America’s sweetheart. The highest paid actress in the world. The most beautiful woman. Julia Roberts has held all these titles and more in her extensive career. This weekend she’s the star of your Sunday night movie on M-Net, Wonder. She’s also just been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the new series Homecoming, so what better time to reflect on her sparkling career with a look at her top five roles?
- Closer
Based on the play by Patrick Marber, this adaptation features four powerhouse performances from it leads: Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, and of course, Julia Roberts. Portman and Owen were deservedly nominated for Oscars. Law and Roberts, however, were sorely overlooked for performances that are easily some of the best of their careers.
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- Erin Brockovich
Roberts did eventually win the coveted Oscar. In 2001, she walked away with the golden statuette for her gritty yet tender portrayal of the title character in this based-on-a-true-story drama.
- My Best Friend’s Wedding
The queen of rom-com subverted the genre by not getting the guy in this charming late ‘90s romance. In top form as bestie to Dermot Mulroney’s leading man, she’s supported by stellar performances from Rupert Everett and rising star Cameron Diaz.
- Notting Hill
As superstar actress Anna Scott, Roberts could easily be accused of merely playing herself. But between Richard Curtis’s witty, heartfelt script and Roberts’ poignant realisation of the role, it turned into one of her most memorable performances instead.
- Pretty Woman
Roberts became the kind of star we like to meet on the silver screen with her sassy performance as Vivian in this modern fairytale. The movie shot her rising star all the way to the top, soon turning her into the world’s highest paid actress.
Watch Julia Roberts alongside Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay in Wonder, your #SundayNightMovie on 30 December at 20:05 on M-Net channel 101.