Elizabeth Reaser Movies
Hailed by Interview Magazine as one of the "14 to Be" emerging creative women back in October 2004, Independent Spirit Award nominee
Elizabeth Reaser has proven to be one of the most promising onscreen talents of her generation thanks to memorable roles in the independent drama
Sweet Land and the hit medical drama
Grey's Anatomy. The Bloomfield, MI, native worked a series of odd jobs before graduating from high school and enrolling in Oakland University -- eventually realizing that her only hope for escaping the Midwest and accomplishing her goal of becoming an actress was convincing her parents to let her study drama at Juilliard. Much to her surprise,
Reaser's parents were entirely supportive of her decision, and the aspiring actress was soon enrolled in one of the most prestigious drama programs in the country. In May 1999,
Reaser graduated from Juilliard with her M.F.A. and went about the formidable task of procuring an agent.
A supporting role in the long-running daytime drama
Guiding Light proved just the break
Reaser needed to get her foot in the door, with stage roles in a La Jolla Playhouse revival of
Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth and a New York Classic Stage Company production of
Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale (in which she appeared opposite
David Strathairn and
Barbara Garrick) following in quick succession. Shortly thereafter, the rising star madeher London debut as the kept girlfriend of a Lower East Side addict in a critically acclaimed production of
Adam Rapp's intense play Blackbird.
Despite
Reaser's notable stage presence, however, it was her roles in film and television that truly served to solidify her career as an actress. One the heels of supporting roles in such high-profile releases as
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing and
Stay,
Reaser scaled back to surprising effect with her Independent Spirit Award-nominated performance as a lovelorn immigrant in director
Ali Selim's 2005 period drama
Sweet Land. Later that same year,
Reaser shared the screen with
Diane Keaton and
Sarah Jessica Parker in
The Family Stone. Back on the small screen, a recurring role as a pregnant mother suffering from amnesia following an intense ferry accident in
Grey's Anatomy found
Reaser anchoring one of the show's most memorable storylines. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

- 2011
- PG13
- Add The Art of Getting By to Queue
Add The Art of Getting By to top of Queue
A high school slacker forges an unlikely bond with the most popular girl in his class, and becomes an apprentice to an older artist after learning that his disdain for homework may cost him his diploma. George (Freddie Highmore) isn't what you'd call a people person, yet he's somehow managed to make it through high school with a minimal amount of effort. Meanwhile, Sally (Emma Roberts) is a natural-born beauty whose popularity helps to hide the fact that she's positively miserable at home. Brought together by their turbulent personal lives, Sally and George quickly discover that despite appearances, they actually have quite a bit in common. It all threatens to fall apart, though, when George learns that he may not be eligible for graduation. Desperate to escape high school by any means necessary, George attempts to learn some measure of self-discipline by working under Dustin, a successful 25-year-old artist who sees potential in the young misfit. Now, just as George begins to see the future as something to embrace rather than something to dread, his lazy past threatens to hinder his forward momentum. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, (more)

- 2011
- R
- Add Young Adult to Queue
Add Young Adult to top of Queue
Upon returning to her small Minnesota hometown to win back her high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson), now a happily-married father, divorced young adult fiction author Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) forges an unexpected bond with another former schoolmate (Patton Oswalt) who's had a particularly difficult life. Juno collaborators Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody re-team for this Paramount Pictures production. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, (more)

- 2010
- PG13
- Add The Twilight Saga: Eclipse to Queue
Add The Twilight Saga: Eclipse to top of Queue
The third film in the Twilight series explores a love triangle between Bella (Kristen Stewart), Edward (Robert Pattinson), and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) as the werewolf pack and the Cullen clan join together to fight a new breed of vampires. Melissa Rosenberg provides the screenplay for the Summit Entertainment adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling novel, with director David Slade calling the shots behind the camera. Bryce Dallas Howard joins the cast as Victoria, the role originally played by Rachelle Lefevre in the first film. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, (more)

