Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably remember the pastel-colored, bubblegum-scented era of the "flight attendant comedy." It was a specific vibe. And right in the middle of that mile-high trend was a movie called View from the Top. While the film was marketed as a vehicle for Gwyneth Paltrow’s transition into "relatable" comedy, most people walked away talking about someone else entirely. Christina Applegate basically walked onto the set and decided to steal every scene she was in.
She played Christine Montgomery. She wasn't the hero. Honestly, she was kind of a mess, but in that delicious, high-fashion-trashy way that only 2003 could produce.
The Role Most People Missed
In the movie, Christina Applegate is the foil to Paltrow’s Donna Jensen. While Donna is the wide-eyed dreamer from a trailer park in Nevada, Christine is the friend who... well, let’s just say her moral compass is a bit wavy. They both want the same thing: to fly for Royalty Airlines, the "gold standard" of the skies.
You’ve got to love the dynamic. Applegate doesn't just play a "mean girl." She plays a person who is desperately trying to shortcut her way to the top. It’s a nuanced bit of comedy that often gets buried under the film's broader slapstick.
Remember the soap scene?
It sounds small. It is small. Christine steals decorative soaps from their mentor’s house. It’s such a petty, weirdly human character flaw. That tiny moment of kleptomania eventually sets up the entire third-act conflict where Christine switches their test scores.
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Why View from the Top Was a Turning Point
At this point in her career, Christina Applegate was still shaking off the "Kelly Bundy" ghost. Everyone knew her as the ditzy daughter from Married... with Children. By the time 2003 rolled around, she was proving she could do more than just punchlines about hairspray.
She was coming off the success of The Sweetest Thing (2002) and was about to hit her stride with Anchorman a year later. View from the Top was this weird, experimental middle ground.
- It showed she could play a villain you actually enjoyed watching.
- She held her own against heavy hitters like Mike Myers and Candice Bergen.
- She proved her physical comedy was top-tier.
Have you seen the fight scene? The one in first class?
It’s ridiculous. It involve bread. Yes, bread. Christine and Donna basically have a full-on brawl in the middle of a plane cabin. Most actors would make that look cheesy. Applegate makes it look like she’s actually having the time of her life being a total nightmare.
The Production Turbulence Nobody Talks About
Look, the movie itself didn't have the smoothest flight. It was filmed around 2001 but didn't hit theaters until March 2003. Why? The world changed. Specifically, the events of 9/11 made a lighthearted comedy about airplanes a very "tough sell" for a while.
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When it finally came out, critics weren't exactly kind. They called it "comedic drivel" and "manufactured fluff." But here’s the thing: those critics often missed the "vaudeville" energy the cast was bringing.
The movie is weirdly obsessed with the 1960s aesthetic while being set in the present day. It's confusing. Is it 1986? Is it 2003? The costumes say "Jackie O," but the plot says "Small town girl makes it big in New York." Despite the identity crisis of the film, Applegate’s performance is the one thing that feels consistent. She knew exactly what kind of movie she was in.
A Masterclass in Being "The Rival"
Being the antagonist in a romantic comedy is a thankless job. You’re there to be the obstacle. Yet, Applegate’s Christine Montgomery feels like a real person you probably went to high school with. She's the girl who thinks she's smarter than she is and is perpetually jealous of anyone who actually works hard.
It’s a specific archetype.
Applegate leans into the "trashy-chic" look—lots of blue eyeshadow, questionable highlights, and an attitude that screams "I'm better than this town."
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Why We Should Revisit It Now
Looking back from 2026, our perspective on Christina Applegate has changed so much. We know her now as a powerhouse of resilience, especially with her public battle with MS and her incredible final run in Dead to Me. Seeing her in View from the Top is like looking at a snapshot of a performer at the peak of her physical comedy powers.
She was fearless.
She wasn't afraid to look "dumb" or "mean" or "messy."
If you haven't watched it in twenty years, it’s worth a re-watch just for the chemistry between the flight attendant trio (Applegate, Paltrow, and the late, great Kelly Preston). The movie might be fluff, but the performances are iron-clad.
What You Can Do Next
If you're feeling nostalgic for that specific era of comedy, don't just stop at the movies.
- Check out the outtakes. The View from the Top blooper reel is actually funnier than the movie itself. It shows just how much the cast was trying to make each other crack up.
- Watch "The Sweetest Thing" right after. It’s the perfect double-feature. It shows Applegate playing the "supportive best friend" role versus the "sabotaging rival" role.
- Listen to her podcast. Christina has been very open about her life and career lately. It gives so much context to the hard work she put into these "easy" comedies back in the day.
The industry doesn't really make movies like this anymore. They’re mid-budget, slightly experimental, and totally focused on star power. And while View from the Top might not be a "cinematic masterpiece," Christina Applegate’s performance is a reminder that she’s always been one of the best in the business.
Go back and watch the "test score" scene. Pay attention to her face when she realizes she’s been caught. That’s pure comedic gold.