Top 5 Underrated Reese Witherspoon Roles

Reese Witherspoon is one of those actresses that we all know and love. She has the Southern charm that makes you feel comfortable when you meet her, she has a welcoming smile, and she plays roles that make you feel like you are seeing your best friend. Many people know her as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, or her award winning role as June Carter-Cash in Walk the Line but there are a few roles that she has played that definitely deserve attention. To celebrate this wonderful woman and her success, here are her top 5 underrated roles.

5. Lauren in This Means War (2012)

From an underrated movie in general, Lauren is a girl who finds herself caught between two guys (played by Chris Pine and Tom Hardy). She dates both of them simultaneously and has to make a choice between the two of them. This movie definitely shows off her comedy, and the character shows the female perspective of dating more than one person, which is something that is very rarely touched upon especially in a non-negative light. She has chemistry with both of the men, and in the end she has to choose which one will work best for her. Funny movie, and perfect for a girl's night in.

4. Annie from Penelope (2006)

She isn't the star of the movie, but her turn as Annie in Penelope was still interesting. Her character had a lot of attitude and sass, while helping the title character find new adventures in life outside of her sheltered existence. She was a great friend and perfect support in a wonderful fairytale.

3. Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

Oh Cecily, sweet and innocent in a sea of trickery and mistaken identities. A hopeless romantic, all she wants is Earnest to sweep her off her feet and to marry him. She seems a little off her rocker, even having concocted a fight between her and "Earnest" in her head, but she is so young and naive that you just want to hold her tight and be her Earnest.

2. Jennifer in Pleasantville (1998)

In a shocking turn, Reese actually plays a "bad girl" in this movie, a popular girl who is too cool for her brother but gets sucked into a tv program with him which places them straight into the 1950s where women were just expected to stay in the kitchen, and a kiss was as chaste as it got. While she is the catalyst for the beginning of the change of the lifestyle, she herself changes and finds that there is more to her than just her looks and her popularity. It's a fun role, and definitely an interesting film to watch.

1. Melanie Carmichael/Smooter in Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

One of the best romantic comedies of all time in my opinion, Melanie is a girl that ran away from home to make a life for herself in the big city. When she gets engaged, and everything that she could possibly wish for seems to be lining up perfectly, she has to return home to get the divorce papers signed by her ex husband.

Melanie is a flawed character. She ran from her problems instead of facing them head on and she let things go too far without thinking of the consequences. However, she has a bite and edge to her, while keeping that "southern belle" charm. Her relationship with both of the men are relatable in some ways, and for anyone who grew up in a small town and went to the big city it probably would look like a familiar story. Melanie is the most down to earth character on this list, with all of her fame and fortune, and she is definitely a memorable character.