Despite being known as a TV icon, Jennifer Aniston has had a diverse and successful film career. With almost 50 movies under her belt, ranging from romantic comedies to independent films, she has received nominations from various award-giving bodies such as the Golden Globes and the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. Aniston’s relatable neuroticism is often the strongest part of even the poorly-received films she’s been in. Rotten Tomatoes has ranked the top 15 best movies of Aniston based on their watchability, with “Cake” rounding up the list.
Cinelou Releasing’s film, “Cake,” brings to light the difficult reality of chronic pain. Jennifer Aniston’s performance as Claire, a woman struggling with chronic pain following a tragic car accident that claimed her son’s life, earned her critical acclaim and awards season attention. Aniston portrays Claire with a sense of detachment that is uncharacteristic of her usual roles, showcasing her range as an actress. Despite Claire’s gruff exterior, Aniston shows glimpses of vulnerability and warmth underneath. The film also features a talented cast, including Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Chris Messina, and Anna Kendrick, and delves into themes of grief, addiction, and trauma. While undoubtedly one of Aniston’s best films, “Cake” may be difficult to watch due to its heavy subject matter. In contrast, Aniston’s role in “We’re the Millers” showcases her comedic energy and charm.
The 2013 film “We’re The Millers” from Warner Bros. is a hilarious road trip comedy that surpasses expectations. Jennifer Aniston plays the role of Rose O’Reilley, a seductive stripper who showcases her talents in a lengthy striptease routine, which instantly becomes a highlight moment for the movie. It’s one of the few R-rated movies in Aniston’s career, proving that she’s willing to take on any challenge in her timeless career. In fact, she even received a nomination for the “Best Shirtless Performance” category at the MTV Movie Awards after winning an Emmy and achieving TV superstardom. Although “We’re The Millers” may seem like a mediocre comedy, Aniston’s enthusiastic performance alongside a talented cast including Jason Sudeikis, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, and Ed Helms elevates the movie to another level. On the other hand, “Dream for an Insomniac” is another noteworthy film in Aniston’s career.
The fame Jennifer Aniston gained from her iconic role in “Friends” did not quite translate into a sufficient number of leading roles in romantic comedies, which remains a source of frustration. She had the potential to dominate the romcom genre for a decade, but failed to follow in the footsteps of successful actresses like Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts due to a lack of critical success. However, her participation in the 1996 film “Dream for an Insomniac” as the quirky friend was a complete waste of her talents. Although Ione Skye played the actual heroine, a romantic perfectionist who could not sleep, Aniston’s sharp wit and humor captivated audiences. Even though Aniston was stuck in a minor subplot while Skye took center stage in the movie, she was undoubtedly the most captivating part of the largely forgotten film. Moving on to 2010’s “The Switch,” Aniston plays a woman named Kassie who decides to have a child through artificial insemination. Her best friend Wally, portrayed by Jason Bateman, accidentally spills the donor semen and replaces it with his own. Although the premise is a bit ridiculous, Aniston delivers a charming performance that makes the audience root for her character. The chemistry between her and Bateman is undeniable, making the romantic subplot feel believable and heartwarming. Overall, while “The Switch” may not be a groundbreaking romantic comedy, Aniston’s performance elevates it to an enjoyable movie experience.
The Switch, a film produced by Walt Disney Studios in the 2010s, is a remarkable cultural artifact that explores an absurd premise. It is based on a short story by Jeffrey Eugenides about a man who secretly replaces his friend’s sperm donor sample with his own, leading to him becoming the biological father of her child. The original story has a somber and detached tone that focuses on bitterness and regret. However, the film turns it into a conventional romantic comedy with a happy ending and mostly played for laughs. Despite its weighty premise, The Switch garnered positive reviews due to the excellent chemistry between the lead actors, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. They bring their likable personalities honed from sitcoms to create a compelling performance. The movie follows the standard storyline of almost getting the two leads together, then tearing them apart before the end. However, the big reveal is disturbing, and the film largely moves past it to present its premise as funnier than terrifying. Overall, The Switch is an entertaining and fascinating exploration of paternity-based plot contrivances that is worth watching. Another movie, Rock Star, is also noteworthy.
