Reese Witherspoon: 10 greatest movies of all time
By Reed Gaudens
10. The Man in the Moon
Original Release Date: The Man in the Moon was released on Oct. 4, 1991 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, marking Reese Witherspoon’s first ever film role at the age of 14.
Box Office Earnings: As a smaller film, The Man in the Moon only brought in a respectable $2.8 million domestic gross for not receiving a wide theatrical release.
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Critical Acclaim: Of course, Witherspoon’s performance was lauded by critics, as the young performer showed nothing but promise in her debut role. Prolific film critic Roger Ebert included The Man in the Moon on his list of the Top 10 films of 1991 at No. 8, stating that director Robert Mulligan’s work remained consistent and honest throughout the story.
About the Role: Witherspoon played Dani Trant, a 14-year-old Louisiana girl coming of age in the summer of 1957. Dani grapples with helping raise her younger sister while her mother’s pregnant and her dad works, all the while dealing with her sister Maureen going to college in the fall and falling in love for the first time. The story takes dramatic and tragic turns, but in the end, Dani learns about the importance of family and sisterhood in the face of loss.
Simply the Best: For a child star taking on such a heavy role for her very first movie, Reese Witherspoon showed up with a gravitas that declared she wasn’t going anywhere. Most young performers would find The Man in the Moon too daunting a task, but our girl never shies away from a challenge. You can’t always claim an actor’s first film as one of their best, yet Witherspoon’s continues to be a highlight of her vast filmography.