Your mission for this weekend: watch Reese Witherspoon's buzz-worthy performance in Wild, which opens today. The word in Hollywood is the actress is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination. Witherspoon has already taken home one Academy Award — for Walk The Line in 2005 — and she's revving up to claim her second.
To get you psyched for the film — and to honor the star's standing as a bona fide national treasure — we've rounded up 10 of her top film performances. Witherspoon's resume spans far beyond her reign as the the queen of rom-coms. We're talking Tracy Flick. We're talking Becky Sharp. We're talking Vanessa freaking Lutz.
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Click through to see some of Witherspoon's finest work. From small roles with big impact to cult classic performances, the gal's just got it. Respect.
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Freeway, 1996
This cult favorite sees America's Sweetheart playing against type as the potty-mouthed, gun-toting, prison-fighting Vanessa Lutz. Here, she teaches her john a painful and very claustrophobic lesson.
Election, 1999
In which Tracy Flick owns Matthew Broderick's Mr. McAllister. We're scared.
Pleasantville, 1998
Witherspoon schools squeaky-clean mom Joan Allen on the birds and the bees, resulting in one of the greatest taking-care-of-business scenes of all time.
Legally Blonde, 2001
Chutney's perm lands her in jail for murder. We're sure Elle would agree that sporting that 'do was also a criminal offense.
Walk The Line, 2005
Witherspoon's country twang and singing skills won her an Oscar. Here, her June Carter Cash does a charming comedy bit from offstage.
Cruel Intentions, 1999
The funny faces scene hurts our hearts a little. Reese and Ryan 4-EVA.
Vanity Fair, 2004
Social climber Becky Sharp delivers a chilling vocal performance. Bravo.
Fear, 1996
We've never looked at amusement parks the same way again.
American Psycho, 2000
Best breakup scene ever, served up with one final parting shot: "I have to return some videotapes."
The Man in the Moon, 1991
Baby Reese gets her first kiss from everyone's favorite '90s-twin crush, Jason London.
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