From The LA Times:

The feeling around Hollywood lately is that Sandra Bullock has in some ways walked off with Julia Roberts’ career. The actress opted for “The Proposal” after Roberts passed and starred in “The Blind Side,” which had been first offered to Roberts back when the film was at Fox.

Roberts has instead decided to focus on her family, stepping back in to the limelight mainly to play supporting parts in movies like “Charlie Wilson’s War” and ensemble roles like the one she has in the upcoming Garry Marshall flick “Valentine’s Day” (which, as those ubiquitous TV ads have shown, has Roberts playing a soldier who flirts outrageously with Bradley Cooper).

"Duplicity” last year marked a comeback of sorts, but while the complex thriller impressed the critics, regular Joes appear to have found the tale of two corporate spies a little remote.

Now comes word that Roberts is taking on another lead role, with “Charlie Wilson’s War” buddy Tom Hanks writing and directing a movie for the two of them about a man re-inventing his life at middle age. The man endures a midlife crisis and joins a kids' Vespa gang; Roberts plays an instructor at a school that Hanks' character enrolls in. (Clearly the midlife-crisis theme is resonant for Hanks – he also owns the rights to the book “How Starbucks Changed My Life,” a memoir about a man who goes to work at Starbucks at age 63 after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.)

Fans (this writer included) tend to feel like it’s been a long time since they've gotten their fix of the big wide smile and the whole smiling-through-tears moment that seems to come in every commercial movie she does, from “Pretty Woman” to “Notting Hill.”

Of course, the more limited work schedule is not just a family thing for Roberts. She’s now choosing her films on a lot more than their commercial appeal, taking on ambitious projects that offer her the chance to play meatier roles.

In August, she’ll be seen doing just that when “Eat, Pray, Love,” the adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling memoir about a woman who travels the globe after her divorce, hits the screen. That movie has general appeal and should stoke fan interest (especially the pairing of Roberts and Javier Bardem). But directed by “Nip/Tuck” creator Ryan Murphy, it also appears to be the kind of film that works in Roberts' interest in more prestige fare.

Last spring, Roberts told this paper that she can’t imagine herself recycling the romantic rescue tropes that endeared her to audiences in the '90s. “I can’t play those parts anymore,” she said. “It just doesn’t work for me at 41, with three kids and happily married.”

But as the skyrocketing careers of Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep have demonstrated recently, in contemporary you can also tell real stories about women over 40 that have genuine broad appeal. You can be, in other words, the new Julia Roberts.

-- Rachel Abramowitz

I think Julia got lost in her hype at some point. At her peak, and during the latter 90's, she was the only actress in Hollywood that could open a movie based on her name alone.

As they've pointed out, it doesn't help that the roles she's picked in recent years have been "different" from what the audience wants from her. Her strengths are as a romantic comedy actress, but she seems hell bent on trying to make herself happen in other genres.

She once had this relatable appeal to a lot of women in general, who would go out to see her movies just because Julia was the girl next door and "kinda like them." I think she's really lost that appeal in recent years, whereas, Sandra Bullock has built on that appeal of her's.

Edited January 19, 201015 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Julia's initial career had hits in both drama (mainly thrillers) and comedy. Then she started making awful movies and getting more and more publicity for her love life, and her career stalled. 1993-1997 or so weren't great years for her. Then she went back to comedies and mostly connected with the public through those, aside from Erin Brockovich. I don't think her dramatic roles have connected with people in a long time. I don't know if that is down to the public taste or the movies themselves (I know a lot of people who thought Mona Lisa Smile was horribly patronizing).

I think she also did a lot of damage to herself with that "A Low Vera" fiasco 5-6 years ago.

I think she also did a lot of damage to herself with that "A Low Vera" fiasco 5-6 years ago.

I had to read up on that. That's nasty. Almost the same as LeAnn Rimes taunting Eddie Cibrian's then-soon-to-be-ex-wife.

What was that with Leann Rimes?

Eddie was so damn hot on Y&R and SuBe. Sad that he's now just known for having an affair with Leann Rimes.

What was that with Leann Rimes?

Eddie was so damn hot on Y&R and SuBe. Sad that he's now just known for having an affair with Leann Rimes.

LeAnn Rimes was going to Eddie Cibrian's son's school when the ex-wife would pick up the child and wave and taunt the ex-wife. I also recall hearing how LeAnn bought a house either on the same street or near the same street as Eddie and the ex-wife.

She's a nasty ole hoe.

Julia Roberts named as the latest face of Lancôme

^^ Horsey Teeth? Really?

Well, she does have movie star megawattage and comedic talent. Unlike so-called "movie stars" Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel.

^^ Horsey Teeth? Really?

Well, she does have movie star megawattage and comedic talent. Unlike so-called "movie stars" Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel.

Don't forger another Jennifer: Aniston.