- 2009
- PG13
- Add The Twilight Saga: New Moon to Queue
Add The Twilight Saga: New Moon to top of Queue
The supernatural tale of star-crossed lovers continues as the Cullen family flees Forks in order to protect Bella (Kristen Stewart), and the heartbroken high-school senior discovers that vampires aren't the only creatures in town. Realizing that Bella will never be safe as long as he's around, Edward (Robert Pattinson) makes the difficult decision to leave his beloved behind shortly after her 18th birthday. Reeling from her loss, Bella embraces self-destruction after being comforted by Edward's image during a moment of mortal peril. But as heavy-hearted as Bella may be, her old friend Jacob (Taylor Lautner) distracts her from her sorrows by helping her renovate a weather-beaten motorbike. When Bella encounters a former adversary with a sizable grudge, she's rescued from harm at the last second by pack of enormous, ferocious wolves. Subsequently delving into the history of the Quileutes, Bella discovers the secrets of Jacob's tribe while looking forward to a reunion with Edward that may have deadly consequences. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, (more)

- 2008
- PG13
- Add Twilight to Queue
Add Twilight to top of Queue
When Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) reluctantly moved to the perpetually overcast town of Forks, WA, and set out to carve a niche for herself, she assumed it would be one similar to the low-profile social position she held back in Phoenix. First on the list of surprises was the unfamiliar attention from the male population of her new high school; second, the attention from one male in particular: Edward Cullen, Vampire (Robert Pattinson). Before long, the unlikely soul mates find themselves in a passionate relationship with a variety of significant setbacks, including Edward's special-needs diet (he doesn't eat humans, but Bella's scent inspires a nearly impossible to harness bloodlust) and the human girl's mortality. Though things proceed relatively smoothly at first (Edward even introduces Bella to his adoptive vampire family), a visiting vampire clan consisting of James (Cam Gigandet), Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre), and Laurent (Edi Gathegi) catches Bella's unique scent and threatens the young couple's budding, if dangerous, happiness. James, known for his powerful tracking ability, becomes obsessed with making Bella his next victim. Fearing for Bella's safety and that of her loved ones, the Cullens must combine their collective talents in order to stop the highly predatory James before his goal is accomplished. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, (more)

- 2008
-
A successful and single thirty-something named Bella Bloom embarks on a tireless quest to track down her soul mate after a bachelorette-party psychic informs her that she has already met "the one," despite failing to realize it during their initial encounter. According to the psychic at her sister Daphne's bachleorette bash, Bella has already met her future husband. But all hope isn't lost, because she still has a whole year to track him down. Should she fail to find him in one year's time, however, Bella is doomed to spend the rest of her life alone. Thankfully has a supportive army of friends to assist her in the search; friends like Augie, an endearing pal who has always been there to listen to Bella's tales of romantic woe. Bella's childhood friend Vivian is game for the hunt as well, as is her wry and perpetually unemployed pal Cyrus. Though Bella is reluctant to buy into the psychic's theory at first, she soon witnesses an event that convinces her without question that she needs to start searching fast. Now, with a little help from her friends, Bella will track down every man she has dated, befriended, or casually encountered over the years in order to avoid becoming a lonely and embittered spinster. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Reaser, Rachel Boston, (more)

- 2008
- NR
- Add Against the Current to Queue
Add Against the Current to top of Queue
In this independent drama from writer and director Peter Callahan, Joseph Fiennes stars as Paul, a writer and finance expert who approaches his best friend Jeff (Justin Kirk) with an unusual proposal. When they were kids, Paul and Jeff talked about one day swimming the Hudson River from Manhattan to Troy, New York, a stretch of 150 miles. Paul has decided he's going to do it, and wants like Jeff to join him, suggesting he follow along in a boat and provide support when it's needed. Paul is puzzled but agrees, and his friend Liz (Elizabeth Reaser) tags along for the ride. But in time Jeff realizes that the final day of Paul's carefully scheduled big swim coincides with the fifth anniversary of the death of Paul's pregnant wife, and Jeff fears that his friend has more in mind that a challenge to himself. Also starring Mary Tyler Moore and Michelle Trachtenberg, Against The Current received its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Joseph Fiennes, Justin Kirk, (more)

