They call her America’s Sweetheart for a reason. Of course, as schmaltzy and cornball a title as that may sound, there’s an explanation for the moniker – it’s due to a certain quality every bit as appealing as it is intangible. She’s an extremely consistent performer, the camera loves her, and winningest of all combinations in Hollywood? She’s gorgeous and self-deprecating at once. This is precisely why Julia Roberts is one of the most beloved, popular and indeed highest-paid actresses on earth.
What’s your favorite Julia Roberts movie? Mine’s a tie – Pretty Woman and Notting Hill (See? I’m a sucker for the dark, gory stuff.) In fact, Roberts is one of those actors for me (like a Johnny Depp or a James Spader) whose movies I’ll watch almost unconditionally as soon as they open. Even though I found the book Eat, Pray, Love to be an insipid, indulgent poor-me-hicle, I succumbed to its big screen iteration because I love JRob. To that point, she’s also known for invigorating less-than-stellar scripts, and for bringing warmth and familiarity to even the most tepid movies.
She’s also got 14 PCA nominations – and 12 wins, an Oscar and 3 nominations, and plenty of Golden Globes. In an age when we’ve seen this and Googled that, when nothing is impressive before an audience unless it trades in CGI Cyber power, or extreme extremism, there’s something decidedly charming about an actress who’s simply that: someone who is evocative, who you can root for, who (ostensibly) suffers just like the rest of us, who smiles like there’s no tomorrow, and who conveys genuine warmth. What’s wrong with that? Nothing like a girl, who’s just looking at a boy, is there? The infectious laugh part never hurts either.
Roberts grew up in Georgia and actually came to Hollywood because of her brother Eric – who’s also a well-known actor (niece Emma Roberts and sister Lisa are also in the biz). Her first taste of fame came with Mystic Pizza; Steel Magnolias brought her real notoriety and with Pretty Woman she became an international sensation (along with an eminently bankable star). Firmly entrenched in the romantic comedy genre (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Runaway Bride, Notting Hill) she’s also at home with thrillers (The Pelican Brief, Ocean’s Twelve and Duplicity). As a consistent top-ranker on every Hollywood Power list, she’s got her pick of the parts litter. As is what happened with Erin Brokovich, which garnered her that Oscar.
Right now audiences are getting ready for her turn as the Evil Queen in Mirror, Mirror opposite Armie Hammer and Lily Collins (one of two dueling Snow White movies headed our way, the other being Snow White and The Huntsman). After 40-odd movies, she’s already had twice the career younger stars only dream about, and yet she doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. Is Julia Roberts your Favorite PCA Movie Actress? Let us know, and don’t forget to vote!
Today’s poll:
Voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us which of these Julia Roberts films is your favorite?
1) Pretty Woman
2) Erin Brokovich
3) Notting Hill
4) Steel Magnolias
Notting Hill is fabulous!
But Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich is great too!
What about Ocean’s Eleven?
Loved Sleeping with the Enemy and Stepmom, too!
I like everything she’s in! A couple not mentioned are “Closer” and “Charlie Wilson’s War”. But, my favorite is still “Notting Hill”.
Pretty Woman by far. She put Class into being at being a lady of the night.
Looking at all of these I notice that my most favorite performances are her more serious ones i.e. Flatliners, Closer, Mona Lisa Smile…obviously Pretty Woman will always be a classic but to me so is Satisfaction (more as the total ensemble) and I LOVED Julia in her brief role in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind–she added a lot.
I have liked everything she has done but Steel Magnolias is my all time favorite movie ever so I will have to vote that movie.
steel magnolias
I really liked her in “Dying Young”
Very tough decision since I LOVE JULIA ROBERTS. All the movies she has been in I have loved, but to pick a favorite Pretty Woman then My Friends Wedding.
Pretty Woman SEEN IT PROBALY A AT LEAST A HUNDRED TIMES
Notting Hill!!
no screen play beats this one yet!
Pretty Woman!!!
FOR REAL DRAMA AND A GREAT STORY, HER BEST IS “PELICAN BRIEF” (WITH DENZEL WASHINGTON) . IT US A JOHN GRESHAM STORY AND EVEN HAS A MESSAGE .
