Every Julia Roberts Rom-Com, From 'Mystic Pizza' to 'Ticket to Paradise'
From Pretty Woman to Ticket To Paradise, Julia Roberts is the master of romantic comedies
There’s no question about it, Julia Roberts is the queen of rom-coms. The actress has had a long-standing career on the big screen, with over three decades of experience. While her talent is unquestionable and shines regardless of any role she takes on, her most notable performances have been within the genre of romantic comedies.
Even when acting alongside top actors in the industry such as George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Clive Owen, and Brad Pitt, Roberts has held her own and come out as a star in her own league. The actress has mastered the art of knowing how to tap into the emotions of every character she plays, leaving behind a performance of authenticity.
To appreciate the masterful performances that Roberts has bestowed upon us throughout her career, L’OFFICIEL is looking back at every rom-com the A-list star has been in.
At the beginning of her claim to the rom-com throne, Roberts, alongside Lili Taylor and Annabeth Gish, play three waitresses at a small pizza parlor. Each woman goes through their own trials and tribulations, especially in the love department, but ultimately all three of them find what they need. It’s a classic coming-of-age story about the importance of friendship and staying true to yourself.
Perhaps one of Roberts's best performances, the actress plays Vivian Ward, a sex worker who got unintentionally hired by businessman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) to pretend to be his girlfriend. What was meant to be a temporary arrangement evolved into a relationship with genuine feelings. Together they changed one another for the better and brought out the best in each other.
Following two news reporters at rival companies, I Love Trouble stars Roberts and Nick Nolte. From rivals assigned the same story, to friends who must help each other unravel the mystery they are now indirectly a part of, to lovers who have been through it all, it’s a sweet and lighthearted rom-com with lots of romance and witty banter.
In her role as Grace King Bichon, Roberts really showed off her talent with the wide range of emotions needed to convincingly pull off this character. After discovering that her husband is having an affair, Grace leaves him and goes home to spend time with her family. The sisterly bond between Grace and Emma Rae (Kyra Sedgwick) was a highlight of the film, and though Grace got back together with her cheating husband, it showed that through love can be forgiveness.
The only thing that could make a rom-com even more irresistible is by turning it into a musical. This Woody Allen rom-com musical tells the story of Joe (Allen), a writer who got dumped and goes through a journey of finding love again. While the film doesn’t end with him walking into the sunset with a new beau, we do get to watch Joe try to woo the alluring Von (Roberts) all while his kids and family are handling their own relationships. It’s a lighthearted rom-com with lots of catchy tunes, fun dance numbers, and comical scenes.
Is there anything more chaotic than a story on unrequited love? Julianne “Jules” Potter (Roberts) discovers that her best friend Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) is getting married to Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz), Jules realizes that she’s in love with him. In an attempt to get him to be with her, Potter jumps through hoops to try to sabotage the wedding and get Michael and Kimmy to break up. But no matter what she threw their way, her yearning wasn’t enough and she had to accept that it wasn’t meant to be.
To put it plainly, the role of Maggie Carpenter was destined to be played by Roberts. Maggie is a charming and mysterious young woman who gets so nervous about marriage that she has left every fiancé she’s had at the altar, deeming her the “runaway bride.” Reporter Ike Graham (Richard Gere) to get the inside scoop about why Maggie always backs out. Along the way, Ike learns that there’s more to her than meets the eye and, of course, ends up falling in love.
It’s a picture-perfect rom-com that was nominated for a Golden Globe for a reason. What started with a spilled drink ended in a classic love story. When William Thacker (Hugh Grant), a bookshop owner, accidentally runs into Anna Scott (Roberts), a famous actress, they soon hit it off not long after meeting. As they navigate their love story, they go through a lot of ups and downs, but ultimately their love prevails.
A story between two lovers who get separated due to a series of unfortunate events, Roberts and Brad Pitt have undeniable chemistry. Though their characters were apart for a significant portion of the film, their love for each other was clear. The movie is a good balance of drama and comedy, and Roberts was nothing less than a star.
Who doesn't enjoy a good love triangle? When A-list couple and movie stars Gwen Harrison (Catherina Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) have a nasty breakup, Kathleen “KiKi” Harrison (Roberts), Gwen’s sister, is enlisted to be the middleman between the two and help get them back together. Things go awry when Kathleen develops feelings for Eddie, Gwen has an affair with actor Hector Gorzongolas (Hank Azaria), and Eddie is still longing for Gwen. It’s a gloriously messy love story and a timeless piece of entertainment.
Whoever said that a spy film can’t be a romantic comedy? A little different from most rom-coms, Duplicity is a bit of a thriller with a lot of ups and downs, numerous plot twists, and questions about who is who. However, the romance between Claire Stenwick (Roberts) and Ray Koval (Clive Owen) is undeniable and has watchers rooting them on throughout the movie.
Valentine’s Day is one the most well-known rom-coms, and for good reason. The film follows an ensemble cast of all-star cast actors like Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, and Anne Hathaway, to name a few. The film tracks how these different characters navigate Valentine's Day and the many ups and downs that are a part of it. It’s a classic film with tons of good laughs and feel-good moments.
After realizing she’s unsatisfied with her life, Elizabeth Gilbert (Roberts) divorces her husband, leaves everything behind, and decides to travel the world. On her journey of self-discovery, she comes across Felipe (Javier Bardem) a sexy Brazilian businessman. The sweet film is based on a true story and is a movie adaptation of the bestselling memoir Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia.
Roberts and Hanks starring together in a movie? Say no more. The film follows Larry Crowne (Hanks), a recently unemployed man who decides to try to get back on the right track by enrolling in college. While there he falls in love with his speech professor Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), an unhappily married borderline alcoholic who wants to feel alive. It’s a sweet and slow-burning romance with a good amount of laughs and two great actors leading the way.
An interconnected story following unknowingly connected people, Mother’s Day tells a story regarding the relationships that numerous people have with their mothers. Portrayed with an impressive cast list including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Jason Sudeikis, Shay Mitchell, and Sarah Chalke to name a few, the film is a feel-good movie that unveils the highs and lows of familial relationships.
After taking a hiatus from romantic comedies, both Roberts and Clooney returned returned to the genre in Ticket to Paradise. The film follows a divorced couple who, despite not getting along, have reunited to work together to stop their daughter from impulsively marrying someone she just met. Along the way, sparks have rekindled and maybe their love story hasn’t ended after all.