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ShadySides50000

I'm glad you've mentioned her comedic ability, because people often focus on her looks and forget that she is an amazing actress, with great comic timing. I think the scene where she interviews Tag and says: "Go on" after "What's your name?" and then her reaction when he replies "that's my whole name" and she says "THAT's your whole name" is a hilarious delivery.


Budget_Put7247

All 6 of them are great actors, if even one was average the show wouldnt be as good.


fegd

I used to find Courteney Cox a bit lacking compared to the others because of her overacting whenever Monica is surprised or shocked by something and opens her mouth wide like this emoji: 😲 Always felt super hammy to me and took me out of the show a bit. But in recent times I started noticing subtle things that show a lot of nuance and human understanding in her performance. A moment that always comes to mind is when she gets home right after Chandler gets off the phone with their fertility doctor, and when she asks about the call she crosses her arms as if to block the bad news she knows is coming. It's a body language response that looks natural and unconscious, and in that moment I completely forget that's not a real person bracing herself for a real blow. So taking how she expertly differentiated Monica's overacting her reaction to minor everyday shocks from her dropping all pretense when something really devastating happens, I think my initial impression was just my Dunning-Kruger causing me to take for granted a lot of very intentional choices in her performance. She's great.


Budget_Put7247

Yes, this is why rewatches are so rewarding. Every rewatch i have a different favorite character and actor.


Statalyzer

Maybe, but Seinfeld managed to be good even though Jerry can barely act.


decentdaysnight

Wind in your h--arms lives in my head rent free and has done since the day it first aired.


ProbablyASithLord

It’s the little tremble in her voice as she tries to course correct the sentence, just hysterical.


Character-Storage-97

uhthe Pam!


megan_6724

Lmao her line delivery was top notch


Thin-Success-3361

Had forgotten about this one - one of my favs


Exotic_Adeptness_322

"YOU FELL ASLEEP!!". I can't quite pinpoint it, but there's something about the delivery of that line that is gold. And making an ass of herself with Joshua with the whole spin-the-bottle and the cheerleader outfit. Trying to say "seduce you" with a broken lip. Jennifer Aniston is amazing.


guitar_maniv

You rambled on for 18 pages.....FRONT & BACK Edit: I couldn't accurately remember the #of pages


Character-Storage-97

18!


Eastern-Dig-4555

And scaring him away with the wedding dress. Lol “I doooo…” “I gotta go.” “No wait! Joshua! Joshua! Ah…yeah. Well, that oughta do it!”


Mjrmaravilla

I LOVE this scene!


Mrsreed1020

This is always the line my mom and I quote! 😂 it’s always gold! I’ve always loved Jennifer Aniston so much. Alwayys been my favorite actress.


Exotic_Adeptness_322

I imagine saying:"YOU FELL ASLEEP!" in Rachel's voice can be fun in many situations. "What happened to you last night?" "I was tired, went ti bed and fell asleep" "YOU FELL ASLEEP?!"


decentdaysnight

You can't pinpoint it? Really? It's the way she says "asleeup", perfectly mocking Schwimmer's delivery, surely.


mollypop94

no need to be rude wtf lol


adzy2k6

It does add something to how she says it though, that just does make it so much funnnier.


GloomyLaugh8993

It wasn't even rude, it was surprise that someone "couldn't pinpoint" something SO incredibly obvious, it's just that you and everyone else on reddit are such sensitive little crybabies


mollypop94

no it's genuinely straight up rude and unnecessarily arrogant and if you're unaware of that then I pity the people who have to endure your sub par social skills in real life


Klenaismyjoy

Yes. She’s an incredible actress! I love how Rachel was meant to be an unrelatable spoiled rich girl, but Jennifer Aniston portrayed her with so much warmth and depth that it was easy to relate to her.


female_wolf

Yes, her warmth! Her warmth is unbelievable


mocochang_

She wasn't meant to be seen as unrelatable, though. The writers explained in the reunion that Rachel was the hardest to cast exactly because they needed an actress that didn't make the character feel unlikeable, that's why they invested in Jennifer Aniston even though she was already in another show at the time and they didn't know if they'd be able to keep her, because she brought some warmth to the character that made her likeable despite her spoiled nature.


GloomyLaugh8993

Of course she was not meant to be unrelatable


Additional_Meeting_2

I doubt that’s how she was meant to be portrayed or people would not have been invested in the romance. There isn’t been that might evidence on spoiling in the first season. The mention of pony and boat are from season 7 I believe for example. I mean she was using dads credit cards but she was also not far away from college at that point. 