Warner Bros. released a music drama film called “Rock Star” in 2001, which tells the real story of Tim Owens, who became the front man of Judas Priest after Rob Halford left. Mark Wahlberg plays the lead singer of a cover band that gets replaced by a new singer, played by the Third Eye Blind vocalist. However, Wahlberg’s character gets a chance to replace the actual front man of the band he has been covering. Jennifer Aniston appears as Emily Poule, who is Wahlberg’s girlfriend and watches him struggle with the exhausting touring lifestyle, alcohol abuse, and groupies. Although her role may seem relatively insignificant, Aniston livens up the film at times and provides a grounding element to the story. “Rock Star” is an underrated movie that was frequently replayed on VH1 for a decade. Another film by Warner Bros. is “The Object of My Affection.”
Aniston’s inability to become a reliable romantic comedy star may have been due to her overwhelming appeal. Romcoms rely on the premise that the main character struggles to find love, and it may have been difficult for audiences to suspend disbelief when it comes to America’s sweetheart. Despite this, “The Object of My Affection” was one of her better attempts in the genre. However, the film required viewers to accept the idea that Nina, played by Aniston, had such a hard time falling in love that she became infatuated with her gay best friend. While the film succeeded by focusing on the friendship between the characters, it does make one wonder if meeting people before dating apps were really that difficult. Another one of Aniston’s films, “Wanderlust,” will now be discussed.
Universal Pictures In the 2012 comedy “Wanderlust,” Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd play a married couple who stumble upon a hippie commune. This film showcases a more mature Aniston who embraces smaller roles in wackier comedies instead of carrying an entire romantic comedy as the lead. Directed by David Wain, known for “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Role Models,” “Wanderlust” is filled with jokes and is one of Aniston’s more re-watchable movies. While the premise of communal living in “Wanderlust” could have been relevant in the aftermath of the housing crisis, the film prioritizes humor over coherence. However, it does provide a great ensemble showcase for Wain’s former colleagues from “The State,” and Justin Theroux shines in his rare comedic role as the leader of the commune, playing off his real-life relationship with Aniston which was heavily covered in tabloids at the time. Another film in which Aniston starred is “She’s the One.”
“She’s The One,” a 1996 film featuring Jennifer Aniston, only partially captures her magnetic on-screen presence. The movie revolves around two brothers who struggle to remain loyal to one woman, despite having multiple beautiful women in their lives. Aniston portrays Renee, the oblivious wife of one brother who is being cheated on. Her character mainly serves as the voice of reason in a film that explores the dangers of self-centered masculinity. Cameron Diaz plays the role of her husband’s mistress, but it is still difficult to believe that Aniston and her fluffy hair could fall prey to deception. The real standout performance in “She’s the One” comes from John Mahoney, the father from the popular sitcom “Frasier.” He plays the pivotal role of the brothers’ domineering and chauvinistic father, whose regressive opinions have influenced their decision-making. Towards the end of the film, he receives his comeuppance, and his sons finally realize that his advice has been worthless all along. “She’s the One” cleverly subverts gender roles that were prevalent in ’90s movies, making it highly watchable even today. Moving on to another Aniston film, “Marley Me.”
The 2008 film “Marley Me,” which is based on John Grogan’s book, tells the story of a mischievous Golden Retriever named Marley from puppyhood to old age. The movie depicts the challenges of owning a large dog, as well as the inevitable bittersweet ending that comes with having a pet. While the plot is mostly episodic, the film allows Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson to showcase a range of emotions and character growth. The movie stays true to real life, so their marriage doesn’t veer into sitcom-like conflicts or melodramatic twists. Instead, both actors bring nuance to their roles that broad comedies often lack. Like its namesake, “Marley Me” is a playful and energetic film that aims to please.
