In Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Julia Roberts played Tess Ocean, the art curator and former wife of Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film follows Danny and his crew as they plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos, while Danny also hopes to win Tess back from casino owner Terry Benedict, played by Andy Garcia.
Roberts brought cool, intelligent charm to Tess. She was not simply a prize to be won; she saw through Danny’s schemes and held her own in every scene, and her presence gave the stylish heist a romantic heart. The film was a major hit and led to a sequel, Ocean’s Twelve (2004), in which she returned as Tess.
Ocean’s Eleven remains a signature Roberts role because it showed her at ease in a star-filled ensemble, elegant, funny and completely in command.