Honor the late Brittany Murphy with these iconic movies
With an upcoming documentary focusing on the mystery surrounding Brittany Murphy’s death, we’re taking a look at some of her most iconic movies. Murphy’s acting career had really taken off when she tragically died at age thirty-two. Many are familiar with her breakthrough role as Tai in Clueless, a 1995 adaptation of the Jane Austen classic novel Emma.
Her career momentum continued throughout the rest of the nineties, with roles in movies like these two 1999 releases: Drop Dead Gorgeous & Girl, Interrupted. By the time the 2000s rolled in, she was a prominent Hollywood actor. Some notable roles from that time in her career were in 8 Mile (2002), Uptown Girls (2003), and Sin City (2005).
On December 20th, 2009, paramedics were called to Brittany Murphy’s home in Los Angeles, California. She had collapsed and lost consciousness. The paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she died of a heart attack at only thirty-two years old. The official cause of death is pneumonia, but she was also found to have a combination of legal drugs in her system that many feel may have contributed to her death.
Though her tragic death cut her life far too short, her spirit & talent live on through her work. Here are some of our favorite Brittany Murphy movies.
Clueless (1995)
One of Brittany Murphy’s first movies that we’re going to recommend is Clueless (1995). The movie, written and directed by Amy Heckerling, is a modern adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Emma. Murphy co-stars alongside Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Paul Rudd. The film did well when it was released, and has since developed a cult following.
Clueless offers a hilarious & self-aware take on its own genre. While poking fun at teen romances, it manages to be one of the best ones (even if the main character ends up with her ex-step-brother, which is still a little weird). Murphy’s character Tai is the modern version of Harriet Smith, the pretty yet socially inept new girl who Cher (the modern Emma), takes under her wing.
Murphy’s humor & lovability really shine through as Tai. One of Tai’s most iconic scenes in the movie is when she angrily calls Cher “a virgin who can’t drive”, which Murphy later hilariously confessed to being at the time she shot the scene. If you’re a Brittany Murphy fan, you’ve got to check out her performance in Clueless.
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) is a mockumentary about a beauty pageant taking place in a small town. The cast would be considered all-star today, but at the time, not all of the actors were quite as well-known. Brittany Murphy’s co-stars included Kirsten Dunst, Allison Janney, Kirstie Alley, Denise Richards, & Amy Adams. Fans of dark comedy will likely enjoy this niche little film.
Today, much like Clueless, Drop Dead Gorgeous has developed a cult following. Audiences today appreciate the movie more than they did when it first came out. The movie’s rather off-beat humor might be considered ahead of its time.
Uptown Girls (2003)
Brittany Murphy stars in Uptown Girls, playing a young woman somewhat out of touch with reality due to her wealthy upbringing. She shares most of her scenes with a then nine-year-old Dakota Fanning. The movie didn’t receive great reviews, but we’re here to advocate for this great piece of 2000s memorabilia. The fashion, particularly what’s worn by Murphy in the movie, is part of what makes the movie so memorable.
Sin City (2005)
Sin City (2005) is a movie made up of a series of vignettes that take place in a fictional city where women are exclusively referred to as “dames” & every man owns a gun. It’s ridiculous, sometimes offensive, and mostly pretty fun. Brittany Murphy plays Shellie, a young woman who needs protection from her abusive ex. The movie is hyper-stylized & hyper-sexualized, and Murphy gives a standout performance.
Other cast members include Jessica Alba, Alexis Bledel, Rosario Dawson, Benicio del Toro, Michael Madsen, Nick Offerman, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, and Elijah Wood. The movie was directed by Frank Miller & Robert Rodriguez and was based on Miller’s graphic novels.
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What’s your favorite Brittany Murphy performance? Do you prefer her comedic or dramatic roles? Drop your favorite Brittany Murphy movie/scene/character in the comments!