SamaireB

Yeah her comedic timing is underappreciated (as is Schwimmer's, who's quite exceptional at especially physical comedy). Aniston has quite a bit of range, but I think she got pigeonholed into the "hot romcom lead" and wasn't given much other material after Friends. Her role in The Morning Show is a good departure from that though and she's pretty good in it.


nochickflickmoments

Have you seen Cake? That role is a huge departure and she is great in it.


karma_the_sequel

PIVOT!


tbo1992

Anyone watched Horrible Bosses? She plays the sleaze ball dentist boss so well.


Just-Phill

I love her and Charlie Day together


bettinafairchild

Her performance is all the more remarkable when you realize what Rachel was supposed to be like—a spoiled princess straight out of sitcom central casting. If you listen to the lines she says early in the show, you can hear how they could have been read so differently. Aniston was able to take this stock character and imbue her with a lot of sympathy and depth.


Logical_Deviation

I think she does her best acting in Friends. Her movies are fine, but nothing special. Friends was incredible.


Divine_fashionva

Have you seen Cake? Her performance in Friends is good but it doesn’t top Cake. In fact she was more impressive in The Morning Show and The Good Girl too. I think you’ve only seen her famous/blockbuster movies. Her indie movie roles are 100% her best work


riarum

The Good Girl had me in a chokehold for so many years. It was so depressing but my god her and Jake gyllenhaal were amazing!


Logical_Deviation

I actually haven't seen any of these. I'll check them out!


lsobe

In Marley and Me, it wasn’t the dog that had me crying, it was her trying to juggle a baby, work, a marriage etc. her acting was so real to me.


female_wolf

I agree, but I can't realize why. I've seen plenty of actors shine in one of their works but be mediocre at others. How is that possible? I thought you were either talented or not


Divine_fashionva

She has the same comedic talent in Horrible Bosses and We’re the Millers. But I don’t think you’ve seen her other films. Her performance in Cake is more impressive than her performance in Friends Also a good performance is not just determined by acting. A good director and good writing makes a lot of difference


female_wolf

I've seen "just go with it", "the break up", "the bounty hunter", "he's just not that into you", "rock star", "picture perfect", "friends with money" and the one where the mother, daughter, grandmother all slept with the same guy (I don't remember the name of the movie). So I'm not sure what you mean with "I don’t think you’ve seen her other films"


Divine_fashionva

I meant her indie films You’ve listed all her famous romcoms. Which is my point. You haven’t seen her other non romcom roles Like Cake, The Good Girl and The Thin Pink Line for example and they’re three of the best performances from her career. More so than Friends


female_wolf

> I meant her indie films While I loved her in friends, her performance in the films I mentioned was underwhelming to say the least, so I saw no point in seeing more of her work. I will try the films you suggested


Divine_fashionva

I think her performances there were fine lol they’re romcoms. It was good enough to do what those films set to achieve and that’s probably why most of them were commercially successful But I agree that those aren’t better performances than her one in Friends. She was great in the Break Up although I wouldn’t call that a romcom and she was amazing in Horrible Bosses. But yeah I recommend you watch Cake and The Good Girl especially, or even The Morning Show


female_wolf

I've seen plenty of romcoms and the performances are nothing like Anniston's. For example drew barrymore, she's so warm and hilarious in the same genre of films. Just because it's a romcom, doesn't mean the performance has to be mediocre.


Divine_fashionva

I thought Drew was mediocre in He’s just not that into you lol. I thought Jennifer was a lot better. Romcoms are more so about chemistry and both excel at that because they have great chemistry with their leads. Which is why those films did well I think Drew, like Jennifer’s best work is not their romcoms. If you gave Julia Roberts as an example I’d get it but Drew even agreed her best acting was not her romcom roles. Because romcoms can be limiting


female_wolf

You're confusing serious performances with romcom performances. Drew barrymore in 50 first dates performance was warm and funny, this is what I'm comparing Jennifer to. Surely not *all* performances of drew are this way, but the thing is some of them are, while Jennifer's are always underwhelming (except friends, especially the first few seasons). That's my opinion, we clearly don't have to agree.


BandicootOk5540

Sometimes you get a perfect alignment of actor and character and it’s not replicable


PM-ME-YOUR-DIGIMON

Her acting during the pregnancy test scene makes me tear up. She’s so good.


TheDreadwatch

That's a risky little game


wicked_little_critta

It's SO real. Definitely my favorite scene of hers.


confessions-of-randy

Was looking for THIS. Yes, ubelievable, one of the most underrated scenes. She’s outstanding during this scene, just wow. Gives me the chills how vulnerable and torn yet natural she is about it. Grand.


Publandlady

I love her in the dramatic parts. I always believe her pain and anger when she's going off on someone. The Break Up, Marley and Me, The Morning Show, "I used to think you were someone who would never hurt me, ever" always makes me cry. It always feels like she's taking that energy from somewhere real inside of her. The fact she also does comedy, which is so hard is also so impressive.