CHECK IT OUT ON VIDEO.
Notting Hill
Pretty Woman and Erin Brokovich
she only made one good film
Pretty woman ..she was adoreable in it
I loved notting hill
but thats because of Hugh Grant, ( love him)
any cute actress could have played her part in that film
I just couldnt like her after she broke up the
newly married man that she later married
6 weeks he was married
I lost all reapect for her after that
I Love erin brokovich & Pretty woman hard to decide which one is best luv them all.
Erin Brokovich was the best movie for Julia Roberts for sure!!! Loved her character in Pretty woman but, Erin was her best!!
Of the choices, it’s a toss up between Pretty Woman and Nottinghill. I can’t think of one bad Julia Roberts movie.
Without a doube – Pretty Woman – I have watched it at lease 15 times!
I Don’t know. She’s Really Good Though.
pretty woman
Dying young was my favorite.
my favorite is Something to Talk About but I love all of her movies (except Mary Rielly – hated it!)
Ahaha. Pretty Woman.
Flat Liners
Mystic Pizza and My Best Friend’s Wediing and then Pretty Woman
None of These. My Favorite Julia Roberts Movie is Something to Talk About.
Stepmom…all J Robert fans must see, totally underrated flick that didn’t get the publicity it should have…Enjoy!
I like all of her movies, but Pretty Woman is my favorite.
Pretty Woman from this list. Steel Magnolias is too sad. Loved her in Mystic Pizza. (Remember Matt Damon as the little bratty brother?)
Definitely Mona Lisa Smile
No contest! Pretty Woman.
Pretty Woman, Steel Magnolias, Sleeping with the Enemy, Conspiracy Theory….there’s so many! She’s my all time favorite actress. Love them all! No matter how many times I’ve seen any of them I can’t change the channel if she’s on.
My favorite is Sleeping with the enemy,I loved how she call the cops and told them she shot an intruder. Love it! I liked Pretty Woman and Run away Bride
Steel Magnolias – I can’t NOT watch it if it’s on, but Pretty Woman is a close second. Actually, I’m not sure there is a movie of hers that I don’t love.
Sleeping with the Enemy, and Mona Lisa Smile….my two favs although I don’t think she’s ever made a movie I didn’t LOVE.
Notting Hill is probably my very favorite movie ever. Julia and Hugh Grant (who is adorable in it) make a great combination. I have watched it many times and never get tired of it.
Notting HIll of course. I luv the Brits
I dont agree w prostitution (Pretty Women
i like my best friends wedding but, i love pretty woman…
Steel Magnolias, but Dying Young is a very close second for me.
PRETTY WOMAN
Notting Hill…everyone in it is hilarous and kind-hearted.
“Pretty Woman” was funny, romantic and the fantasy that most women have….it gets my vote!
Pretty Woman
If I had to choose from the list (even though I love them all) I’d choose Notting Hill, then Steel Magnolias as a close second.
I LOVE Mystic Pizza too though! And Runaway Bride!
PRETTY WOMAN MY FAVORITE
PRETTY WOMAN!
I just love Julia Roberts and will watch her in almost anything, but “Pretty Woman” wins my vote, hands down, no question about it. Second choice is “Sleeping With The Enemy”.
Hands down! PRETTY WOMAN
Definitely Pretty Woman!
Pretty Woman!!!
All of them, except Notting Hill. I thought it was a dud.
Without a doubt: Pretty Woman.
Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride
i really love pretty woman every tme i watch it. steel magnolias is super too
none of em!!!
Stepmom!
Erin Brokovich and Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman
Sleeping With the Enemy is my VERY Favorite but if these are my only choices I would have to pick Notting Hill –
Young fresh vivacious vulnerable and unbelievably sexy in Mystic Pizza
Are those my only choices I love all her movies.
But Eat Pray Love is my fav.but from the above list Pretty woman for sure.
Without a doubt, Pretty Woman. I watch it every time it comes on.
Notting Hill and Erin Brokovich-