Angelina Jolie is a massive star in Hollywood. Everyone knows her name. She’s famous for tackling so many different kinds of roles. Her performances just grab you. They hold your attention. But what specific movies truly launched her? Which ones really highlighted her breakthrough moments? And how did those films shape where she went next? This isn’t just about lists. It’s a deep dive into her journey. We get to see the critical buzz she created. We see how those key points guided her path. She made some fascinating choices.
To really get this, we need to look closely. We’ll check out her big breakthrough parts. We’ll analyze how people reacted to her work. Then, we’ll think about what those experiences meant for her future. By checking out numbers, expert thoughts, and different reviews, we can understand her impact fully. It’s a story of amazing talent meeting opportunity head-on. Honestly, it’s quite a career arc.
Starting Out: Finding Her Place
Angelina Jolie started acting way back. She was really young then. But her first huge breakthrough arrived in 1999. That was thanks to the intense movie *Girl, Interrupted*. This role changed everything for her. It truly did. Jolie played Lisa Rowe in the film. Lisa was a sociopathic patient. She was in a mental health facility. Jolie shared scenes with Winona Ryder. Critics were just blown away by her performance. It was raw. It felt fearless. The movie won her an Academy Award. She got it for Best Supporting Actress. That’s a huge honor. It came early in her career.
A review in *The New York Times* called her portrayal wild. They said it was fearless. It totally stole the movie. To be honest, many critics felt the exact same way. This role marked a real turning point for her. *Girl, Interrupted* brought in over $48 million worldwide. That showed Jolie could attract an audience. I am happy to see that this early success proved she was a serious actress. It paved the way for many important roles later on. She had been in other films before this one. But none got the kind of notice *Girl, Interrupted* did. It also created opportunities for her. She could work with big directors and fellow actors. This really cemented her spot in Hollywood. It became clear she wasn’t going anywhere. She was here to stay. This performance set a high bar. It showed the industry she was capable of depth.
Becoming an Action Icon: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
After the success of *Girl, Interrupted*, Jolie took a new direction. She jumped into action films. Her most famous was *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*. That came out in 2001. This movie was absolutely vital for her career path. It turned her into a global action star. It happened almost overnight. The film made around $274 million around the world. Jolie played Lara Croft. Her performance got mixed reviews from critics.
People often talked about her physical shape for the role. They praised her commitment. For instance, *The Guardian* mentioned her agility. They said she embodied Lara Croft. They noted her charisma was almost supernatural. This role made her known everywhere. It also changed things for women in action movies. Frankly, this was a pivotal moment. Jolie became a symbol of female strength. She took on a genre mostly led by men before. The huge success of *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* created new chances. It opened doors for other women in action parts. It profoundly affected the whole film industry. Studios saw that people wanted strong women leads. This really shifted perspectives in Hollywood. It was a big win for representation.
A Different Kind of Role: A Mighty Heart
Jolie showed her serious acting skills in *A Mighty Heart*. That film came out in 2007. It highlighted her ability to play complex people. In this powerful drama, she played Mariane Pearl. Mariane was married to journalist Daniel Pearl. He was tragically kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan. Critics praised Jolie’s work very highly. *Entertainment Weekly* called it heart-wrenching. They said her performance was powerful.
The movie wasn’t a box office giant. But critics loved it. It earned over $8 million domestically. This film marked a real change in Jolie’s career choices. She started picking more serious projects. Many had social importance. Around this time, Jolie also began her humanitarian work. This is a huge part of her life now. Many people know her for this. This mix of acting and activism is truly inspiring. It shows a growing trend. Actors use their fame for important causes. Jolie became a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Her advocacy work has been talked about widely. *The Los Angeles Times* wrote about it. They said her humanitarian commitment adds depth. It adds to her already impressive career. It’s an interesting blend of worlds.
Box Office Powerhouse: Maleficent
One of Jolie’s biggest hits financially is *Maleficent*. That movie came out in 2014. She played the famous Disney villain. This was a fresh take on the *Sleeping Beauty* story. The reviews were mixed. But they were mostly positive overall. The film brought in over $758 million worldwide. This money confirmed Jolie’s status. She was a major box office star.
Critics mostly loved Jolie’s performance in it. *Variety* said she brought depth. They noted her complex emotional portrayal. It made a character who could have been simple feel deep. This movie let Jolie explore big ideas. Themes like love, betrayal, and forgiveness were central. It showed she could go beyond typical roles. I believe taking this role was smart. It wasn’t just a hit movie. It was a strategic career move. It helped her connect with younger audiences. She also kept her status as a serious actress. The film’s success led to sequel talks. This cemented her place even further in the industry. It was a clever balance of artistry and commerce.
Comparing Reviews Over Time
Looking back at Jolie’s career shows something fascinating. How critics see her has changed. Early films like *Girl, Interrupted* got huge praise. They highlighted her amazing talent. Later movies made tons of money. But sometimes they got more mixed reviews critically.
Take *Maleficent* as an example. It made huge profits. But some critics felt her dramatic roles had more depth. This makes you think about what audiences expect. Do people see her more as a commercial star now? Is she viewed less as a serious actress? Numbers seem to back this up a little. Her movies still earn big money globally. But the critical love has bounced around. *Rotten Tomatoes* shows her films have an average score. It’s around 60% over her career. Her earlier work scored higher. This suggests a complex link. There’s a relationship between box office success and critical appreciation. [Imagine] a world where every piece of art needed to be a giant commercial hit. It makes you pause. It makes you really think about the pressures artists face.
People have different opinions on this, of course. Some might argue that doing commercial roles proves her flexibility. It shows she can bring in huge crowds. Others argue that true art comes from challenging projects. Those are the ones critics often praise. Maybe the change shows a choice by Jolie herself. She might want to balance artistic goals with wider influence. Honestly, it’s a tough balancing act for any artist. It’s no secret that making art and making money can be tricky partners.
What Comes Next? The Future
It’s really exciting to [imagine] what Angelina Jolie will do next. She has such incredible talent. Her humanitarian work is so deep. She can absolutely keep influencing the film world. People want to see more stories led by women today. Jolie is in a perfect spot to help lead this.
Experts often think we’ll see her directing more films. She has directed already. Her work behind the camera has gotten praise. Think about *First They Killed My Father*. That came out in 2017. It was nominated for several awards. It showed her commitment to telling important stories. I am excited to follow her career path. She mixes acting, directing, and activism expertly.
The future of movies is moving towards more diverse voices. It’s becoming more inclusive. Jolie’s involvement could really help this happen. We need to support diverse stories. We need to lift up new filmmakers. Her journey shows how powerful storytelling can be. It can truly change how people see the world. It can impact lives. We need to take action by supporting films that challenge us. Let’s work together to make cinema reflect everyone.
FAQs and Some Common Myths
Here are some common questions. We’ll also bust a few myths about Angelina Jolie’s career.
What film won Angelina Jolie an Oscar?
She earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This was for her powerful role in *Girl, Interrupted*.
Has she ever directed movies?
Yes, she has directed several films. *First They Killed My Father* got excellent reviews.
How did her humanitarian work affect her acting?
Her work with people in need adds layers to her public image. It influences her choice of roles and projects now.
What was Angelina Jolie’s first major movie?
Her first big film was *Hackers* in 1995. But *Girl, Interrupted* was her critical breakthrough film.
Which of her movies made the most money?
*Maleficent* is currently her highest-grossing film. It made over $758 million worldwide.
Does Angelina Jolie also produce films?
Yes, she has produced many movies. She often produces the ones she directs.
Is she still acting very often these days?
She acts less frequently now. She focuses more on directing and her humanitarian efforts.
What kind of roles does she seem to prefer now?
She appears to choose roles with deeper meaning. Many relate to social or political issues.
Myth: Angelina Jolie only takes action roles.
This isn’t true at all. While famous for action, she gives amazing dramatic performances too. *A Mighty Heart* is a great example of this.
Myth: Her humanitarian work is just for public relations.
That’s another myth. She has spent years dedicated to this work. She works closely with the UNHCR. Her commitment seems truly real.
Does she have an honorary degree?
Yes, she received an honorary doctorate degree. This was for her work in international relations.
How did her family history impact her career start?
Her father, Jon Voight, is an actor. This gave her early exposure to the film industry world.
Has she ever written movie scripts?
Yes, she has writing credits on some films. This includes *First They Killed My Father*.
Has she won other major awards besides the Oscar?
Yes, she has won multiple Golden Globes. She has also won Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Is she involved in any film production companies?
Yes, she has her own production company. It’s called Jolie Pas.
What is her approach to choosing roles now?
It seems she looks for projects that align with her values. She seeks stories with substance.
Conclusion: A Career of Key Moments
To sum it all up, the reviews and moments highlighting Angelina Jolie’s breakthrough roles have shaped her path dramatically. From her early, raw performance in *Girl, Interrupted* to powerful portrayals in *A Mighty Heart* and her huge success with *Maleficent*, Jolie keeps evolving. She manages to mix commercial hits with critically praised work. That ability is a real sign of her talent. She handles both sides with a certain grace.
As she keeps growing as an artist and filmmaker, I believe we will see more groundbreaking work from her. Her impact goes beyond just being on screen. She truly inspires a new generation. She motivates actors and filmmakers alike. [Imagine] the lasting mark she is making on culture and advocacy. It’s quite the sight to behold.
