Blake Lively at the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2016 (Photo by taniavolobueva on Shutterstock)
Blake Lively, the American actress who first rose to fame as Serena van der Woodsen in the hit series “Gossip Girl,” has since carved out a diverse and impressive film career. From romantic comedies to intense thrillers, Lively has demonstrated her versatility and acting prowess across various genres. However, recent events have cast a shadow over her public image, sparking debates about celebrity culture and social responsibility.
In recent months, Lively has found herself at the center of media backlash following a series of controversial social media posts and interviews. Critics have accused the actress of insensitivity and tone-deafness regarding important social issues, leading to heated discussions online and in entertainment circles.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding her recent actions, there’s no denying Lively’s impact on the silver screen. In this article, we’ll explore some of Blake Lively’s most memorable film performances, showcasing the talent that has made her a Hollywood standout. From her breakout role in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” to her gripping performance in “A Simple Favor,” we’ll delve into the best Blake Lively movies that have defined her career thus far. Let us know if we missed one in the comments!
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Here are the best Blake Lively movies, according to critics:
1. “The Age of Adaline” (2015)
The most memorable film starring Blake Lively is “The Age of Adaline,” “a 2015 romantic fantasy film about a woman who experienced a fatal car accident and was revived back to life by being struck by lightning. The strange phenomena that occurred caused her to stop aging at the age of 29,” writes Movie Web. “Upon being discovered by two FBI agents attempting to abduct and study her, she escapes and spends the rest of her life on the run, until she finds a true love who makes her stay. Lively stars in The Age of Adeline as Adaline Marie Bowman, aka Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Larson, the main character possessing immortality. For her work in the film, Lively received widespread recognition, accolades, and was nominated at the Teen Choice Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and Saturn Awards.”
Lively’s character is so interesting. Watching her struggle over an issue that many of us would love to experience is crazy. “She has been living alone for decades until she meets Ellis (Michiel Huisman), a man who changes her outlook on life forever. This touching and romantic film shows Blake’s acting range and ability to bring a character to life,” adds Reel Good.
Nearly a decade later, this film still stuns audiences. According to Screen Rant, “The Age of Adaline has found a resurgence of popularity since being added to Netflix this month. The 2015 romance fantasy film has suddenly made it on the list of the streaming service’s top 10 films, proving that Blake Lively’s charm and talent still continue to resonate with audiences.”
2. “CafĂ© Society” (2016)
Well, well, well. Blake Lively doesn’t play a goody two shoes character in this film. “Lively stars opposite Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg in Woody Allen’s film, set in the 1930s, about a Bronx native who moves to Hollywood and falls in love with a young woman who’s seeing a married man,” explains Pop Sugar.
Wait. Is Blakely Lively the woman who is dating a married man in this film? Maybe the reviewer at Web Destination Byte will give us the spoiler. “CafĂ© Society is a romantic comedy-drama tells the story of a young man from the Bronx who moves to Hollywood in search of love and fame. Blake plays Vonnie, a beautiful and sophisticated woman who works in her uncle’s influential movie studio. She and the protagonist Bobby have a secret romance threatened by his ambition and her loyalty to her family.”Â
According to SportsKeeda, “Blake Lively plays Veronica Hayes, the love interest of Bobby, who is already in a relationship with a married man. Lively’s performance as Veronica was both charming and sophisticated, as she portrayed a woman torn between her feelings for Bobby and her loyalty to her partner.” So, Blake Lively plays a homewrecker in this movie? Yes! Way to show your acting range, Blake!
3. “A Simple Favor” (2018)
Friendship, drama, and envy seem to be the central theme of “A Simple Favor.” “Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively star as Stephanie and Emily, respectively. Stephanie is a mommy blogger who is in awe of Emily’s glamorous life — until Emily goes missing and leaves a trail of secrets in her wake,” writes Brit & Co.
Apparently, Blake got really into character to promote “A Simple Favor.” “Blake went all out promoting this film, going so far as deleting all social media and unfollowing everyone, including her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to get people interested in the movie,” writes Marie Claire.
Most friendships have a little bit of drama but in this case, Lively’s character causes enough for a lifetime. “It’s hard to know who to trust when you really want to trust someone simply because you need a friend,” adds TV Over Mind. “Stephanie and Emily however couldn’t be more different, and this seems to draw them together at first, at least until Emily starts acting rather strangely and then just up and disappears. When her body is found floating in a lake an insurance claim made by her husband surfaces and puts a great deal of suspicion on him. When Emily is revealed to have a twin sister that reportedly killed her for reasons all her own things become just a little more erratic as she explains just why she turned everyone’s life upside down.”
4. “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” (2008)
Although this movie is a sequel, for some reason, it is much more popular than the original. According to Movie Web, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is a 2008 comedy-drama film and second installment in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants film series. The film is based on the novel Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood, with storylines incorporated from The Second Summer of the Sisterhood and Girls in Pants. It is about childhood friends completing their first year of college and spending the summer apart. They search for but do not find the missing Pants, but end the summer together in Greece, strengthening their bonds. Lively stars in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 as Bridget Vreeland, the superstar and most daring one in the group of four friends.”
So this friend group is looking for a pair of pants…again? They didn’t find the pants in the first movie? SportsKeeda writes, “The film stars Blake Lively alongside America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, who all reprise their roles as lifelong friends who rely on a magical pair of jeans to keep them connected. In the film, Blake Lively’s character, Bridget, travels to Turkey on an archeological dig to uncover the past of her deceased mother. There, she discovers a newfound love for the history of her family and begins to heal from past traumas. Lively delivers a nuanced and emotionally charged performance as Bridget, bringing depth and vulnerability to the character.”
Magical pants? I can get down with that. A single pair of pants that every last one of your friends can fit, is really magical for sure. “After spending a few years continuing the tradition of sharing the pants, the four best friends start to believe that the magic has dissipated and begin to go their separate ways. When the pants get lost, however, the women come together in order to save their tradition and their friendship,” clarifies Screen Rant.
5. “All I See is You” (2016)
Despite her physical appearance as the quintessential privileged, rich girl, Lively seems to enjoy playing complex characters battling inner demons. “The psychological drama, which Lively considers her best film performance, is a departure from her other film projects. It challenged her to star in almost every scene playing her character, Gina, who’s haunted by an accident that took her sight years earlier,” writes Pop Sugar.
In direct contrast to her loving relationship with her real-life husband, Ryan Reynolds, Blake’s character definitely chose a toxic partner in this film. “Blake’s Gina is haunted by an accident that left her blind, but a brand new operation in Bangkok restores the sight in her right eye. Instead of excitement or relief, she finds that her husband James has nothing but jealousy and insecurity,” says Brit & Co.
Can you imagine going through a tragedy and overcoming it, only to learn that your husband isn’t happy for you? A reviewer from Reel Good teases the issue: “As she adjusts to her new life with sight, Gina begins to uncover shocking secrets about her husband’s past that put their marriage in jeopardy.”
Now that we’ve explored these awesome Blake Lively characters, which one do you think is her best role so far? Leave a comment to let us know!
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