The Friday Five: Anne Hathaway

The Friday Five: 

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway has been a major star since her breakout performance in 2001, and has consistently found top-notch work in films that've received critical acclaim and has always been a major box office draw.  With "Serenity" getting released this week, I focused my Friday Five on my top five favorite Anne Hathaway films.

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#5

Ocean's Eight

Although not a major player in this all-female take on the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise, Anne Hathaway delivers a scene stealing performance as the wealthy, famous Daphne Kluger, who plays the mark for Sandra Bullock's crew.  She plays the ditzy, dim-witted actress wonderfully, and is even given more to work with than some of the other actresses in the film.

#4

 Rachel Getting Married

Although she did some more serious roles before 2008's "Rachel Getting Married," it's this film that firmly set Anne Hathaway apart from her more family-friendly comedies, and it was also the first time she received an Academy Award nomination.  Here Anne Hathaway plays Kym, who arrives for her sister's wedding after repeated stints at rehab, and serves as the black sheep of the family.  Hathaway gives a stirring performance worthy of recognition, and opened the door for more dramatic roles in the future.

#3

 The Princess Diaries

"Shut up!"  Catapulting her into the limelight, "The Princess Diaries" was Anne Hathaway's first movie, and even then you can tell a superstar was born.  Playing Mia Thermopolis, a shy, quiet, average-looking girl, she discovers that her grandmother is the queen of Genovia, and she is the princess.  The film is filled with humor and heart, and along with Hathaway there's great performances by Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo, Mandy Moore and Erik von Detten.

#2

 The Devil Wears Prada

Loosely based off the life of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, "The Devil Wears Prada" features Meryl Streep as the no-nonsense editor-in-chief Miranda, who hires Hathaway's Andy Sachs to be her assistant, despite Andy's lack of sophistication, fashion, or toughness.  The result is a humorous and hilarious pairing in which both actresses (along with Emily Blunt) work beautifully off each other, resulting in a perfect mix of humor and drama.

#1

 Les Miserables

Proving you don't have to be the lead to leave a lasting impression, Anne Hathaway only appeared in the critically acclaimed "Les Miserables" for fifteen minutes, but those fifteen minutes earned her her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.  As prostitute Fantine, Hathaway delivered a compelling, nuanced, and downright memorable performance, culminating in her goosebumps-inducing rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream."