The Friday Five: Renee Zellweger

The Friday Five: 
Renee Zellweger

Renee Zellweger has had a stellar career for decades, but most recently underwent shocking face surgery that almost makes her unrecognizable from her previous work.  She took some time off the big screen but is returning as the famed singer/actress Judy Garland in the biopic "Judy," and I decided to list my five favorite Renee Zellweger films.







**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**






#5
 Nurse Betty
In this quirky comedy, Renee Zellweger plays Betty, a mild-mannered waitress in Kansas who suffers from PTSD after a traumatic event and sets out to marry the love of her life - a soap opera star who plays a doctor on television.  As she tries to live out this fantasy, she's also hunted by a duo of killers who are completely inept at their jobs, resulting in a laugh-out-loud comedy adventure featuring strong performances by Zellweger, Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, Greg Kinnear and Aaron Eckhart.











#4
 Jerry Maguire
In this classic romantic comedy, Renee Zellweger plays Dorothy Boyd, a woman who leaves her job when her friend Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) gets fired, and sets out to aid his new venture of being an independent sports agent for his one client.  The result is a tender, humorous, and deeply heartfelt film with now-iconic lines and tremendous acting from everyone involved.











#3
 Cold Mountain
The film that earned Renee Zellweger her first Academy Award, "Cold Mountain" tells the story of a wounded Confederate deserter during the Civil War who tries to make his way home to the woman he loves.  Jude Law and Nicole Kidman give terrific performances, but it's Zellweger's character who steals the show as Ruby, who assists Kidman's Ada as she waits for her love to return, and it's no surprise she earned not just the Academy Award for her performance, but also the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTA awards as well.











#2
 Bridget Jones's Diary
In her most iconic role, Renee Zellweger plays Bridget Jones, a 30-something woman who sets out to re-define herself by keeping a diary, and the stories of her life far exceed anything you'd find in fiction.  Caught between two men, she must make a decision to be with the bad boy who's good for her, or the good guy who could be bad for her, resulting in several hilarious and heartfelt moments.  The film earned Zellweger a shocking Academy Award nomination (since they're very rare for comedies), and her performance shows why she was able to defy expectations and give a career-beginning performance.











#1
 Chicago
In this film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Renee Zellweger plays Roxie Hart, a wannabe sultry singer who kills her lover and finds herself in an all-female prison with her idol, jazz singer Velma Kelly.  The two women strike up a friendship and rivalry that escalates throughout the film, culminating in several shocking moments and standout musical numbers with stunning choreography.  Zellweger once again earns an Academy Award nomination for her role, and the result is a classic throwback to the Jazz era with catchy songs and compelling performances from a stellar cast.


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