"Pearl Harbor"

So what did you learn about being a nurse for "Pearl Harbor"?

(Giggles) I learned how to give people shots, in the bum. There's a big inoculation scene and we had these poor volunteers who had to bare their bottoms for me. It wasn't real drugs, just saline, and I got quite good at it until the last one jumped in the air. Then I lost my confidence.

Is it true you had no idea that "Pearl Harbor" was such a big deal?

I honestly didn't. I read the script and loved it. It was never a case of, OK, I've done the indie movies, now it's time to do a big Hollywood blockbuster. I just loved the story so much, and my character who's kind of old-fashioned really appealed to me.

You have a big kissing scene with hot young star Josh Hartnett. How was that?

God, it was my very first day and I had to kiss him madly in the middle of the sea which was really difficult. We were splashing around and trying to stay afloat and we both ended up just spitting tons of salt water into each other's mouths, so I don't know how sexy it was. Kissing strangers in movies is never that easy either.

How was Ben?

He was great and he really helped me a lot as it was my first big film. He's just a great guy and very sweet. We all had a good time together, especially the girls.

Speaking of great guys, you and Michael seem to be very happy together.

Yeah, we are. We've been together since 1994 and it was only when I met him that my life really fell into place, and then we had Lily, so it's totally changed everything.

Is he very protective of you?

Yes, very, and I like that. He's protective of the people he loves, so I'm very glad I'm one of those.

Is it true that Michael got into a fist fight with Jeremy Northam, your co-star in "The Golden Bowl" when he came to visit you on the set?

Oh God, this story is going to follow me around forever. What happened was that I'd just got there so it was the first week of shooting, and no one was that organized or prepared as we'd all just arrived at the very last minute. So there was all that sort of pressure.
The thing is, there's all these pressures anyway, and different actors behave differently, and basically Jeremy and I had a disagreement about something. So I'm also taking care of Lily who was just six months old at the time and I was still breast-feeding and then Michael came down to the set to pick her up and suddenly sees this man yelling at me. So naturally he got very upset and that was that.
The truth is, he's never hit anyone before in his life and it was kind of shocking, but in a weird way it really broke the ice and it was all OK after that. I actually had a good time making the film.

Recently you've been called 'beautiful' and 'gorgeous,' but you've also said in the past, 'I'm got small breasts and a pointy face.' Are you insecure about your looks?

No, I think it's that weird thing where things I said when I was 18 or 19 have come back to haunt me. I've reached the conclusion recently that nobody should be allowed to speak to anybody in an interview until they're about 25 (laughs), because some of the things that come out of your mouth. You just go, 'Oh Jesus, I wish I'd never said that. ' It's just so uncomfortable if you're sitting there in an interview and someone tells you, 'You're really beautiful,' especially if you're British as you immediately go, 'No I'm not. '

Do you ever wake up, look in the mirror and get a fright?

(Giggles) God, most mornings. I'd say nearly every single morning. And motherhood makes it even tougher. You just realize that you're not in your own orbit anymore.

How do you view the current Hollywood trend of actresses trying to look anorexic?

I must say, the ones I've met haven't been anorexic-looking at all. I think there is that annoying thing that the camera does add a little weight to you. I read an article in a British newspaper recently which was talking about how normal tends to look fat on screen, and I immediately bristled. But I kind of know what they mean. It's part of the job, looking OK on camera. Milkmen have to get up really early and we have to go to the gym. It's just one of those things you have to do. But when it gets to the point where your hair's falling out and growing on your arms, then it's time to do something about it. I think that people who are visibly anorexic really ought to be put on a sabbatical.

Article by FeatsPress

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