Top 5 Projects That Proved Reese Witherspoon’s Dramatic Talent
While we all love her from Legally Blonde, there's no doubt that the actress has proven many times that she is so much more than just a pop icon.
Reese Witherspoon is usually known for her comedic roles, and of course her amazing performance as Elle Woods is the first thing that comes to mind when most of us hear her name.
However, over the years she has proven herself to be a versatile actress capable of delivering deeply emotional and dramatic performances. So here are her 5 projects that showcase her impressive range as a dramatic actress.
1. Wild (2014)
One of Reese Witherspoon's most remarkable dramatic performances came in this Jean-Marc Vallée film. Based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir, Witherspoon plays the real-life Strayed, who embarks on a solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail as a means of healing after the loss of her mother and the breakup of her marriage.
The movie is an intense emotional journey, and Witherspoon's portrayal of a woman struggling with grief, guilt, and self-doubt is extremely powerful. Her performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, proving that she can be a perfect choice for a deeply emotional role.
2. Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
Reese Witherspoon's role as Madeline Mackenzie in HBO's Big Little Lies is another perfect example of how convincing she can be in a dramatic role. Madeline is a complex, multilayered character who has been put in a position where few people would have had the courage to survive and keep their sanity.
Witherspoon's performance in this critically acclaimed series earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations. And, of course, made her one of the show's most popular stars.
“I thought Reese Witherspoon gave a perfect performance as a morally questionable woman who bottles up and hides her emotions. The character could have been very unlikable, perhaps even unwatchable, if played by a different actress. I thought it was amazing character work,” one Redditor said.
3. Fear (1996)
Though Witherspoon's career in the late '90s was largely focused on romantic comedies, Fear stands out as an early indication of her ability to handle much darker plots. In this psychological thriller, she plays Nicole Walker, a teenage girl whose life is put in jeopardy when she falls in love with a charming but obsessive young man, played by the amazing Mark Wahlberg.
Once again, even at such a young age, Witherspoon delivers a convincing performance as a girl caught in a dangerous, even escalating situation.
4. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Although Sweet Home Alabama is often considered a rom-com, Witherspoon's performance in the film has lots of powerful dramatic twists. As Melanie Carmichael, a successful fashion designer who returns to her Southern roots and confronts her past, Witherspoon brings emotional depth to a character struggling with love, identity and her own family.
5. The Morning Show (2019-)
Another amazing show that makes it clear that Reese Witherspoon is an absolute talent. In the role of Bradley Jackson, a rather complicated but extremely ambitious journalist, she manages to bring out a huge range of emotions. Bradley is thrust into the chaos of a news network and caught up in a scandal, and Witherspoon makes sure that she brings it all to the screen.
Her portrayal of a woman navigating the cutthroat media industry and fighting for respect in a male-dominated field is phenomenal.
