FIVE STAR TURNS

Speed 1994

After solid performances in The Vanishing and Demolition Man, Bullock put pedal to the metal in this gas-guzzling thriller, holding her own against action-man-du-jour Keanu reeves.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING 1995

Bullock considers this – in which she pretends to be the fiancée of a man in a coma – her breakout role, probably because it launched her as America’s favourite girl next door and led to a string of successful romcoms.

MISS CONGENIALITY 2000

At the height of her hollywood powers, Bullock displays a gift for physical comedy, trashing her squeaky-clean image playing a hard-living cop, and doing her own stunts – including the fight with Benjamin Bratt.

THE BLIND SIDE 2009

the one that landed her a Best Actress Oscar, and saw Bullock transformed into brassy blonde Leigh Anne tuohy, who adopts a homeless boy. Saccharine, but also riveting proof that Bullock could ace dramatic roles.

GRAVITY 2013

Demanding the suspension of both Bullock physically and the audience’s sense of disbelief, this space odyssey features a never-more-emotional turn from the actress as an astronaut lost in space.