I never understood her appeal

Pretty, unique looks, wide smile, sweet demeanor, big hair, cute shape.

I'm a female, no homo.

Julia Roberts obviously got into show business on her brother's name, but as soon as the door opened for her, agents, producers, managers, and other power-brokers saw something in her that added up to star quality. She became one of the most famous women in the world due to her box-office bankability, but in truth, she has been very lucky. Sally Field helped Julia focus in spite of Director Herb Ross's animosity towards her during the Steel Magnolias shoot, and then on the strength of that film, she was able to audition for Pretty Woman. Her rise to the top was pretty fast. It took less than six years (from 1985 to 1991), about the same time frame that it took for Marilyn Monroe (from 1946 to 1952) to hit the big time.

I must confess that I like her films more than I like her, mainly because she has been such a man-eater by scalping not a few attached men away from their wives and girlfriends. James Spada, the author of best-sellers on Grace Kelly and Peter Lawford, wrote the only in-depth biography on J.R. titled Julia, which confirmed much of this. It is amazing that once she finally settled down with the previously married hottie Danny Moder, she has never looked at another man. Monogamy, marriage, motherhood, and middle-age suit her absolutely. Also, she was able with some grace to give up the limelight, which nearly all celebrities have found hard to do.

Julia is a film phenomenon past her prime, but oh what a prime it was.

My ten personal J.R. favorites: Pretty Woman, Sleeping With the Enemy, the Pelican Brief, Notting Hill, Charlie Wilson's War, Conspiracy Theory, Erin Brockovich, Closer, My Best Friend's Wedding, and Mona Lisa Smile.

Ok, then who do you consider to be a great actress? Enlighten us with your (supposedly) great taste!

People are allowed to have different opinions.
The OP is right, anyways. Julia Roberts isn't some great actress who deserves to be critically acclaimed in everything she does.
How on earth does the woman have an Oscar, but Amy Adams and Glenn Close don't?

She is not my type either. Face too long, nose too big. Not ugly, but not overly pretty either. Maybe slightly above average. Many like her smile but I find it creepy. Never understood the hype.

The only movie -Sleeping with the Enemy.
Otherwise, she doesn't have the X-factor!
BTW, 

I think it's her hair! During her heyday, she had such gorgeous, messy, unruly curly hair. I always thought that messy hair emit a sense of freedom and carelessness and it's a shame that this hairstyle is not so fashionable now as it was during the 90's.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiPe5mlPDaU/VGp646M9xsI/AAAAAAAAIW0/cOzRGrX7ETs/s1600/18-julia-roberts.jpg

https://filmfork-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/content/Slice%20of%20Heaven_Mystic%20Pizza.jpg

She is also witty, energetic, and charismatic and although I agree that her acting is somewhat limited, I do enjoy her as an actress and I like many of her roles (My best friend's wedding, Hook, Sleeping with the enemy, Everyone says I love you, The pelican brief, Conspiracy theory). As for her being self - obsessed, I don't know if it is true but I think she has some right to be, as she is - or at least was - a major leading Hollywood actress.

Because she could/can make you smile. She did so in "Pretty Woman" which is something unheard of. She actually made you a human and the rest of society smile. That is what she can do. That is not something anyone can do. Its like Whitney Houston singing, its like Michael Jordan shooting a basket ball,, its like Madonna getting 50,000 people on their feet at a concert It is an unheard of Parnell that separates her from the rest of society and man kind. She is truly one of a kind for the fact she can make you smile. That is why the movie "pretty woman" grosses so high at the box office because of her appeal that is something truly special and magical about that.

Julia isn't here to be a sex symbol like Pamela Anderson or get men to jack off to her. She is here to be an actress, because she wants to be. Not because you want her to be. She is just someone simply lucky enough to have the talent to command to come see her at the box office as to why she is so hyped up. Until another exists is when well never will happen.

I don't know Audrey Hepburn, I don't know Bette Davis. I only know Julia Roberts that is what actress to me will always be and that is what an actress is to me.