As we approach the end of our countdown, it becomes clear that Jennifer Aniston’s most successful films are not the ones in which she plays the leading role. Instead, her talent is best utilized in movies that rely on a strong ensemble cast. One such example is the 2013 crime comedy “Life of Crime,” based on Elmore Leonard’s work. The film has a subtle yet captivating style often found in crime movies, and Aniston’s skills as a comedian suit her character – the trophy wife of an indifferent wealthy businessman who is kidnapped for ransom. In classic Leonard fashion, the husband refuses to pay, and Aniston’s character begins to manipulate the kidnappers’ emotions and loyalties as the situation drags on. Other notable cast members include John Hawkes and Yasiin Bey, who plays the same role as Samuel L. Jackson in “Jackie Brown.” Another successful film for Aniston in this category is “Horrible Bosses.”
Looking back at the success of the 2011 comedy “Horrible Bosses,” it’s clear that the film’s unabashed raunchiness sets it apart from many movies made in the following years. The plot meanders from event to event, but the simple premise keeps the ensemble cast engaged and entertaining. The R-rated nature of the film, tailored for mature audiences, struck a chord with viewers who were tired of emotionally-heavy comedy-dramas. Additionally, Jennifer Aniston’s role as Dr. Julia Harris, one of the titular horrible bosses, was a departure from her usual level-headed characters. While her character’s aggressive and suggestive behavior may seem strange in today’s post-“Me Too era,” it allowed Aniston to showcase her range as an actress.
The television show “Friends” featured an episode titled “The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant,” which dealt with the uncomfortable topic of money and how it can affect friendships. This theme is explored in Nicole Holofcener’s 2006 drama “Friends with Money,” which stars Jennifer Aniston as Olive, a woman struggling to make ends meet by cleaning houses. The film takes a patient and wandering approach, much like Holofcener’s other works, and doesn’t offer easy resolutions to conflicts. Aniston is joined by Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, and Joan Cusack, who play a group of friends in Los Angeles more concerned with everyday struggles than just romance. Another noteworthy film featuring Aniston is “The Good Girl.”
The 2002 film “The Good Girl” showcased Jennifer Aniston’s dramatic talent as she portrayed a withdrawn and melancholic makeup counter employee. Aniston’s performance was a departure from her usual exuberant and charming roles, which made her character Justine believable as an introvert seeking to broaden her horizons beyond a small town. Her ill-fated relationship with a younger man played by Jake Gyllenhaal added a layer of complexity to the plot, although his chosen name of “Holden” after “The Catcher in the Rye” was a clear warning sign. Aniston’s portrayal of Justine was so convincing that it made audiences forget they were watching the famous television star. Despite missing out on major awards, “The Good Girl” remains a celebrated gem in her filmography. Another notable film featuring Aniston is “Dumplin’,” which is worth checking out.
Aniston’s performance in the 2018 movie adaptation of “Dumplin'” received high praise from critics, despite not gaining much attention on Netflix. She plays the role of Rosie, a former beauty queen who struggles to connect with her daughter Willadean because she doesn’t fit the typical beauty pageant mold. Willadean rebels by entering the pageant anyway, leading to conflicts and drama. The movie manages to poke fun at beauty pageant culture without being overly cynical, unlike other satires like “Drop Dead Gorgeous.” It strikes a balance between heart and humor, and takes a surprisingly modern approach to an outdated tradition. Willadean is mentored by a group of Dolly Parton drag queens in her quest for the title. Aniston continues to improve and take on more daring roles as time goes on. 2. Aniston shines in her role in the 90s comedy classic “Office Space.”
Aniston’s character in the 1999 comedy “Office Space” may not have had a huge role, but she played a significant part in the film’s lasting popularity. Joanna’s scenes as a mainstream-style restaurant worker serve as a crucial aspect of the movie’s rallying cry against corporate absurdity. The hardships of work and the irrationality of power structures extend far beyond white-collar office jobs. Joanna’s service work story is one of the most memorable displays of this. The scenes where she argues with her boss about the number of “pieces of flair” she wears on her uniform are some of the funniest moments in the film. While Peter takes a sudden Zen approach and stops showing up to work, Joanna has a scene where she triumphantly quits and flips off her boss, providing a cathartic moment for anyone who has ever been employed. By showing Joanna at work and developing her character outside of her relationship with Peter, the film earns its choice to cast Aniston as the optimistic dream girl we all wish we could encounter when work gets us down.