Born to Hollywood stars Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, Angelina Jolie was destined for the entertainment industry. Although she first appeared in a film with her father in Lookin’ to Get Out (1982), it wasn’t until her breakout role in Cyborg 2 that she truly launched her career. Known for her roles in blockbusters like Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Salt, Jolie has not only become one of the highest-paid actresses but also a respected filmmaker and a dedicated humanitarian. #shorts: Scary Movies from 2023 That Are Breaking All the Rules!
Jolie, known for her work as a director, has delved into the realm of war films and draws inspiration from her humanitarian efforts, infusing a social awareness into her projects. Her upcoming film, “Without Blood”, starring Salma Hayek and Demian Bichir, is set to explore themes of violence and trauma. While many may only recognize Jolie for her popular projects that brought her global fame, there are several of her lesser-known films that deserve a second look. Here are some overlooked Angelina Jolie movies that deserve a revisit.
Update as of September 30th, 2023, by Danilo Raúl:
This article has been refreshed with additional content to offer a current and engaging discussion, with further details and new additions.
10 Without Evidence (1996)
Experience the range of Angelina Jolie’s early career with the surprising number of thrillers she took on. “Without Evidence,” a film written and directed by Gill Dennis with Phil Stanford’s assistance, sees Jolie alongside Anna Gunn and Scott Plank. The plot follows a Head of Corrections unraveling a corruption scheme involving his colleagues. Before his untimely death, he confides in his brother, who must piece together the clues to crack the case. Jolie shines as Jodie Swearingen, a mysterious character with inside knowledge of the conspiracy.
Discover another intriguing thriller from Jolie’s filmography with “Playing God” (1997).
Buena Vista Pictures presents another early thriller showcasing Angelina Jolie in a more substantial role beyond just being a visual treat. “Playing God” is a gripping movie directed by Andy Wilson and penned by Mark Haskell Smith. Jolie shines as Claire, the girlfriend of a powerful mafia leader who recruits Eugene Sands, a disgraced ex-surgeon who lost his license for a medical mishap. The stellar lineup also includes David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton, and Peter Starmore. Claire’s character becomes pivotal towards the end as she becomes romantically involved with Sands, leading him to make a life-changing decision to leave the criminal world behind.
In the 1996 film “Pushing Tin,” directed by Mike Newell and written by Glen and Len Charles, the unconventional role of Mary Bell is played by Angeline Jolie. She stars alongside Billy Bob Thornton, who plays the character of Russell Bell. The movie showcases a high-stress competition between Thornton’s character and Nick “The Zone” Falzone, portrayed by John Cusak, as they both strive to prove who is the top air traffic controller at the New York TRACON. Interestingly, Jolie and Thornton met on set while filming this movie and realized they were a perfect match as a couple of weirdos.
Initially Entertainment Group.
The saying “truth is stranger than fiction” definitely holds true when you see a young Angelina Jolie paired with an older Danny Aiello in Mojave Moon. Directed by Kevin Dowling and written by Leonard Glasser, this quirky comedy road movie follows Al McCord as he gives a ride to Ellie on a journey to find his mother in the Mojave Desert.
As the story unfolds, Al gets caught up in a strange plot to hide a body and deals with a jealous boyfriend along the way. Despite its oddities and unexpected twists, Mojave Moon is an entertaining film that is sure to keep you engaged, as long as you can overlook some of its more unsettling aspects.
Playing By Heart (1998) is another film worth mentioning from the Initial Entertainment Group catalog.
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Miramax
You may be surprised to learn that Jolie’s filmography in the 1990s included more than just action movies – she also dabbled in comedy dramas. One such film was
Playing By Heart, featuring an ensemble cast including Gillian Anderson, Jolie, Ellen Burstyn, and Sean Connery, among others. The movie follows the interconnected love lives of various characters as their stories unfold. Jolie shines as Joan, a struggling actress searching for a good time. As the narrative progresses, the characters’ lives become increasingly intertwined. If you enjoy films like
Love Actually,
this charming comedy-drama is a must-watch.
Changeling (2008)
Imagine Entertainment brings you “Changeling,” a gripping film directed, produced, and scored by the legendary Clint Eastwood and written by J. Michael Straczynski. This movie is based on the chilling true story of the 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop murders in Mira Loma.
The storyline follows the character Christine Collins, portrayed by the talented Angelina Jolie, who is reunited with her missing son only to be told that he is not actually hers. Despite her protests, she is deemed mentally unstable by the authorities and treated as an unfit mother.
“Changeling” delves into complex themes such as child endangerment and female disempowerment, offering a thought-provoking and emotional viewing experience. If you haven’t had the chance to watch this film yet, we highly recommend adding it to your must-watch list to witness Angelina Jolie’s remarkable and Oscar-nominated performance in this compelling story.
And hey, if you’re looking for more movie recommendations, don’t miss out on the visually stunning “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” released in 2004.
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Filmauro’s
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
, directed by newcomer Kerry Conran, is a sci-fi flick featuring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie in the main roles. The story unfolds before World War II, where a pilot and a journalist join forces to uncover and eliminate the source of robot attacks in New York City. Jolie takes on the role of Commander Francesca “Franky” Cook, piloting a Royal Navy aircraft.
Fresh from her role in
Tomb Raider
, Jolie dedicated three days to filming for the movie. Despite lacking interest from major studios, a team of around 100 digital artists, modelers, animators, and other creatives collaborated to bring the movie’s visuals to life. It was one of the early films to be shot on a digital backlot. Though it didn’t fare well at the box office, it has gained a cult following, praised for its surprising plot twists and distinct visual style.
Next up, Beowulf (2007)
Renowned film studio Paramount Pictures brought us the thrilling action-fantasy film Beowulf, an adaptation of the classic Old English epic poem. Penned by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, this 3D computer-animated movie utilized cutting-edge technology to create its characters through live-action motion-capture CGI animation. The stellar voice cast, featuring talents like Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, and Angelina Jolie, brought this epic tale to life.
Following the journey of the warrior Beowulf as he ventures to Denmark to confront the menacing creature Grendel, the plot delves into themes of bravery and vengeance. Jolie’s portrayal of Grendel’s mother adds depth to the narrative, though her character’s depiction has sparked discussions about over-sexualization in the film. Despite this, Beowulf remains a captivating story that warrants a second look.
In 2008, another hit film from Paramount Pictures, Wanted, captured audiences with its high-octane action and gripping storyline.
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Relativity Media’s action-thriller film, Wanted, directed by Timur Bekmambetov, features a star-studded cast including James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, and Angelina Jolie. Loosely based on a comic book miniseries, the movie follows Wesley, a regular account manager who discovers he is the son of a professional assassin and becomes part of a secret society.
Angelina Jolie portrays Fox, a skilled member of the society tasked with training Wesley. The film received praise for its fast-paced action scenes and engaging ensemble cast. For those craving a revival of the spy romance genre, Wanted is definitely worth a revisit.
1. A Mighty Heart (2007)
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Paramount Vantage’s film adaptation of the 2003 memoir “A Mighty Heart,” directed by Michael Winterbottom, tells the gripping story of Wall Street journalist Daniel Pearl’s kidnapping in Karachi, Pakistan, and his wife Mariane’s desperate search to find him. Starring Dan Futterman and Angelina Jolie in the lead roles, the movie may have not been a box office success but garnered praise from critics for its emotional portrayal of the real-life events. While some criticized Jolie’s casting as a biracial character, she formed a close bond with Mariane Pearl, who supported her role in the film. The poignant and powerful narrative of “A Mighty Heart” is definitely worth a second viewing.