The reel deal

Pretty Woman (1990)

The previous year’s Steel Magnolias saw Julia Roberts nominated for an Academy Award and winning a Golden Globe (Best Supporting Actress) yet the film failed to be a major box office hit. It was Pretty Woman that catapulted Julia Roberts to the top of the A list of US screen actresses as she took the Best Actress Oscar and Golden Globe awards and added a British Academy Award for Best Actress to her tally.

The film is a Cinderella tale of a street walking hooker who falls in love with a visiting businessman, played by Richard Gere. The film was criticised by many both for its materialistic sentiments and its less-than-accurate- portrayal of a prostitute’s existence. Roberts, mindful of her public image, used a body double for the nude and sex scenes.

The Player (1992)

Julia Roberts plays herself in director Robert Altman’s wry overview of Hollwood, taking in a murder mystery and a love story along the way. Although she appears only briefly at the end of the film, playing the heroine who is improbably rescued from Death Row by Bruce Willis, the connection with revered director Altman helped her regain some of the kudos that she had lost through her less-than-successful outings since Pretty Woman. Country singer Lyle Lovett, who Roberts married the following year, also starred in the film. The pair divorced 21 months later.

Michael Collins (1996)

The role of Michael Collins’ lover Kitty Kelly was a challenge for Roberts, who had come in for some criticism for her portrayal of the Irish accented maid in Mary Reilly, released earlier in ’96. However, perhaps because of her close friendship with Liam Neeson (the pair had been romantically involved having met on the set of 1988’s Satisfaction) who played Collins, her performance was well-received by critics and public alike.

Notting Hill (1999)

The British-made Four Weddings And A Funeral had been a surprise hit in the USA and the same team, headed by director Roger Mitchell, re-united for Notting Hill. It was a judicious piece of casting to choose America’s favourite actress to play, essentially, herself in a light rom-com which also starred Hugh Grant and Rhys Efans, and the film was a runaway success on both sides of the Atlantic.

This was Roberts’ most commercially successful outing since Pretty Woman, yet light romantic comedies were not the flavour of the month with Academy Award selection panels, although she did take the Golden Globe for Best Actress (Comedy/Musical).

Erin Brockovich (2000)

This tale of eco-politics, based on a true story, centres on the feisty, white-trash research assistant of the title, played by Roberts, who almost single-handedly wins a law suit against Pacific Gas & Electrical in the amount of $33 million. The company had contaminated the water supply in the town of Hinkley, California. Roberts leading role had her cast against type, a swearing, overtly sexual performance that also managed to portray the spirit of the hard-working American single mother.

Both the public and critics were united in their adoration, Roberts herself won Best Actress awards from the US Motion Picture Academy, The Golden Globes, National Board of Review and the Screen Actors Guild.

Full Frontal (Autumn/Winter 2002)

Director Steven Soderberg’s Full Frontal is an adult comedy/drama that looks at one day in the lives of a group of six individuals. It has been described as a Sex, Lies And Videotape for the new millenium.

The all-star cast includes Julia Roberts, David Duchovny, Blair Underwood, Catherine Keener, David Hyde Pierce and Mary McCormack. Although the shoot is surrounded in mystery it is believed that Sonderburgh has encouraged improvisation among his cast and the ensemble are said to be responsible for choosing their own clothes and makeup. Robert’s has been tight lipped about her role in the project and Full Frontal is one of 2002’s most anticipated Hollywood releases.