Reese Witherspoon has had an incredibly successful career as an actor, producer, and entrepreneur. With her production company, Hello Sunshine, the triple threat has not only starred in some iconic roles (Legally Blonde aside), but also spearheaded several hit television shows and movies, including Big Little Lies and Gone Girl, just to name a few. Fresh off the release of one of her latest projects, Apple TV’s The Last Thing He Told Me, on which she serves as an executive producer, we take a look back at the actress’ storied cinematic career.
Reese’s film debut, The Man in the Moon was directed by Robert Mulligan, the director of To Kill A Mockingbird. Critics praised her portrayal of Dani Trant, a young country girl who falls in love for the first time. At the time, Janet Maslin wrote in The New York Times that Witherspoon carried most of the film on her own. “She does an excellent job reminding the audience that this is at heart a story about family,” Maslin wrote.
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Several years before Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, James Foley directed another Seattle-based film about a guy (Mark Wahlberg) who gets a little obsessed with a girl (Witherspoon). You might enjoy the first half of Fear if you’re not a fan of thrillers, when it shows the courtship before things go terribly wrong. The second half of the film is filled with all the aspects of a great thriller, from a suspenseful build-up to unexpected plot twists and a thrilling climax.
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Pleasantville tells the story of two siblings (Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire) trapped in a 1950s TV show. Trust us when we say it’s funnier and more heartwarming than it sounds.
Witherspoon’s breakout role arrived in this modern adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ Dangerous Liaisons, Cruel Intentions. Witherspoon starred as the virginal daughter of the headmaster alongside iconic cast-mates Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar as the scheming step-siblings. The film got lots of attention for its dark and edgy plot, as well as strong performances from its cast of rising young stars.
To ensure she wins her high school election, Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick will go to any length necessary – including compromising the success of her opponents. Despite her questionable tactics, Tracy Flick remains an intriguing character, evoking admiration and pity in equal measure.
Witherspoon deserves credit for nailing a scene involving a Vietnamese potbellied pig. Her breakup scene with Christian Bale truly set the stage for her to shine in her next film.
To no one’s surprise, Elle Woods remains Witherspoon’s most iconic role, and one of the most iconic characters in cinema to date, so much so that Ariana Grande honoured her in the music video for “Thank U, Next”. From her tenacity to her over-the-top fashion sense, it’s no wonder why Elle Woods has remained such an iconic figure in popular culture.
In this 2002 adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic, Witherspoon added another touch of sparkle. Her performance alongside Colin Firth as Cecily Cardew earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination. The film’s delightful ensemble cast added to the lightheartedness of the story, making it a joy to watch.
While Witherspoon first became known as a comedic actress thanks to Legally Blonde, Walk the Line established her as a serious actress able to tackle the most complex of roles. Not only did the actress receive critical recognition for her performance, she also went on to win an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild award.
Reese Witherspoon’s rom-coms rarely disappoint, and this one is no exception. In Just Like Heaven, she really owns the role of an overworked doctor who dies in a car crash and haunts her apartment. Meanwhile, Mark Ruffalo continues to ride the nice-guy wave.
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This Christmas rom-com revolves around two lovers who are forced to visit all four of their divorced parents for the holidays. Vince Vaughn plays Brad, Witherspoon’s husband in the movie.
This one received mixed reviews, despite being based on the beloved novel by Sara Gruen. Yet the movie quickly gained a cult following that still exists to this day. You have to give Witherspoon some credit here for holding her own around Robert Pattinson.
In This Means War, CIA agents Frank (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) both compete for Witherspoon’s love.
Prior to Big Little Lies, Witherspoon starred alongside Laura Dern and Jean-Marc Vallée in Wild. She seamlessly embodied Cheryl Strayed onscreen, and not just because she had a giant backpack. The actress was nominated for multiple awards here, including the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics’ Choice Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Paul Thomas Anderson directed this 2014 adaptation of the Thomas Pynchon novel Inherent Vice. In this neo-noir mystery comedy, Witherspoon plays a district attorney who has a fling with a stoner/private investigator portrayed by none other than Joaquin Phoenix. There’s not much else to say about this Walk the Line reunion, but the few scenes they do share together are wonderful.
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In this adaptation of the beloved YA sci-fi novel, Reese gives a near-perfect performance as Mrs. Whatsit. She delivers the character’s wit, wisdom and magic perfectly, making this adaptation a must-see for fans of the book and newcomers alike.
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