- 2007
-
In the first episode of a two-part story, Addison (Kate Walsh) heads to LA for a reunion old medical-school friends, blissfully unprepared for what it is in store for her. Meredith's stepmom Susan (Mare Winningham) is brought in with a truly bad case of hiccups, just as Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) thinks she has come to terms with their relationship. "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser) has been identified as "Ava", and Alex (Justin Chambers) is happy with her by any name. And Cristina (Sandra Oh) prepares for her wedding with the dubious input of her own mother (Tsai Chin) and Burke's mom (Diahann Carroll). This episode serves to introduce the future costars of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice: Tim Daly (Pete), Amy Brennerman (Violet), Taye Diggs (Sam), Chris Lowell (Dell) and Paul Adelstein (Cooper) (the character of Naomi, here played by Merrin Dungey, would be taken over by Audra McDonald in Private Practice). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
As the interns prepare for the all-important First Year exam, the candidates for the position of surgical chief fall over themselves providing "TLC" to a "VIP" patient. Sloan (Eric Dane) anxiously counts the seconds until the end of his 60-day vow of chastity. Cristina (Sandra Oh) gets sore when Burke (Isaiah Washington) monopolizes their wedding plans. The relationship between Addison (Kate Walsh) and Alex (Justin Chambers) heats up, even as Alex grows ever closer to "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser)--or is her real name Ava? And a male patient is brought in with a fish stuffed in his. . .well, never mind, but it hurts REAL bad. This episode marks the reteaming, as it were, of former X-Files regulars James Pickens Jr. and Mitch Pileggi. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
The revelation that Izzie (Katherine Heigl) once gave up a daughter for adoption is a challenge which George (T. R. Knight) is willing to face, or so he thinks. Down in the dumps over her vacillating relationship with Derek (Patrick Dempsey), Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) must also contend with her stepmother Susan (Mare Willingham). Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Burke (Isaiah Washington) have trouble summoning enthusiasm over their impending marriage as long as Colin (Roger Rees) remains on the scene. Alex (Justin Chambers) is convinced that he has found the family of the beleagured "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser). And in a lighter moment, Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) teaches an old dog--namely Dr. Webber (James Pickens Jr.)--a few new tricks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
Suffering from the mother of all hangovers, George (T.R. Knight) is in no shape to meet his new father-in-law (Hector Elizondo)--especially after spending the night with a woman other than his wife. Alex (Justin Chambers) helps Jane Doe (Elizabeth Reaser) select her "new look" after she completes her surgery. Izzie finds out about Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) drinking problem, all the while keeping mum about a secret of her own. And the arrival of Cristina's (Sandra Oh) former lover Colin Marlow (Roger Rees) seriously compromises her relationship with Burke (Isaiah Washington). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
- Add Grey's Anatomy: Season 04 to Queue
Add Grey's Anatomy: Season 04 to top of Queue
In the fourth season of ABC's popular medical drama, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina (Sandra Oh), Alex (Justin Chambers) and Izzie (Katherine Heigl) graduate to resident status, while George (T.R. Knight) must repeat his intern year after failing his exam. That's not George's only problem: He must also deal with the fallout of betraying his marriage vows to Callie (Sara Ramirez) as he and Izzie try to figure out if they truly are more than friends. Callie lets the stress of her marriage get to her, and it affects her ability to perform as chief resident, a position that Bailey (Chandra Wilson) coveted. Bailey's own marital woes come to a head when her little boy is hurt in an accident at home, while the Chief (James Pickens Jr.) makes strides in repairing his marriage after his ill niece returns to the hospital. Cristina deals with the pain of her failed wedding to Burke by throwing herself into her other love, cardiothoracic surgery. But much to her dismay, Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) is the new head of this department, and Cristina and Erica clash. Also new on staff is Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), George's fellow intern and Meredith's half sister, whom Meredith does her best to avoid. Meredith is on the outs with Derek (Patrick Dempsey), which leaves him free to pursue a nurse named Rose (Lauren Stamile). Meanwhile, a group of nurses whom Mark (Eric Dane) has dated band together to try and stop his promiscuous ways. This prompts Mark to want to change, but he's not the only one looking for self-improvement -- Meredith begins therapy with Dr. Wyatt (Amy Madigan). She then reconnects with Derek on a professional level as they work on clinical trials on patients with brain tumors. Alex also reconnects with someone as former patient and love interest Rebecca (Elizabeth Reaser) reenters his life. However, things with her eventually turn complicated, for reasons he doesn't see at first. ~ Jennifer Sankowski, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, (more)

