WCW: Julia Roberts

More known for her romantic modern roles than anything else, Julia Roberts still has a fair number of historical roles under her belt. Let’s take a look!

Blood Red (1989)

Hard to imagine a time when Julia Roberts was the less famous of the Roberts siblings. But it’s true. In 1989, right before Julia’s career exploded with *Pretty Woman*, she was a supporting character in this film starring her older brother, Eric, about a Sicilian family living in 1890s California trying to make wine while the local robber baron makes life hell for them.

Mary Reilly (1996)

A retelling of Jekyll & Hyde from the point of view of a maid who has to deal with the psychological punishment of an unhinged rich man. Directed by Stephen Frears, the film is also notable for pairing up John Malkovich and Glenn Close once more.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2003)

Julia gets some banger costumes in this film about game show host (and CIA operative? Maybe?) Chuck Barris (played by the always amazing Sam Rockwell). Julia plays CIA operative Patricia Watson and has a wardrobe of fabulous 1960s-1970s spy chic couture.

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

Yes, *Charlie Wilson’s War* is set after our cut-off date of 1969, however I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that it has some wonderfully excessive late-1970s/early-1980s high fashion being worn by Julia.

Mirror Mirror (2012)

Technically, it’s a fantasy film based on the Snow White fairytale and the costumes, while following historical lines, are 100% over the top fantastic. That’s because they’re designed by Eiko Ishioka, who was known for her incredible ability to adhere to historical silhouettes while doing absolutely bonkers things with them.

Gaslit (2022)

Another film that falls beyond our 1969 cut-off, but has to be mentioned because the costuming is a fantastic example of early-1970s realness. *Gaslit* is a miniseries about the Watergate scandal, with Julia Roberts as “The Mouth from the South” Martha Mitchell, the wife of Nixon’s Attorney General, who has a penchant for talking to the press.

Do you have a favorite historical film featuring Julia Roberts? Tell us in the comments!

More Frock Flicks

7 thoughts on “WCW: Julia Roberts”

I can’t be the only one thinking Mr Eric Roberts is just ANNOYINGLY handsome in that first photograph – I mean, congratulations on your facial good fortune, but could you please allow we lesser mortals a chance to match you? (I don’t know, wear a dodgy hairdo or a false moustache or something you escapee from a Romance novel cover you!).

I still think Mirror Mirror is the best Snow White film in existence. And Mona Lisa Smile is a guilty pleasure; I especially love Kirsten Dunst’s bitchy ice queen since it’s such an against-type character for her.

ED says:

February 27, 2025 at 3:59 am

I share your opinion on MIRROR MIRROR – it’s quite a lot of fun, to say the least.

Reply

I’ve only seen Mona Lisa Smile out of these films, and as a former Art History lecturer, I found it a bit cringe. I think I must be the only person who doesn’t care for Eiko. I know when I was a student, some of my classmates were going bananas for her work in Dracula, but personally, her work falls into my too much is too much category. I suppose I’m not a huge JR fan either.

This post proves that I’m definitely a fan of Julia Roberts’s contemporary work because I’ve only seen one of these movies in full (Mary Reilly) despite knowing of all the rest except the early career one with her brother. I couldn’t finish Mirror, Mirror nor Mona Lisa Smile. Having said that, I think that Julia Roberts is a very good actress and heart-stoppingly beautiful in anything, even a burlap sack!!

ED says:

February 27, 2025 at 4:02 am

Ms. Roberts is one of those unusual beauties who can fool you into thinking her quite plain (or least completely unremarkable in terms of facial features) … but only so long as she doesn’t smile.

With that smile she goes from “That’s nice” to “Holy Moley!” at the actual speed of light.

Reply

Gaslit, go see it. Now!

ED says:

February 26, 2025 at 10:18 am

I can’t be the only one thinking Mr Eric Roberts is just ANNOYINGLY handsome in that first photograph – I mean, congratulations on your facial good fortune, but could you please allow we lesser mortals a chance to match you? (I don’t know, wear a dodgy hairdo or a false moustache or something you escapee from a Romance novel cover you!).

Kat says:

February 26, 2025 at 12:53 pm

I still think Mirror Mirror is the best Snow White film in existence. And Mona Lisa Smile is a guilty pleasure; I especially love Kirsten Dunst’s bitchy ice queen since it’s such an against-type character for her.

1. ED says:
  
  February 27, 2025 at 3:59 am
  
  I share your opinion on MIRROR MIRROR – it’s quite a lot of fun, to say the least.
  
Beth says:

February 26, 2025 at 6:31 pm

I’ve only seen Mona Lisa Smile out of these films, and as a former Art History lecturer, I found it a bit cringe. I think I must be the only person who doesn’t care for Eiko. I know when I was a student, some of my classmates were going bananas for her work in Dracula, but personally, her work falls into my too much is too much category. I suppose I’m not a huge JR fan either.

Lily Lotus Rose says:

February 26, 2025 at 10:06 pm

This post proves that I’m definitely a fan of Julia Roberts’s contemporary work because I’ve only seen one of these movies in full (Mary Reilly) despite knowing of all the rest except the early career one with her brother. I couldn’t finish Mirror, Mirror nor Mona Lisa Smile. Having said that, I think that Julia Roberts is a very good actress and heart-stoppingly beautiful in anything, even a burlap sack!!

1. ED says:
  
  February 27, 2025 at 4:02 am
  
  Ms. Roberts is one of those unusual beauties who can fool you into thinking her quite plain (or least completely unremarkable in terms of facial features) … but only so long as she doesn’t smile.
  
  With that smile she goes from “That’s nice” to “Holy Moley!” at the actual speed of light.
  
Heather says:

February 28, 2025 at 7:34 am

Gaslit, go see it. Now!