Ever since I can remember, Reese Witherspoon has been a big inspiration for me. In her career, she has acted in many films, started her own company, and produced award-winning movies and TV shows. Her company, Hello Sunshine, works to put women at the center of film and literature. This article will be highlighting my top seven Reese Witherspoon movies.
1. Wild (2014)
Based on a true story, Reese portrays a woman named Cheryl Strayed who decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in order to cope with the loss of her mother (Laura Dern) and her recent divorce. Throughout the movie, you see Cheryl struggle with different aspects of her journey (dehydration, finding camp, etc.). This movie interests me because you see a woman go through hardships that you would typically see a man go through in a movie. Fun Fact: not only did Witherspoon act in Wild, she also produced it as well.
2. The Man in the Moon (1991)
I had to put this one on the list because this movie introduced the world to the lovely Reese Witherspoon. Man in the Moon tells the story of 14-year-old Dani Trant as she navigates the highs and lows of her first love with 17-year-old Court Foster. It also touches on themes of family love. This is the kind of movie that makes you feel good but also makes you cry.
3. Legally Blonde (2001)
Probable one of the most well-known comedies of the 2000s. In this movie, Reese Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, a woman who was recently dumped by her college sweetheart because she is too blonde. So she decides to enroll at Harvard Law School to appear to be more intelligent and worthy for her ex-beau. But she realizes that there is more to Harvard than winning her ex back. This movie taught me not to let societal norms get the best of you and prove your doubters wrong.
4. Pleasantville (1998)
This movie is about a brother and sister (Tobey Macguire and Reese Witherspoon) who are transported into the 1950s TV Show, Pleasantville. The longer they are stuck in the TV show, things start to take a turn for the citizens of Pleasantville. This is one of my favorite Reese Witherspoon movies because it tackles ideas of race and gender norms.
5. Big Little Lies (2017)
This is another project produced by Reese Witherspoon. Based on the book of the same name written by Liane Moriarty, this series is about a group of wealthy mothers living idyllic lives in Monterey, California. Throughout the show, we see these women go through various dramatic situations which lead up to the night a murder is commited. I love how Witherspoon and her fellow actresses explore different themes of womanhood (i.e. relationships, motherhood, independence, and sexual assault).
6. Home Again (2017)
Witherspoon plays Alice Kinney, a newly divorced mother who decides to move back to her home in LA with her daughters. While she is adjusting to her new life, Alice meets young filmmakers Harry, George, and Teddy. She allows the three guys to stay in her guesthouse and they help change her family’s life for the better. This is a feel-good movie that teaches viewers that the road to happiness may be long, but with great people by your side, the journey is easier.
7. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Last, but certainly not least, is my all-time favorite Reese Witherspoon movie! In this 2002 rom-com, fashion designer Melanie Carmicheal (a.k.a. Melanie Smooter) has everything going for her: a successful career, a good life in NYC, and an engagement to the mayor’s son. But before she can get married, she has to go back home to Alabama and fix some loose ends with her past, one of which is divorcing her childhood sweetheart Jake (Josh Lucas). What makes this movie my favorite is that it teaches you that your past is a part of what makes you who you are.
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