- 2007
-
The results of the first-year exams are posted, and all but one the interns have passed. Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Burke (Isaiah Washington) are ready to march down the aisle and exchange vows--or are they? An important decision reached by George (T.R. Knight) and Callie (Sara Ramirez) is clouded by thoughts of Izzie (Katherine Heigl). Alex (Justin Chambers) has trouble hiding his feelings when the husband of Rebecca Pope--aka Ava, aka Jane Doe--shows up. It's anybody's guess where things stand for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) And as his wife (Loretta Devine) undergoes surgery, Dr. Webber (James Pickens Jr.) announces the name of his successor. This cliffhanger finale of Grey's Anatomy's third season marks the final series appearance of Kate Walsh (Addison), who will headline the spinoff series Private Practice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
All but one of the interns are fully prepared to take the first-year exams. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and her father have finally come to an understanding, which is more than can be said for Meredith and Derek (Patrick Dempsey). Burke (Isaiah Washington) and Cristina (Sandra Oh) are just a few hours away from becoming husband and wife. Callie (Sara Ramirez) is beginning to figure out what went on between George (T.R. Knight) and Izzie (Katherine Heigl) on that drunken evening. Ava (Elizabeth Reaser) finally regains her memory and identifies herself as "Rebecca Pope"--but this is anything but good news for Alex (Justin Chambers). And in addition to three injured mountain climbers, the hospital admissions room includes such familiar faces as Adele Webber (Loretta Devine) and Joe the Bartender (Steven W. Bailey). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
Recovering from her near-death experience, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) is convinced that her outlook on life has completely changed. More and more candidates are vying for the chief-of-surgery position soon to be vacated by Webber (James Pickens Jr.), among them handsome doctor Colin Marlow (Roger Rees), whose arrival has a strange effect on Cristina (Sandra Oh). Derek (Patrick Dempsey) finds himself treating an old friend (Shohreh Aghashloo) whose tumor may well be inoperable. Still trying to cope with the loss of Denny Duquette, Izzie (Katherine Heigl) is profoundly moved by WW2 vet Scofield (James Gammon),who has come to Seattle Grace to remove a bullet that has been lodged in his body for over sixty years. And Alex (Justin Chambers) prepares the first of several operations on the severely injured "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser). This is the episode in which George (T.R. Knight) begins questioning the wisdom of his marriage to Callie--culminating in a drunken misadventure with another female staffer! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
In the conclusion of a three-part story arc, the Seattle Grace staffers race against time to save Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), who after nearly drowning at the site of the ferryboat tragedy has been rushed to the hospital showing no signs of life. As she hovers between this world and the next, Meredith undergoes a spectacular near-death experience, "starring" several of her late friends and acquaintances--ranging from bomb-squad detective Dylan Young (Kyle Chandler) to her dear departed dog Doc! Meanwhile, the bond between Alex (Justin Chambers) and the seriously injured "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser) grows stronger; Izzie (Katherine Heigl) has serious issues with both Callie (Sara Ramirez) and George (T.R. Knight); Cristina (Sandra Oh) has yet another meltdown; and a major recurring character bids a sort-of-fond farewell. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
In the second episode of a three-part story arc, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) has fallen in the water at the scene of a horrendous ferryboat disaster, and is still among the missing. Izzie (Katherine Heigl) takes medical instructions by phone as she performs emergency cranial surgery on a victim trapped between two cars. George (T.R Knight) tells a mother that her son has been found safe so she would agree to undergo surgery--and now must conduct a frantic search for the boy. And while trying to mollify the victims' families, Alex forms an unusual bond with an unidentified pregnant woman (Elizabeth Reaser) who has sustained mulitple injuries. With all this going on, Cristina and Burke still find time to announce their upcoming wedding--only to start quarrelling the moment the words are out of their mouths. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
In the first episode of a three-part story arc, the staff at Seattle Grace swings into action when disaster strikes on Coleman Dock. A cargo ship has plowed into a ferryboat, killing several people and seriously injuring many more. Some of the survivors are in such bad shape that Dr. Webber (James Pickens Jr.) must literary play God, deciding on the spot who can be saved and who can't. Cristina (Sandra Oh) takes special interest in a grotesquely disfigured and very pregnant "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser), while Alex (Justin Chambers) must keep his arrogance in check as he deals with the victims' anguished relatives. The situations worsens when, while providing aid and comfort to an eerily calm child victim (Madison Leisle), Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) loses her footing and falls in the water--and she can't swim! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2007
-
- Add Purple Violets to Queue
Add Purple Violets to top of Queue
An unhappy woman finds new love with her old boyfriend in this romantic comedy-drama from writer and director Edward Burns. Patti Selma Blair) is a woman in her early thirties living in New York City. For years, Patti chased after her dream of becoming a successful novelist, but recently she's had to put writing on hold and is unhappily working in real estate. Patti's ennui isn't helped by the fact her marriage has fallen into a rut and neither she nor her husband are interested in one another anymore. When she was in college, Patti was in love with Brian (Patrick Wilson), and while Brian is fortunate enough to support himself writing crime fiction, he's smarting from the uncharitable reviews given to his latest and most personal work. One night, Patti is having dinner with her best friend Kate (Debra Messing) when she bumps into Brian, who is out with his friend Murph (Edward Burns), who in turn used to be involved with Kate. As the former lovers talk about their past and where life has taken them, Patti finds herself falling for Brian all over again, but both she and Brian are still dealing with the differences and insecurities that drove them apart years before. Purple Violets received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Selma Blair, Patrick Wilson, (more)

