Julia Roberts

[SluttyMary]

pepper67 said:

That's for sure! She did America's Sweethearts a year later, and I don't know how big a hit that was, but I always saw it more as a CZJ film. I much preferred CZJ's character, as she was wonderfully diva-ish.

And seeing those two together on screen, it really left me wondering why on earth JR is considered to be this great beauty.

[Deleted]

And seeing those two together on screen, it really left me wondering why on earth JR is considered to be this great beauty.

And Ocean's 12 confirmed it.

[groovethang]

I used to love Julia Roberts. She totally rocked in Pretty Woman; I think her charisma leapt off the screen. And I couldn't take my eyes off of her in Steel Magnolias and Flatliners. She just had that "something", IMO.

Now, I'm not that crazy about her. I don't hate her like I hate Gwyneth but the shine has definitely worn off and I kind of miss the old Julia. I thought young Julia was more carefree, fun and seemed like a pretty cool person. She was an actress I enjoyed seeing in the movies. Now I just see her as completely self-centered and arrogant. The whole thing with Denzel at the Oscars, and that Low Vera t-shirt put a serious distaste in my mouth.

But, there's still a small part of me that defends her because of how I saw her 13-15 years ago. Sad, I know.

[Deleted]

And Ocean's 12 confirmed it.

I thought the hair and makeup crew must have HATED her on Oceans 12, because I have never seen her look so plain. She looked like she just showed up and they plopped her in front of the camera makeup-free, becuase she is JULIA ROBERTS, the MOST BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED, RICHEST star in the world!!

I loved My Best Friend's Wedding- own it- the soundtrack, the whole nine yards. But what she did to Vera Moder was terrible and I will never again be a fan.

[ernestine]

groovethang, that is EXACTLY how I feel about her! She was my favorite actess for years, and I wouldn't miss a new Julia Roberts movie. I love Pretty Women, Steel Magnolias, Sleeping with the Enemy, and My Best Friend's Wedding. Notting Hill is one of my favorite movies ever (more for the warm, realistic love story between the supporting characters though, but, I digress...). She pretty much could do no wrong.

Something happened to her when Benjamin Bratt broke up with her, though. Now she's just NASTY. She never comes off as pleasant and, though she's always been a bit of a know-it-all who used big words when a small one would do, now that just grates!

Her children "awake smelling of promise!" Her husband is "a man among men!" Heck, I remember a quote of hers back when she was still with Bratt where she said she awoke everday "drunk with joy." Gag me.

Now she comes off as a pretentious, annoying, and really needy woman. I read an interview with the cast of Ocean's 12 in some magazine, and she took the spotlight. All these men are charmed by her. The other actors love her. They all want her. They fall all over themselves to get her attention. No, she never SAID these things, but that's how she acted. Now, CZJ was being interviewed in this same group setting, and she very rarely interjected anything. I got the distinct impression that she was uncomfortable, she was odd man out, and that the other men couldn't like her because that would make Queen Julia mad. Julia was holding court from her hospital room where she was on bedrest for her pregnancy, and CZJ seemed to take the whole thing gracefully. Like she refused to play this childish game. It made me like CZJ a lot more.

I could be totally reading things into it (I do this a lot.) but it was a really revealing interview with a woman who will soon be in her forties. No longer America's Sweetheart. No longer able to command 20 million a pic. That's why I think she's scaled back her work. Not because she wants to, but because she wants to give off the appearance that she works less by choice. That she accepts less money because it's an ensemble piece. That she's still relevent.

Ugh. And yet, there is a part of me that would love to like her again. Do something likable Julia! Something, anything likable! Do it for me!

[Deleted]

Moldy, I understand it's only a magazine article that's getting repeated on and in all media since it appeared, despite the fact that she's made nothing of significance for years, and I have no quibbles with some of her work. Here's where she lost me.

When she appeared in People and Us Weekly wearing the 'A Low Vera' tee shirt. She hasn't won me back because she doesn't even see that what she did was wrong.

[Deleted]

When she appeared in People and Us Weekly wearing the 'A Low Vera' tee shirt. She hasn't won me back because she doesn't even see that what she did was wrong.

Me too. I never thought she was a great actress (like Vanessa Redgrave, Judy Davis, or Debra Winger). But I liked her as a screen personality. Plus I thought it was cool that she's loves good literature.
But ever since that "A Low Vera" thing I've had a personal dislike for her and don't enjoy her in movies.
For me, talent can overcome just about anything. I'll still watch Woody Allen films even though he's a cretin. I'll still enjoy Russell Crowe movies even though he's a violent asshole and a baby. But Julia Roberts (just like Tom Cruise) can't overcome their assy personalities and get me to watch their movies anymore.

[Karrit]

For me, talent can overcome just about anything. I'll still watch Woody Allen films even though he's a cretin. I'll still enjoy Russell Crowe movies even though he's a violent asshole and a baby. But Julia Roberts (just like Tom Cruise) can't overcome their assy personalities and get me to watch their movies anymore.

I classify celebs who are in movies/tv/theatre as "actors" or "movie stars." Actors are Daniel Day Lewis, Russell Crowe, Kate Winslet, et al. They are different from role to role, they become their character, they make it real, they are artists.

Movie stars have a certain "it" quality that makes them appealing. But they play the same character over and over. Oh sometimes, they might get a lucky combination of right role and timing for their limited talents and they might even win an Oscar (see Roberts, Julia and Wayne, John).

Now, I can enjoy a movie star. I adore Harrison Ford, but I don't think he is an "actor." But that is ok, I like looking at him, and have enjoyed most of what he has done. Witness was a great match of his talents and the character and it got him his Oscar nom.

Take away the appeal, and there is no real talent to compel you take an interest and POOF! No one cares any more and there goes the career.

tversky, you make a great example of this with Julia and Tom.

[heavenwithagun]

ernestine said:

I remember a quote of hers back when she was still with Bratt where she said she awoke everday "drunk with joy."

In all fairness, this one has the ring of truth about it.

[groovethang]

I'm watching Stepmom again while it's on cable, and I have to say that I think Julia looks lovely in this movie. I think the lighter hair with highlights, and the short hair with bangs softens her look.