Back at the end of January, we all bid farewell to Rashida Jones’ beloved Ann Perkins on the hit show “Parks and Recreation.” Now the talented actress can be seen on the big screen, cutting a little rug and salsa dancing with funnyman Nick Frost in “Cuban Fury.”
No matter the role, you can always expect Jones to bring both sincerity and realism, along with a splash of her signature goofiness.
With “Cuban Fury” getting a wider release this weekend, Red Carpet Crash thought it would be a good time to look back over Jones’ incredible film career. From a quirky lawyer to a bass slapper, here are her top five flicks.
5. “Our Idiot Brother” (2011)
“I like to think that if you put your trust out there— if you really give people the benefit of the doubt, see their best intentions, people will rise to the occasion.”
Kicking off our list is the Paul Rudd-starring comedy “Our Idiot Brother,” a smartly directed film by Jesse Peretz. The film, about an idealist who interrupts the lives of his three sisters, features an impressive cast, including Jones, Zoey Deschanel among many other notable talents.
“Our Idiot Brother” is a harmless, fun and entertaining piece with a remarkably warm heart. It’s the type of film that can inspire people to want to do good just by relating to their simple good-sided human nature.
4. “The Big Year” (2011)
“Of all courtship rituals in the animal kingdom, the most spectacular by far is that of the bald eagle. The male and female climb to dizzying heights and then join in free fall, plummeting toward earth, locked in each others embrace, separating only at the very last moment.”
Centered on three men (Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson) at different walks of life who dedicate an entire year to spotting and recording different species of birds, “The Big Year” is filled with genuine comedy, great performances and real-life situations.
There are many laughs to have in the film, but ultimately it’s a film that manages to be touching and uplifting. Along with its great sense of community with its characters, “The Big Year” leaves audiences to pursue the things they are most passionate about.
3. “I Love You, Man” (2009)
“Slapping the bass!”
“I Love You, Man” is a delightful feature not just for its brand of humor and cast of contemporary jokers who have taken Hollywood by storm, but because it has a meaningful story at its core. Behind its curtain of laughter, it provides key insights into what it means to be a true friend.
At the time of its release, most audiences were unfamiliar with Jones, but it was the film that made us fall in love with her. In a role that most actresses would have overdone, Jones was adorable, authentic and likable as Rudd’s on-screen fiancée.
2. “The Social Network” (2010)
“Bosnia. They don’t have roads, but they have Facebook.”
In 2010, “The Social Network” was robbed by “The King’s Speech” at the 2011 Academy Awards. It was a film that perfectly captured our time and displayed an engaging story of friendship, greed and betrayal.
1. “Celeste and Jesse Forever” (2012)
“Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? Sometimes the end is just the beginning.”
“Celeste and Jesse Forever,” penned by Jones and Will ‘Skillz’ McCormack, perfectly captures the subtle intricacies of a modern relationship. Focusing on a couple who are separated but live together and are best friends, the film delves into the raw and honest part of a relationship that is not seen in movies.
Relationships are complicated and are tough to maintain, and “Celeste and Jesse Forever” does an outstanding job of displaying this by showing audiences the sweet and sour. It’s only a sweeter deal that Jones and Andy Samberg have chemistry that sparks off screen.
Honorable Mentions: “Decoding Annie Parker,” “The Muppets” and “Monogamy”
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“Cuban Fury” opens wide on Friday
Read our Red Carpet Crash review here.
