Hey, all! In this edition of “Spilling the Tea With Tootsie,” I need to confess my love for actress Reese Witherspoon’s movies.
Is there any person on earth who doesn’t find her endearing and a joy to watch?
I’ll list my top 10 best Reese Witherspoon films to date. Let’s get into it.
(Warning: Spoilers ahead)
The Top 10 Best Reese Witherspoon Movies
10. “Just Like Heaven” (2005)
Not a typical standout in the Reese Witherspoon catalog, “Just Like Heaven” is a cute film. This movie has Witherspoon as a recently passed woman who then appears to her apartment’s tenant, played by Mark Ruffalo. The chemistry between the two actors brings out both humor and depth. Adding to the comedy is actor Jon Heder, in the supporting cast.
If you’re looking for a fun and enjoyable watch, check this one out.
9. “Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde” (2003)
The sequel to the standout “Legally Blonde” (2001) continues the journey of Witherspoon’s iconic Elle Woods. She discovers that her dog Bruiser’s mom is being used in cosmetic testing, so she sets off to propose “Bruiser’s Bill” in Washington, D.C.
Despite being discounted by all the politicians around her, Woods once again proves that her perseverance pays off. This is yet another fun film from the Witherspoon catalog, and viewers can’t help but be captivated by her portrayal of Elle Woods once again.
8. “The Good Lie” (2014)
Now, the film “The Good Lie” is one that maybe not too many people have even heard of. Witherspoon plays a woman who is tasked with helping three Sudanese refugees find employment in the U.S. These refugees fled the Sudanese Civil War and came to the U.S. They become separated from their sister, who is back in Sudan.
Not only does Witherspoon’s character assist with procuring them jobs, but she also assists with getting their sister to the U.S. Throughout this film, Witherspoon’s capacity for compassion strikes through and shines a light on the human spirit.
7. “Wild” (2014)
“Wild” is a movie based on Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 memoir. Witherspoon portrays Strayed’s solo trek on the Pacific Crest Trail. Departing on this journey after losing her mother and her marriage falling apart, Strayed attempts to find herself out on the trail. Not only is the trail itself arduous, but the mental war she’s fighting hits poignantly. In this role, Witherspoon encapsulates the struggle and vulnerability of this self-discovery journey with precision.
6. “Cruel Intentions” (1999)
“Cruel Intentions” is a teenage romantic drama that stars actor Ryan Phillippe (who Witherspoon married shortly after the movie premiered). In this flick, Phillippe’s Sebastian is a sex-crazed, spoiled rich boy who is motivated by sexual conquests. Hearing about Annette, who strongly opposes sex before falling in love, Sebastian is determined to seduce her. This becomes a challenge with his stepsister Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who agrees to sleep with Sebastian if he succeeds in seducing Annette.
Though it received mixed reviews, this movie was commercially successful and helped put Witherspoon on the map.
5. “Election” (1999)
Another movie that helped put Witherspoon on the map was “Election.” She plays Tracy Flick, an overachieving high school student who runs for student body president. Opposing her in the campaign are siblings Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell) and Paul Metzler. Paul, played by Chris Klein, was convinced to run by teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), who despises Flick and doesn’t want her to win. He ends up sabotaging the election, tilting it in Paul’s favor.
This dirty deed was inevitably found out, and Flick wins the presidency. Witherspoon plays Flick with indignant tenacity, determined to get what she wants.
4. “Four Christmases” (2008)
“Four Christmases” can often be found playing on TV stations throughout the holiday season. It stars Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn as a couple who try to avoid spending Christmas with their parents by planning a trip to Fiji. The couple’s flights are canceled due to weather, and their parents find out they are stuck at home for the holidays.
This movie follows this couple traveling to four different parents in one day to spend Christmas. An enjoyable comedy ensues as these two interact with a wide variety of family members, including actors Jon Voight, Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen and Sissy Spacek as their parents.
3. “Walk the Line” (2005)
A tour de force for Reese Witherspoon in her repertoire of movies is 2005’s “Walk the Line,” in which she plays the iconic June Carter Cash. Joining her on this journey is Joaquin Phoenix as the inimitable Johnny Cash. This movie follows the story of this famed musical couple through Cash’s rise in the music industry and his trials with addiction.
Witherspoon proves she’s more than a rom-com sweetheart with this role, snagging the Academy Award for Best Actress. Depicting the authentic June Carter Cash feistiness throughout the movie, Witherspoon’s performance here is one to be lauded.
2. “Legally Blonde” (2001)
One cannot talk about Reese Witherspoon without the mention of “Legally Blonde” and her portrayal of one-of-a-kind Elle Woods. In this film, Woods attempts to win back her boyfriend, Warner (Matthew Davis), by getting into Harvard Law School. Warner believes she isn’t “serious” enough to be with him as he is intent on becoming a senator.
Proving she can accomplish the same things he can, Woods gets into law school and then gets hired on as an intern for a high-profile case, along with Warner and his new girlfriend, Vivian (Selma Blair). Woods continues proving herself by solving the case with her whip-smart intuition.
Witherspoon, with her Elle Woods character, shows that one can rise above other’s perceptions and can achieve success by staying true to themselves.
1. “Sweet Home Alabama” (2002)
Crowning the top of my best Reese Witherspoon films is 2002’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” I can’t come across this movie playing without stopping to watch it. This movie starts with Witherspoon’s Melanie as a fashion designer in New York, getting engaged to wealthy Andrew Hennings, played by Patrick Dempsey. Andrew’s mother, Kate, played by Candice Bergen, has her suspicions about Melanie and whether she’s good enough to marry her son. Melanie needs to return back home to Alabama to finalize her divorce from Jake (Josh Lucas), whom she married as a pregnant teenager. After miscarrying the baby, Melanie fled home and Jake.
But being back home now, old memories surface, and Melanie realizes she still loves Jake. And basically, it’s happily ever after as they reunite. Witherspoon pairs southern sweetness with headstrong stubbornness, making her character here both endearing and relatable to watch. As sappy, predictable rom-coms go, this is one of the very best, and I absolutely enjoy watching it.
Here you go with my latest “Spilling the Tea with Tootsie” on the top 10 Reese Witherspoon movies. Did I miss any of your favorite Witherspoon movies? Would you have ranked any of these differently? Hit me up @tootsiepop6 on Twitter and let me know!
