On this special day, we honor the versatile Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and her remarkable career spanning over two decades. She has played some of the most unforgettable roles in movies like the iconic ‘Girl, Interrupted’ released in 1999 and her captivating performance in Disney’s ‘Maleficent’. We wish we could mention all of her exceptional performances, but for now, let’s focus on her top five films as she turns 47.
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Gia Carangi, a supermodel, in the 1998 film “Gia” was an exceptional performance. It was a role that allowed her to showcase her dramatic abilities and earned her several accolades, including her first Screen Actors Guild Award, second Golden Globe, and a Primetime Emmy nomination. The actress admitted that playing a real-life person whom she could identify with came with a sense of responsibility. She immersed herself in the world of Gia and felt deep sorrow for the model who never experienced love or felt valued beyond her physical appearance. This was compounded by the fact that she lived in an era where AIDS was rampant, which must have added to her feelings of isolation and despair.
The 1999 film, ‘Girl, Interrupted,’ was Angelina Jolie’s breakthrough movie. Starring alongside a talented cast including Winona Ryder, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Whoopi Goldberg, and Brittany Murphy, the movie has gained a cult following since its release. Angelina played the character of Lisa brilliantly, which earned her an Academy Award. However, Angelina admits to feeling some discomfort when people praised her performance as insane. She believed that Lisa wasn’t crazy; she was just incredibly truthful, which made her appear insane.
The 2004 film ‘Mr. Mrs. Smith’ not only provided viewers with entertainment and action, but also gave Hollywood a famous couple and caused major celebrity drama. The movie helped create the iconic duo played by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. However, this relationship caused controversy as Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston when he became romantically involved with Jolie. During filming, the couple were often seen laughing, flirting, and acting like teenagers in love. Mark Behar, who worked on the set, reported catching them making out in each other’s trailers multiple times.
Angelina Jolie starred as Lara Croft in the 2001 film adaptation of the popular video game franchise, Tomb Raider. Though there are varying opinions from fans on her portrayal of the iconic character, it’s difficult to overlook this film when looking at Jolie’s career. Interestingly, Jolie initially turned down the role, but was eventually convinced to take it after being promised the opportunity to travel and train with the British Military for three months. She has encouraged others to take on similar challenges if given the opportunity.
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maleficent in the 2014 film was a major success, earning $758.4 million worldwide and even inspiring a sequel. Jolie’s performance as the poised, alluring, and enigmatic character captured audiences’ attention. The follow-up movie, featuring Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora and exploring a new side of the beloved villain, is sure to delight fans. Jolie has spoken about her personal fascination with Maleficent, confessing that she was both terrified and drawn to the character’s elegance, grace, and delicious cruelty from a young age.
