Roberts has had a pretty good career

Today is Julia Roberts ’ birthday. Hard to believe, but the woman is 42. Seems like just yesterday she was the tough young Daisy Arujo, of “Mystic Pizza,” who poured a catch of fish in Adam Storke’s sports car.

Now she’s a middle-age mom, no longer the A-list queen she used to be. And even though she’s never been given credit by some for either her looks or her acting ability, Roberts has starred in several decent films over the years.

Here, then, is a list of my favorite Julia Roberts movies:

“Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007): It’s not easy playing an over-the-top diva with a blond wig and vague Texas accent. But Roberts, paired with Tom Hanks as the real-life Texas Congressman Wilson, pulls it off.

“Closer” (2004): Straight drama this, with Robert having to confront Clive Owen’s intimidating gravity. She proves more than capable, though the movie, ultimately, is a total downer.

“Ocean’s Eleven” (2001): Another turn with Soderbergh, this one making Roberts a minor – if important – part of the ensemble. But she brings the right amount of grace to counteract George Clooney’s wackiness.

“Erin Brockovich” (2000): Finally, Roberts gets a role she can play with all her tools – the offbeat beauty, the hard edge, the vulnerability, the street smarts. Used well by Steven Soderbergh, Roberts walked off with the Oscar.

“Notting Hill” (1999): And speaking of pairing, matching Roberts with Hugh Grant is perfect. Roberts brings the right sense of gravity – she’s tough, hard, mistrusting, a lot like an adult Daisy Arujo – to counter Grant’s lightness. And his friends help out, too.

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997): Without the charm of Rupert Everett, this little bit of comic fluff might have wafted away without much trace. But Roberts and Everett together make a comic, if unlikely, romantic duo.

“The Pelican Brief” (1993): Even a John Grisham novel proved to be a perfect vehicle for Roberts, who was still caught in the action-oriented phase of her career. Here she connects, almost, with Denzel Washington.

“Sleeping with the Enemy” (1991): Nothing like a woman-in-danger flick to arouse compassion. Married to the seemingly perfect Martin (Patrick Bergin), who is really a possessive abuser, Roberts’ Laura escapes by faking her death. But forging a new life isn’t easy, and Martin won’t give up.

“Pretty Woman” (1990): I’m still amazed that this film, about a prostitute and a jerk of a rich businessman (played pitch perfect by Richard Gere), became such a popular love story. I credit Roberts’ charm, which even then the camera loved.

“Mystic Pizza” (1988): Exotic and tough is how I would describe Roberts’ portrayal of Daisy Arujo, the working-class young woman who falls for the rich guy (Adam Storke) and shows him that charm and money won’t get you everything.

Below: Scenes fron “Pretty Woman.”