Jennifer Connelly: A woman that has it all

 

 

By Eva James

 

Esposa Joven (Mexico)

February 2007

Translated by Elizabeth Meath

 

A possessor of indisputable beauty, Jennifer Connelly, at the age of 36, is one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood. While appearing in two major Hollywood productions in 2007, Jennifer also maintains a strong family life free of scandals.

Who would have thought that the young girl of 11 years dancing in that old shop in Once Upon A Time In America (1984) would one day win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for A Beautiful Mind (2001)? Connelly’s career includes more than 30 films, along with some diverse cinematographer critics awards.

This year she appears on the movie screen in Blood Diamond, a production shot in Africa, sharing screen credits with Leonardo DiCaprio. The film depicts the exploitation of workers in the diamond mines of Sierra Leone. Jennifer will also be appearing in the multi-awarded Little Children, directed by Todd Filed.

In this interview we will get to know more about Jennifer, her more intimate secrets, as well as her personal history with precious stones.

The Secrets of a Beautiful Mind:

At the age of 10 Jennifer Connelly was doing publicity spots and working as a model. During the first five years of her career she was appearing in films that did not have box office success and were not well known. These included Some Girls (Michael Hoffman), The Hot Spot (Dennis Hopper) and Career Opportunities (Brian Gordon). But in the 1990s she started climbing bubbles, participating in films that met with commercial success, such as Higher Learning (John Singleton), Mulholland Falls (Rita McQuarie) and Inventing the Abbotts (Pat O’Connor). By the start of the new millennium Jennifer came into her own through her involvement in several great projects. In 2000 she shot to amazing success in Requiem for a Dream, and in 2005 she starred in the block buster suspense thriller Dark Water. In 2008 she will be appearing in the drama Reservation Road, where she will share credits with Joaquin Phoenix, Mira Sorvino and Mark Ruffallo.

Sweating Blood:

Q: What made you participate in Blood Diamond?

A: After reading the script, I came to the conclusion that it was a strong story, a good action-drama, and at the same time it talked about different issues that are very relevant today.

Q: What was the most difficult scene in the movie?

A: I must say that I loved acting in this movie, so there were no big obstacles to overcome, only my own self-imposed goal of continually improving my performance. Besides that, it was a pleasure to work with Dijmon Honsous, Leonardo DiCaprio, Arnold Bosloue, and of course director Ed Zwick. Every one of them had a great sense of humor. I also loved filming in Mozambique and South Africa.

Q: You met many women in Sierra Leone while doing your research for this movie. What did this experience mean to you?

A: It was incedible and very useful. I allowed myself to be more conscious of the situation that some African societies confront, and the importance of helping this nation. I also got to know their lifestyle, what things they like; things that helped me to design the physical image, feeling and details of my character.

Q: You worked almost a year in Africa. What was the experience that stayed the most in your memory?

A: I think everything…the film represented exactly what happened in those lands…one of the biggest tragedies of our time.

Q: In what way has this production changed the way you see the diamond trade?

A: I’ve become a more ethical consumer. Every time that I acquire one, I ask the company to certify that their stones don’t come from areas of conflict. Recognized jewellers like Bulgare and Tiffanys offer this kind of warranty in writing.

Only a click:

Q: Talk about your character. Who really is Maddy Bowen?

A: (laughs) She is a reporter that possesses a creative spirit and lives with enthusiasm and dedication. She has an inflexible attitude to her work. Always tries to make things rights, with absolute energy. Her love for life takes her to experience new adventures.

Q: One of Maddy’s conflicts is whether to be a reporter that gets involved with her work. What do you think about that?

A: I consider that she is the type of woman capable of getting into any situation with integrity and ethics. Her interest is to achieve, through her work as a reporter, positive changes in society.

Q: Did you learn to be a paparazzi?

A: Yes, I did. I took several photographs with a leica camera, an old 35 millimetre model. I think I got very good results with it.

Q: Are the photographs that we see in the movie taken by you?

A: No, the photos that are seen in the film were taken after I took mine.

Q: Will you publish your photographs?

A: I don’t know, maybe. I got the negatives…If somebody is interested in them, they will have to let me know.

Q: How did you feel working with Leonardo DiCaprio?

A: Fine, very good. I think that the chemistry between us translated into an excellent working relationship. As I said, I respect him very much and I enjoy his work…he looks after details and he is always able to support his craft and colleagues. He is very generous. He was delightful. That’s why it was a pleasure to talk about scenes, planning them and shooting them together.

Q: Do you think that there should have been a more romantic relationship between your character and Leo’s?

A: No, I like the balance that developed. I think that they both needed to overcome too many things to be able to have a romantic relationship. Nevertheless, the attraction was always present. They show interest in each other and they could respect each other. She was able to see his good side and understand that in difficult situations no one is completely good or completely bad. Maybe, in different circumstances they would have had time to be together….

Q: Then, your character puts work first instead of love?

A: No, she sort of wants it all. I think that she would love to have a great romance, but not at the expense of her work.

The Connelly motif:

Q: What is the most difficult thing about being a mom and an actress?

A: Nothing. I am very lucky to have the luxury to adjust my schedule to be able to combine my work with my family life. Regularly, I try to have my children come with me to the set.

Q: Were you be able to take them to Africa with you?

A: Yes. The little one, Stellan, was with me all the time. On the other hand, Kai, who’s 9 years old, because of his school responsibilities in the middle of the shooting, only stayed for five to six weeks; then he went back home with his father.

Q: What did the trip mean to Stellan and Kai?

A: It was a great experience. We went on safari, which allowed them the opportunity to see wild animals directly and be in contact with nature. The most important thing is that they could appreciate the lifestyle of the kids in Mozambique and Muputu: I consider that for both of them it was very educational and touching.

Q: We know that you perform home made theatre plays for your kids...

A: Yes, when we have time we like to make theatrical plays, shoot films and musical videos.

Q: Do you think they will decide to follow your steps into acting?

A: I don’t know. It will be a pleasure to see them grow and support them in every one of their decisions. In the meantime I don’t think that any of them will decide for this career…we will see.

Away from royalty:

Q: In your new film, Little Children, you perform another dark role. Will you become the queen of creepiness?

A: [laughs] No. It’s just a role, you know very well that I am not going to transform into someone unpleasant, someone creepy.

Q: Could you tell us what this film is about?

A: Little Children is a drama in which a couple (Patrick Wilson and I) become involved in a love triangle with Kate Winslet. In this production, the director, Todd Field, talks about how human relations can be casual or random but, above all, presents how a single decision can change your life.

Q: We notice that in the promotional ad, your image is not very emphasized…

A:  I think it was very positive for my career to be involved in this project, peforming a woman that wants to experience it all; to learn the most possible and to make the best possible.

Q: After 20 years in the business, what is the most important thing you’ve learned?

A: [!] [laughs] I don’t know if there is only one relevant thing. I think that every project has left me a lesson.

Q: How do you keep your feet on the ground in Hollywood?

A: Not living there. I only go for interviews and premieres. My life is in New York with my kids and my husband: there I find the balance that I need to be happy.