Girl, Interrupted

Though Angelina Jolie played a supporting role of the sociopathic Lisa Rowe in ‘Girl, Interrupted’, the film marked Jolie’s breakthrough in Hollywood in a big way. The film was based on writer Susanna Kaysen`s account of her 18-month stay at a mental hospital in the 1960s. Susanna Kaysen’s role was performed by Winona Ryder.

Gone in 60 Seconds

Released in 2000, Jolie said to tabloid that ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ was a welcome relief after the emotionally heavy role of Lisa Rowe played by her ‘Girl, Interrupted’. The high octane action flick went on to become her highest grossing movie up until then, earning $237 million internationally. In the lead starred Nicholas Cage of whose Jolie was an ex-girlfriend with a lethal talent.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

The film ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ made Angelina Jolie an international superstar. An adaptation of the popular Tomb Raider videogame, Jolie had to undergo extensive martial arts training to play the title role of Lara Croft.

Original Sin

Post the success of Lara Craft, Jolie then starred opposite Antonio Banderas as his mail-order bride in ‘Original Sin’, a thriller based on the novel Waltz into ‘Darkness’ by Cornell Woolrich.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life

Jolie reprised her role as Lara Croft in ‘Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life’ in 2003. The sequel, while not as lucrative as the original, earned $156 million at the international Box Office. A magazine once wrote that Angelina Jolie was born to play Lara Croft.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Jolie was next noted in action-comedy ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’. The film released in 2005 was directed by Doug Liman. It tells the story of a bored married couple, John and Jane Smith, who find out that they are both secret assassins. Jolie starred opposite Brad Pitt and it was rumoured that during the shooting of this film romance blossomed between Jolie and Pitt, which till date is going strong.

A Mighty Heart

In ‘Mighty Heart’, Jolie starred as Mariane Pearl, wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl. Filmed in Pune, India, the film was based on Mariane Pearl`s memoir of the same name.

Kung Fu Panda

Jolie provided the voice of Master Tigress in the DreamWorks animated movie ‘Kung Fu Panda’ released in 2008. With revenue of $632 million internationally, it became her highest grossing film of the year.

Wanted

Jolie co-starred alongside James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman in the 2008 action movie Wanted, an adaptation of a graphic novel by Mark Millar. The film received predominately favorable reviews and proved to be an international success, earning $342 million worldwide.

Changeling

Jolie portrayed Christine Collins in Clint Eastwood`s drama ‘Changeling’, which had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was based on the true story of a woman in 1928 Los Angeles who is reunited with her kidnapped son—only to realize he is an impostor.

Salt

A CIA agent goes on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Jolie has been shown as an eponymous character in the 2010 thriller ‘Salt’. As the action flick hit the marquee, tabloids were unanimous with their views that when it comes to selling incredible, crazy, death-defying antics, Jolie has few peers.

The Tourist

‘The Tourist’ revolves around Frank played by versatile actor Johnny Depp who’s an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Enters in his life an extraordinary woman named Elise played by Angelina Jolie, who deliberately crosses his path, eventually spicing the chemistry much to the audiences’ pleasure.

By Bikas Bhagat