Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Jane Smith in the 2005 action-comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a testament to her versatility and star power. The film, directed by Doug Liman, follows a married couple, played by Jolie and Brad Pitt, who are both secret assassins hired to kill each other. The movie’s unique blend of action, comedy, and romance, combined with the palpable chemistry between its two leads, made it a standout film in the action genre.
A Dynamic and Charismatic Performance
Jolie’s performance as Jane Smith blends strength, wit, and vulnerability, making her character compelling. She delivers action-packed sequences with precision while maintaining an effortless charm that keeps the audience engaged. Her ability to shift between intense fight scenes and comedic, lighthearted moments demonstrates her impressive range as an actress.
Critics praised her ability to balance action and emotion. According to Ebert (2005), “What makes the movie work is that Pitt and Jolie have fun together on the screen and they’re able to find a rhythm that allows them to be understated and amused even during the most alarming developments.” This chemistry between the leads was a key factor in the film’s success.
Critical and Commercial Success
Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, Mr. & Mrs. Smith was a box office hit, grossing over $478 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo, 2005). Audiences were drawn to the film not only for its thrilling action sequences but also for the dynamic relationship between its protagonists.
A review from the Star Tribune (2005) noted that “While the story feels haphazard, the movie gets by on gregarious charm, galloping energy, and the stars’ thermonuclear screen chemistry.” The film’s success solidified Jolie’s reputation as an action star and further established her as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses.
Angelina Jolie’s performance in Mr. & Mrs. Smith remains one of her most iconic roles. Her portrayal of Jane Smith not only showcased her physical abilities as an action star but also highlighted her ability to bring humor and emotional depth to an otherwise high-stakes film. The film’s box office success and continued popularity reinforce Jolie’s status as a Hollywood powerhouse.
References
• Ebert, R. (2005, June 9). Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mr-and-mrs-smith-2005
• Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film). (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._%26_Mrs.Smith(2005_film)
• Angelina Jolie. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelina_Jolie
• 2005 Worldwide Grosses. (n.d.). In Box Office Mojo. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2005/
Image References
To further illustrate Jolie’s impact in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, here are the images used on our social media, referenced under Creative Commons licenses:
1. Angelina Jolie at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con (for The Eternals)
• Photographer: Gage Skidmore
• Source: Wikimedia Commons
• License: CC BY-SA 2.0
• Reference: Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
• *Image URL
2. Angelina Jolie – Vogue Taiwan Photoshoot
• Photographer: VOGUE Taiwan
• Source: Wikimedia Commons
• License: CC BY 3.0
• Reference: Photo by VOGUE Taiwan via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
• *Image URL
3. Angelina Jolie Visits 1st Cavalry, Multi-National Division – Baghdad
• Photographer: Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
• Source: Wikimedia Commons
• License: Public Domain (U.S. Army official photo)
• Reference: Photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
• *Image URL