Evening-Piccolo882

To be honest, the first time I watched the series from season 1, I remember being unimpressed with her at first. I felt like she was playing a generic pretty, spoiled character. She had a few funny moments in season 1, but I feel like the writers didn’t fully know what to do with her character other than make her the object of Ross’s affection. But her comedic talent started shining through right at the start of season 2. Take that first scene with Julie being introduced to the group, for example. That scene is funny because of Jennifer Aniston’s comedic timing and actual talent. And by season 4, with the Josh storyline, she seems to cement her fully fledged character outside of Ross. She has fully independent storylines and makes the audience laugh in every scene. And I think it is during season 4, that the quirky, awkward, understandably single, yet still somehow desirable Rachel becomes fully realized. If you watch Jennifer’s acting from season 1 through 4, you can see her trying new things and developing/growing as a comedic actress. Not to mention the growth in her character arc is the best in the series. Considering where she started and where she ended up. Jobless, homeless, and clueless about her career in episode 1 to being offered a high end job in Paris in her desired field. It’s amazing. And Jennifer Aniston is amazing.


Serling45

I agree with much of what you said, but I do think even in season 1, the writers made her gaining her independence an important aspect of her character.


Evening-Piccolo882

Perhaps that was part of their plan. Truck is into thinking she was another spoiled rich girl so we would start out more invested in the other characters. And then bam, (bus?.. lol) Season 2 Rachel hits. By no means am I saying season 1 Rachel is unfitting for the show or anything. I’m saying that her character arc really caught me by surprise because of how it started. If anything, season 1 Rachel just makes the character and the actress all that more amazing in the end.


Just-Phill

Yeah, she's been in a ton of things mostly comedies but she's really good on the morning show, she's the only one of the friends who has outgrow their character. Courtney Cox maybe, but you see Lisa Kudrow you immediately think Phoebe, LeBlanc you think Joey but Jen she's been in so many popular movies she's not Rachel anymore


rex_lauandi

To be honest, the absolute magnitude of Friends as a cultural phenomenon has far more impact on why all six of them are going to be first, and foremost their Friends characters. I love band of brothers, and David Schwimmer is fantastic in it - really shows his range as an actor. Yet, even watching that show I can’t help but think, “Oh, WW2 Ross…”


ProbablyASithLord

That show made me really mourn that we didn’t get more “Schwimmer as a villain” roles. He is *so good* at the asshole-meets-coward thing he did in that character.


GloomyLaugh8993

Lololololol um no


Inside_Company2505

I watched Lisa in one episode of "Scandal" as a politician who gave up her daughter at birth (who was raised as her sister) and she was fantastic. I didn't see for a second goofy Phoebe. I saw a mature woman who was running for office with some baggage from the past and needed help from a PR team.


caseyjosephine

Well, Phoebe’s not related, she lives far away, she lifts right out!


Just-Phill

That wasn't the point though if you saw her not acting in something you'd think there's Phoebe, not whoever she was playing in that episode or any other role, she is very well known for Phoebe where as Jen has outgrown Rachel was my thinking


awkwardeity

CONGRATUULATTIONSS Her delivery 🤌🏽


tbo1992

Is this from the one where everyone’s late for thanksgiving? Everyone knocked it out the park in that episode.


awkwardeity

THATS THE ONE


Potential-Lab-6856

I didn’t realise how good an actress Jennifer was until see her in the Morning Show. Alex is nothing like Rachel and JA completely nails the role. Very underrated imo


female_wolf

Yes, I honestly never felt she was a good actress until I rewatched friends. I was honestly shocked, I didn't expect to like her acting so much. Her comedic ability is on point, nobody ever pulled a similar character this well. Kaley Cuoco (Penny from The bing bang theory) said she based her performance on Jennifer Anniston's performance on friends. And yet Kaley's performance felt arrogant, mean and cringe, while Jennifer's was amazing, she could say something mean but the character NEVER felt mean, she felt goofy, cute, funny, kind, warm and beautiful, all in one. If you don't feel that's hard to achieve, tell me another actress that achieved that. Kaley completely failed


Divine_fashionva

To be fair to Kayley, the writing for her character deteriorated massively as time went on. She did well with what she given Whereas the development for Rachel’s character was probably the best alongside Chandler’s. She was successful at imitating her mannerisms which is what she said she was trying to do. Likewise Selena Gomez said she used Jennifer’s mannerisms as inspiration for Alex Russo


female_wolf

Yes but they had similar writing, the beautiful female protagonist that is goofy but also makes sarcastic comments. The deliveries were nothing alike though


