Angelina Jolie’s Best Roles

Angelina Jolie emerged in the 1990s as one of Hollywood’s most compelling and electrifying new talents. She quickly built a reputation for her intense and fearless performances in a series of challenging roles that showcased her incredible range. Her captivating screen presence and willingness to portray complex and often troubled characters earned her critical acclaim early in her career including an Academy Award. She seamlessly transitioned from celebrated dramatic actress to one of the world’s biggest action stars proving her versatility and cementing her status as a global box office draw.

Beyond her work as an actress Jolie has also become a respected director producer and a dedicated humanitarian. Her film choices often reflect her interest in global issues and the human condition. From edgy independent films to massive blockbuster franchises she has crafted a unique and powerful career. This list explores some of the most iconic and memorable roles that have defined her journey from a Hollywood rebel to an international superstar.

‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001)

Angelina Jolie brings the popular video game character Lara Croft to life in this action-adventure film. She plays a wealthy British aristocrat who moonlights as a globetrotting artifact hunter and highly skilled combatant. The story follows Lara on a quest to find a powerful ancient relic called the Triangle of Light before it can fall into the hands of a secret society known as the Illuminati. Her mission takes her to exotic locations like Cambodia and Siberia where she must solve puzzles and battle enemies.

The film is based on the incredibly successful ‘Tomb Raider’ video game series. To prepare for the physically demanding role Jolie underwent extensive training in weapons handling kickboxing and yoga and she performed many of her own stunts. The movie was a huge commercial success and its popularity led to a sequel solidifying Jolie’s status as a leading action hero.

‘The Tourist’ (2010)

In this romantic thriller Jolie plays Elise Clifton-Ward a mysterious and elegant woman who is being watched by police. She is the former lover of a fugitive who stole billions from a gangster and the authorities believe she will lead them to him. On a train to Venice she deliberately sits with an unsuspecting American math teacher to make the police believe he is her elusive partner. This action plunges the innocent man into a dangerous world of espionage and intrigue.

The film is a remake of the 2005 French movie ‘Anthony Zimmer’. It was shot on location in Paris and Venice Italy showcasing the beautiful scenery of both cities. Jolie co-starred with Johnny Depp and the movie was noted for the glamorous style and chemistry of its two leads. The story is full of twists and turns as the characters navigate a perilous cat-and-mouse game.

‘Hackers’ (1995)

In one of her first major film roles Angelina Jolie plays Kate Libby an expert hacker who goes by the handle “Acid Burn”. She is part of a group of gifted high school students who are deeply immersed in the emerging culture of cyberspace. The group uncovers a dangerous computer virus designed to embezzle corporate funds and they soon find themselves framed for the crime. They must use their considerable hacking skills to clear their names and prevent a global disaster.

The film became a cult classic in the years after its release celebrated for its vibrant mid-90s aesthetic its techno-infused soundtrack and its imaginative depiction of the internet. It captured the spirit of the early digital age and the burgeoning hacker subculture. Jolie’s character is a confident and stylish standout in the ensemble cast and the role helped to establish her edgy on-screen persona.

‘Eternals’ (2021)

Jolie joins a large cinematic universe to play Thena a powerful immortal warrior. She is a member of the Eternals a race of ancient super-powered beings who were sent to Earth thousands of years ago to protect humanity from monstrous creatures called Deviants. Thena has the ability to form any weapon she can imagine out of cosmic energy and is one of her team’s most formidable fighters but she suffers from a psychological affliction that sometimes causes her to lose control.

The film is based on the Marvel comics of the same name and introduces a new team of superheroes with a vast and complex history. It was directed by Chloé Zhao shortly after she won an Academy Award for Best Director. The movie spans centuries showing the Eternals’ influence on human history and their reunion in the present day to face a new cosmic threat.

‘Salt’ (2010)

In this action-packed spy thriller Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt a highly respected CIA agent. Her life is turned upside down when a Russian defector walks into her office and accuses her of being a dormant KGB sleeper agent who is programmed to assassinate the Russian president. Fearing for her husband’s safety and determined to prove her innocence Salt goes on the run using all of her training and skills to evade capture by her own agency.

The script for the film was originally written for a male protagonist but was later rewritten specifically for Jolie. She performed the majority of her own stunts for the film which included intricate fight choreography and high-speed chase sequences. The movie is a fast-paced thriller full of twists that keep the audience guessing about the main character’s true identity and allegiances.

‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2005)

Angelina Jolie stars as Jane Smith a woman who appears to be in a dull suburban marriage with her husband John. In reality both she and John are elite assassins working for competing secret agencies a fact they have successfully hidden from each other for years. Their secret lives collide when they are both assigned to assassinate the same target leading them to discover each other’s true professions and turning their marital problems into a deadly and explosive conflict.

The action-comedy was a massive box office success known for its blend of humor thrilling action sequences and the undeniable chemistry between Jolie and her co-star Brad Pitt. The film features several elaborately choreographed fight scenes that take place within the couple’s home symbolizing their marital strife in a highly physical and entertaining way.

‘A Mighty Heart’ (2007)

Jolie portrays Mariane Pearl a journalist and the wife of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in this biographical drama. The film is based on the true story of Daniel’s abduction and murder in Pakistan in 2002. It follows the frantic and desperate search for him after he goes missing while investigating a story. The narrative focuses on Mariane’s courageous efforts to find her husband working with Pakistani and American authorities in the face of immense uncertainty and danger.

