasn’t the only movie star whose career was kick started by Mystic Pizza: Matt Damon made his film debut in the romantic comedy – his best bud Ben Affleck also auditioned but missed out on the role. Roberts was just 20 years-old when she played Daisy Arujo in a story about three young women working in a pizza palour. She may have been fresh-faced and full of innocence but Roberts was going places as the young actress who grabbed Hollywood’s attention. 
Steel Magnolias (1989)Based on a play by the American screenwriter Robert Harling that documents the tragic death of his sister - Steel Magnolias is the all-American weepie, guaranteed to make you giggle and grab your hankie at the same time. With a starry cast that includes Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine and Daryl Hannah, Roberts was in fine company, playing the tragic lead. A role originally offered to Winona Ryder and Meg Ryan, Roberts fought them off and deservedly received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. 
Pretty Woman (1990)Pretty Woman cemented Roberts’ status as one of Hollywood’s leading ladies. Starring alongside Richard Gere who was 19 years her senior (she was only 22), Roberts was so nervous whilst filming the lovemaking scene that a vein popped out of her forehead. Gere and director Garry Marshall were on hand however to, er, massage her forehead until the vein popped back. It’s also worth mentioning that the iconic film poster, which sees the two leads stand back-to-back, is not Ms Roberts body. Although having seen the film you could easily be forgiven for thinking it was… 
Mary Reilly (1996)It may have received poor reviews and deemed a box office failure but Mary Reilly is worth a mention even for the sheer absolute disaster of the production. Roberts took on the lead role in this serious drama telling the familiar Jekyll and Hyde story from the point of view of the doctor's long-time maid, Mary Reilly. After 25 rewrites Stephen Frears called the Golden Globe nominated cast, including John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michael Gambon, back to London to shoot three alternative endings. 
Notting Hill (1999)A massively successful British film, Notting Hill is typically attractive Richard Curtis fare. The film begged the question ‘can the most famous film star in the world can fall for an ordinary guy on the street?’. With Hugh Grant on fine floppy-haired form as leading man Will Thacker and Roberts her dazzling self, it also launched the career of Rhys Ifans, as Grant’s strange and often semi-nude Welsh flatmate. As well as thrusting the area of Notting Hill into the limelight and making that red door a notable tourist attraction. 
Erin Brockovich (2000)Erin Brockovich was a double-whammy for Roberts: she finally got Oscar glory with a Best Actress award and she made history when she became the first actress to break the $20m mark for her salary. The film is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, a single mother who starts work at a law firm and stumbles upon medical records placed in real estate files. As she begins to investigate she discovers a cover-up involving contaminated water causing devastating illnesses among its residents. Watch out for the real Erin Brockovich: she makes a cameo in the film as a waitress aptly named Julia. 
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)Teaming up with Erin Brockovich director Steven Soderbergh on the ridiculously sexy Ocean’s Eleven, Roberts had a whale of time with the predominantly male (and rather attractive) cast, that includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Casey Affleck, to name just a few. In typical charming fashion, it was reported that co-star George Clooney sent the script to her with a $20 bill attached and a note, saying “I hear you're getting 20 a picture now”. Oh George. 
Closer (2004)Based on the 1997 award winning play, in which the late Natasha Richardson played the role of Anna – Roberts’ character in the movie adaptation. It sees Roberts character caught up in the tangles of modern love with the likes of Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Jude Law. Mike Nicholls’ challenging film was a critical and commercial success, which saw all four leads give outstanding performances. 
Charlotte’s Web (2006)Tim Burton turned down the opportunity to direct Charlotte’s Web so that he could work on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Gary Winick - director of 13 Going on 30 and Bridewars - took the project on instead. Dakota Fanning stars as Fern and Julia Roberts provides the voice for Charlotte the spider in this classic children’s story. Acting greats such as, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey and Kathy Bates also lend their voices to the various animals in the film. 
Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)Following Closer, Roberts reunites with director Mike Nichols on Charlie Wilson’s War, joining Hollywood heavyweights Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film is based on the true-story of cheeky Texas congressmen Charlie Wilson - who was better known for his love of women and wine, then his political prowess – who inadvertently led Washington in support for the Afghan people and the defeat of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Although he was recuperating from heart transplant surgery, the real Charlie Wilson made it to the red carpet premiere of the film. Tegan Kniveton |