- 2007
-
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Addison (Kate Walsh) undergoes a profound personal crisis as she mulls over the possibility of moving to LA's Oceanside Wellness Center (thereby setting the stage for the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice). Back in Seattle, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) learns that her stepmother Susan (Mare Winningham) is suffering from something far more serious than a bad case of hiccups. Alex (Justin Chambers) shows up for emotional support as Derek (Patrick Dempsey) performs emergency surgery on Ava (Elizabeth Reaser). And Burke (Isaiah Washington) and George (T.R. Knight) get quite an earful when they turn to Bailey (Chandra Wilson) for marital advice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read More

- 2006
- R
When a once-successful a cappella singing group reunites to perform at a fellow singer's wedding, regrets from the past and hopes for the future all come pouring out into the open in director Bruce Leddy's nostalgic reunion film. In college they were treated like rock stars, but these days life isn't so glamorous for the singers whose fleeting taste of fame preceded a humbling fall into relative obscurity. It's been 15 years since the group has performed together, but when one of their own prepares to take his wedding vows and requests that the group back him up, no one can resist the opportunity to recapture a little bit of that old magic. From the recently downsized Ted and the newly divorced Richard to music-studio peon Will and frustrated tech support guy Dave, the future just didn't turn out how these golden-voiced crooners had hoped; only the mellow Spooner and Los Angeles-based TV producer Steven seem truly fulfilled in their current status. But now their buddy Greg is getting married, and the time has come to celebrate his nuptials in song. As the largely frustrated but still talented lot arrives at Spooner's sprawling family beach house in order to rehearse for their performance, these longtime friends will finally have the opportunity to lay to rest longtime grudges, reveal longstanding secrets, and test the strength of their powerful bond on the eve of a life-altering event that promises to bring them closer together than ever before. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Molly Shannon, Mark Feuerstein, (more)

- 2006
-

- 2005
- PG
- Add Sweet Land to Queue
Add Sweet Land to top of Queue
A European exile finds herself a stranger in a strange land when she comes to the United States in this independent romantic comedy-drama. As a man ponders what to do with his family's estate after the death of his grandmother, he thinks back to how she first came to America shortly after World War I. Olaf (Tim Guinee) is a Norwegian-American farmer looking for a wife to share his home on the Minnesota prairie, and with eligible women in short supply locally, he sends away for a mail-order bride. Inge Ottenberg (Elizabeth Reaser) soon arrives at Olaf's doorstep, but while she's pretty, smart, and amiable, he's taken aback to discover she's not Norwegian but German, which after several years of anti-German propaganda does not make her popular with her new neighbors. Inge isn't very good with English, making it even harder to keep her background a secret, and the local pastor, Rev. Sorrensen (John Heard), is so outraged at the presence of a presumed Hun he refuses to perform their wedding. But Inge struggles to make friends with her new neighbors, in particular Olaf's best friend, Frandsen (Alan Cumming), a gadget fancier whose wife, Brownie (Alex Kingston), is better with mechanical items than he is. In time, Inge's cheerful nature and love of music begin to make an impression on the community as she shares her favorite tunes on her ever-present gramophone. Sweet Land was the first feature film from writer and director Ali Selim. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Read More
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Reaser, Tim Guinee, (more)