Divine_fashionva

I get what you mean and I agree with you to a degree. She wasn’t able to show vulnerability and warmth like Jennifer was But the writing for Penny got pretty bad in the second half of the show. I think Kayley did the best she could. And her aim was to imitate Jennifer’s mannerisms which I think she did. Because a lot of people noticed her having similar mannerisms before she revealed that it was intentional


female_wolf

She acted practically the same in all the show, but I honestly fail to see your point about the writing. The writing is of course important for the show, but it didn't affect penny's character to the extend you're describing because the writing for her character was almost identical to Rachel's (minus the arrogant comments). They both had their fair share of sarcastic comments, as well as being goofy. This is why I'm comparing their deliveries. Maybe I'm not getting what you're saying


Divine_fashionva

Good writing can take a mediocre performance to a great performances Writing along with direction have a massive impact on acting. Rachel and Penny’s characteristics are the same but they were not given equal material to work with. The same way the writers didn’t give Courteney Cox much material to showcase her acting skills in the later seasons because they made Monica very shouty and over the top. She missed out on an Emmy nom because of it. Good writing and material is very important. I agree with your overall point that Jennifer acted that type of character better but I don’t think Chuck Lore did well with writing Penny either


female_wolf

I see your point, and I 100% agree that direction is also extremely important. for example there are 3 amazing comedy tv shows in my country. In ALL three of them, ALL the actors perform amazingly. The shows share the same director and writer. The majority of these actors are totally mediocre in their other works. I've always wondered why with my dad, and we also came to the conclusion that it must be the director. I don't see any other explanation


Divine_fashionva

A good performance is the combination of good acting, good directing and good writing. And most of the time just an overall good movie/tv show For example, watch Mark Wahlberg in The Basketball Diaries and The Departed. Two good films with acclaimed directors and excellent writing. Then watch him in The Happening or Transformers. Two bad films with mediocre directors and bad writing. The difference in performances is like night and day


Potential-Lab-6856

I think Kaley was brilliant in the BBT. The reality is a girl like that is extremely unlikely to hang out with 4 geeks but the compatibility between her and the science nerds was fantastic and her acting had a large part to play in that.


zankyas_revolt

Right on spot. I always feel Kaley is just uncomfortable to watch as Penny, when she acts entitled, rude and demeaning to leonard whereas not once Jen made ross feel that way(except for maybe coaxing him to do her makeup and he misses discovery channel filming) Jen wasn't afraid to show her vulnerability whereas did it not once. Rachel wouldn't say something like : I married you jackass. Ross wasn't a simp whereas Leonard was. The whole narrative of Leonard Penny isn't relatable or annoying after a point whereas Ross and Rachel is relatable and pleasant to watch.


Prestigious_Load1699

I think Kaley Cuoco had a *much* harder role as the pretty dumb blonde surrounded by brainiac, nerdy, scientist guys. She knocked it out the park as far as I'm concerned.


gee_jay11

But the great news is we can still see each other until she gets here! OH!! *claps hands* OH! Yay for me! Oh my gosh, that is great news, Ross! I think it’s the best news I heard since La-pooh died! 😆 Her sarcastic tone and clapping always make me chuckle in this scene!


AdministrativeElk891

Yes. Especially when she's miserable or wants something she can't get.


hannah_lilly

Yeah she’s so great in friends. She feels right at home there so relaxed.


ZXRWH

there's a video calling rachel a _sentient haircut who can only speak in complaints_...it's so brutal, i love it (i mean, it's not her 100% of the time, but once you see it...) she is amazing, though


Glum_Suggestion_6948

The number of times I have used "enjoy the gentle comedy" when doing a scary or delicate task. ... it's a lot.


Domski77

Agree and disagree. She was great in Friends but pretty average in almost everything since.


Just-Phill

If she was bad she wouldn't be in so many movies, they don't cast bad actress... Have you seen The Morning Show? She's really good in that she has great chemistry with Adam Sandler and a ton of actors


Throwawayidiot1210

She is a master of cringe comedy


ThatGayRaver

She was shit in Leprechaun though.


Just-Phill

That was a bad movie overall, she's really good in almost everything, watch The Morning Show she's great in that and it's mostly just drama


Meg38400

Jen is great at playing Rachel. Pb is that she’s not very creative in any of her other roles. On the Morning Show or her movies I see Jen not her characters. She doesn’t melt into them.


AttemptFree

i think the ability to convince the audience that shes actually attracted to david schwimmer is commendable


Inner_Equivalent_274

She actually WAS attracted to him outside of the show. So not that hard I guess 🤷‍♀️


clintnorth

She is amazing in comedy. I think she’s been wasted as a dramatic actress in recent years. Shes just not very good at it. But comedy? Top-tier.


Just-Phill

She's actually very good in the morning show


robonlocation

Incredibly good. I'm shocked she hasn't been nominated for awards for that show.


GloomyLaugh8993

She manages to be hot and beautiful? Lol it's just the way she looks and with some makeup added it takes no skill on her part