Jennifer Aniston, the actress who won the hearts of millions as Rachel Green on the popular sitcom “Friends,” is turning 55 today. As she celebrates this special occasion, we take a look back at some of her best movie roles that showcase her versatility, talent, and charisma. Whether it’s comedy, drama, romance, or thriller, Aniston has proven that she can excel in any genre and deliver memorable performances.
Top 15 Movies starring Jennifer Aniston
The Object of My Affection (1998): In this romantic comedy-drama, Jennifer Aniston plays Nina Borowski, a woman who falls in love with her gay best friend, George Hanson (Paul Rudd). As they navigate their unconventional relationship and face the challenges of parenthood, Aniston and Rudd give a heartfelt and charming performance that explores the meaning of love and friendship.
The Good Girl (2002): Jennifer Aniston takes on a dramatic role as Justine Last, a bored and unhappy retail worker who embarks on an affair with a younger co-worker, Holden Worther (Jake Gyllenhaal). As her marriage and sanity begin to crumble, Aniston delivers a nuanced and captivating performance that reveals the dark side of her character’s desires and choices.
Bruce Almighty (2003): In the 2003 fantasy film, Bruce Almighty, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey), a television reporter, incessantly complains about his life to God. To his surprise, he receives almighty power from the divine. However, as he grapples with the immense responsibilities that accompany his newfound abilities, he neglects his personal life.
Bruce’s girlfriend, Grace Connelly (Jennifer Aniston), stands by him despite his shortcomings, but their relationship hits a snag when she catches him kissing another woman. Despite Bruce’s attempts to use his powers to salvage the situation, Grace ultimately decides to leave him. This prompts Bruce to wish for the removal of his godlike powers, longing to return to a normal life.
Along Came Polly (2004): In this romantic comedy, Jennifer Aniston stars as Polly Prince, a free-spirited and adventurous woman who catches the eye of a risk-averse and uptight insurance analyst, Reuben Feffer (Ben Stiller). As they embark on a relationship, Aniston brings charm and humor to her character, creating a delightful contrast and chemistry with Stiller.
Derailed (2005): In the 2005 crime thriller, Chicago advertising executive Charles Schine (Clive Owen) engages in an extramarital affair with Lucinda Harris (Jennifer Aniston), despite both being married with children. Their illicit relationship takes a dark turn when they become embroiled in a crime, during which Charles is beaten and Lucinda is sexually assaulted. Despite the severity of the incident, they opt not to involve the authorities due to their affair and part ways.
However, Charles’s life takes a dangerous turn when he receives a menacing threat to harm his family unless he meets the extortion demands. As events unfold, Charles discovers that Lucinda is implicated in the scheme to defraud him. Determined to confront those responsible, he devises a plan to take matters into his own hands.
Friends with Money (2006): In this ensemble comedy-drama, Jennifer Aniston plays Olivia, a former teacher who works as a maid and struggles to fit in with her wealthy and successful friends. As she deals with her financial and personal issues, Aniston gives a subtle and realistic performance that highlights her character’s loneliness and insecurity.
The Break-Up (2006): In this romantic comedy-drama, Aniston plays Brooke Meyers, a woman who decides to end her relationship with her live-in boyfriend, Gary Grobowski (Vince Vaughn). However, neither of them is willing to move out of their shared apartment, leading to a series of hilarious and heartbreaking confrontations. Aniston gives a realistic and relatable portrayal of a woman trying to cope with a break-up and move on with her life.
He’s Just Not That Into You (2009): This romantic-comedy film, released in 2009, is brimming with drama and unexpected twists. It follows a diverse group of nine individuals as they navigate the complexities of love. One of the storylines follows Beth (Jennifer Aniston) and her boyfriend Neil (Ben Affleck), who holds strong reservations about marriage.
Despite living together for seven years, Beth’s desire for marriage leads to a confrontation with Neil, resulting in their breakup. As Beth moves out to care for her ailing father, Neil undergoes a change of heart and realizes he finally wants to marry her. The question remains: will Beth be open to reconciliation?
The stellar cast consists of, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Ginnifer Goodwin, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johansson, and Justin Long.
The Switch (2010): Aniston teams up with Jason Bateman in this comedy about a woman who decides to have a child using a sperm donor. However, unbeknownst to her, her best friend secretly replaces the donor’s sample with his own. As she raises her son, Aniston gives a warm and funny performance as a loving and independent mother.
The Bounty Hunter (2010): Aniston reunites with her former co-star Gerard Butler in this action comedy about a bounty hunter who is hired to track down his ex-wife, a reporter who is investigating a murder case. As they chase and bicker with each other, Aniston and Butler display a great comedic timing and chemistry, making this a fun and entertaining movie.
Horrible Bosses (2011): Nick, Dale and Kurt have personal grudges against their bosses. After a night of drunken revelry, they decide to hire a hitman and assassinate their bosses but things do not go as planned.
Just Go With It (2011): Danny Maccabee, played by Adam Sandler, is a successful plastic surgeon who, after discovering his wife’s infidelity goes on to date other women. He pretends to be unhappily married to avoid serious commitment. His charade continues until he unexpectedly falls for Palmer, portrayed by Brooklyn Decker.
With the assistance of his loyal aide Katherine, played by Jennifer Aniston, Danny maintains the facade to keep his newfound love. However, when Palmer uncovers the truth, suspense ensues as the characters navigate the consequences. Just Go with It is a romantic comedy released in 2011. It was a box office sensation, grossing approximately $214 million worldwide.
Cake (2014): In this drama, Aniston plays Claire Bennett, a woman suffering from chronic pain and depression after a car accident that killed her son. As she struggles to find meaning and healing in her life, Aniston gives a powerful and emotional performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination and critical acclaim.
Dumplin (2018): Dumplin is a coming-of-age film centered around Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald), a plus-size girl navigating life in a small Texas town. Raised by her aunt Lucy while her mother Rosie (Jennifer Aniston), a former beauty queen, focuses on pageants, Willowdean struggles to connect with her.
Following Lucy’s death, Willowdean and Rosie find it challenging to bridge the gap between them. Amidst this turmoil, Willowdean decides to shake things up by entering the Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant. Her participation sets off a series of events that test her perceptions and relationships, leading to moments of self-discovery and empowerment.
Murder Mystery (2019): Aniston joins forces with Adam Sandler in this Netflix comedy about a married couple who get involved in a murder mystery on a European vacation. As they try to clear their names and solve the case, Aniston and Sandler bring laughs and action to this whodunit.
Jennifer Aniston has been a constant source of entertainment and inspiration for her fans and admirers. As she marks another year of her illustrious career, we look forward to seeing more of her amazing work on the screen.
Happy Birthday, Jennifer Aniston! You are a true star and a legend.
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