The movie is based on Mariane Pearl’s memoir of the same name. To prepare for the role Jolie met with the real Mariane Pearl to understand her experience and perspective. The film was shot in a documentary-like style to create a sense of realism and urgency. Jolie’s performance was widely praised by critics for its emotional depth and restraint.

‘The Good Shepherd’ (2006)

In this historical drama about the birth of the Central Intelligence Agency Jolie plays Margaret “Clover” Russell the wife of one of the agency’s founding members. Her character is a resilient and observant woman who marries into a world of secrets and deceit. The film traces the life of her husband Edward Wilson from his time at Yale University to his rise as a top CIA operative during the Cold War showing how his dedication to his work takes a heavy toll on their family.

The movie was directed by Robert De Niro and features a large ensemble cast. It provides a sprawling and complex look at the personal sacrifices and moral compromises made by those in the world of espionage. Jolie’s character represents the human cost of the Cold War showing how the secrecy and paranoia of the era affected the lives of families on the home front.

‘The Bone Collector’ (1999)

Jolie plays Amelia Donaghy a young and intuitive patrol cop who is about to transfer to a desk job due to post-traumatic stress. On her last day she discovers a gruesome crime scene which brings her to the attention of a brilliant but quadriplegic forensic criminalist named Lincoln Rhyme. He convinces her to become his eyes and ears on the ground helping him hunt for a sadistic serial killer who is terrorizing New York City.

This crime thriller is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Jeffery Deaver. Jolie stars opposite Denzel Washington who plays the housebound detective. The film’s suspense is built around the unique partnership between the two main characters who must rely on technology and trust to solve the case. It was a commercial success that helped solidify Jolie’s status as a leading actress.

‘Wanted’ (2008)

Angelina Jolie stars as Fox a highly skilled member of a centuries-old secret society of assassins known as the Fraternity. The film follows a frustrated and anxious office worker who is recruited into this hidden world. Fox becomes his mentor training him to unlock his dormant superhuman abilities and become a deadly killer. She teaches him how to curve bullets and perform incredible feats as he learns about the Fraternity’s mission to maintain balance in the world.

The movie is a loose adaptation of the comic book series of the same name. It is known for its highly stylized and gravity-defying action sequences and its dark sense of humor. Jolie’s character is a cool and enigmatic assassin who is completely dedicated to her cause. Her role required extensive physical training for the film’s complex stunts and fight scenes.

‘Gia’ (1998)

In this biographical television film Jolie portrays the tragic life of Gia Carangi one of the world’s first supermodels. The story chronicles her meteoric rise to fame in the late 1970s her struggles with loneliness and addiction and her eventual downfall. The film offers a raw and unflinching look at the pressures of the fashion industry and the personal demons that haunted a young woman who had seemingly achieved everything.

The movie was a breakout role for Jolie and her performance earned her widespread critical acclaim including a Golden Globe Award. It was praised for its powerful and honest depiction of Carangi’s life. The film’s narrative is structured around interviews with people who knew her combined with dramatic reenactments of key moments from her life and career.

‘Maleficent’ (2014)

Jolie takes on the role of the iconic Disney villain from the animated classic ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in this live-action reimagining. The film tells the untold story of Maleficent a powerful and kind-hearted fairy who is driven to darkness after a brutal betrayal. She places a curse on the infant daughter of the king who wronged her but as the child grows up Maleficent finds herself developing a maternal affection for the girl which challenges her desire for revenge.

The movie explores the character’s backstory and motivations offering a more sympathetic and complex portrayal of the famous villain. It was a massive box office success praised for its stunning visuals and for Jolie’s commanding performance in the title role. The film’s success led to a sequel that further explored the relationship between Maleficent and her adopted human daughter Princess Aurora.

‘Girl, Interrupted’ (1999)

In this drama Jolie plays Lisa Rowe a charismatic and rebellious patient at a psychiatric hospital in the late 1960s. The story is told from the perspective of another patient Susanna Kaysen who is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Lisa is a diagnosed sociopath who is both charming and manipulative and she quickly takes Susanna under her wing leading her on a series of defiant adventures within the institution.

The film is based on the memoir of the same name by Susanna Kaysen. Jolie’s powerful and electrifying performance was a critical standout and earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The movie features a strong ensemble cast of female actors and explores themes of mental illness conformity and the search for identity during a turbulent era.

‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)

Angelina Jolie lends her voice to the character of Master Tigress in this animated martial arts comedy. Tigress is the strongest and most disciplined member of the Furious Five a group of elite kung fu warriors who protect their home the Valley of Peace. She is initially resentful when a clumsy and out-of-shape panda named Po is unexpectedly chosen to be the legendary Dragon Warrior. Over time she learns to respect him and they become close allies.

The film was a huge critical and commercial success praised for its humor heart and beautifully rendered animation. Jolie’s voice performance captures the serious and stoic nature of Tigress while also allowing for moments of vulnerability. The popularity of the movie led to two successful sequels and a television series with Jolie reprising her role in the subsequent films.

‘Changeling’ (2008)

In this historical crime drama based on a true story Jolie stars as Christine Collins a single mother in 1928 Los Angeles. When her nine-year-old son Walter goes missing she launches a desperate search. Months later the police announce they have found him but Christine insists the boy they return to her is not her son. When she challenges the authorities she is publicly discredited and committed to a psychiatric ward for her defiance.

The film was directed by Clint Eastwood and is based on the real-life Wineville Chicken Coop Murders. Jolie’s performance was highly acclaimed and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The story is a harrowing look at one woman’s fight against a corrupt and powerful system as she refuses to give up hope of finding her real son.

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