A mind of her own

 

 

By Jane Gardner

NW Magazine

March 4, 2002

 

The thought of starring opposite Russell Crowe would make some actors run for their trailers. But Jennifer Connelly, who earned a Golden Globe award for her role opposite Big Russ in A Beautiful Mind, wasn't going to let herself be intimidated by the Australian.

"I didn't know what to expect from him," she says. "I think he's used to people bowing down when they meet him because he's very charismatic, very bright and has such a strong presence. After a while, I was able to stand up to him, and then we had a great relationship. I think he respects people who can hold their own."

Jennifer says Russell's not necessarily the macho guy everyone likes to make out. "I certainly saw another side of him. He was extremely supportive of me. When I had a sniffle, he'd run into his trailer and get me a vitamin drink or some fruit to eat. He'd tell me I should be eating almonds for protein and would go and get them for me." She pauses. "He was really nice, but we had to find our way - and I'm glad we did."

The 31-year-old, raven-haired beauty (Esquire magazine recently cited her eyebrows as one of "162 Reasons it's Good to be an American Man") began modeling at 10. The daughter of a clothing manufacturer and an antique dealer, she was born and raised in New York.

Early in her career, Jennifer starred in forgettable films such as the The Rocketeer. But these days directors take her very seriously - especially after her performances in Pollock, where she played artist Jackson Pollock's lover, and her gritty portrayal of a drug addict in the harrowing Requiem for a Dream.

As far as her private life goes, Jennifer has a son, Kai, four, from a relationship with photographer David Dugan. She is currently dating actor Josh Charles (TV's Sports Night). Although she won't talk about her love-life, like most mothers, she's happy to talk about her son. "Kai's great. He's got such a tough personality and he's so independent," she gushes.

In A Beautiful Mind, Jennifer plays Alicia, the wife of schizophrenic and mathematical genius John Nash (Crowe). It was a grueling experience for which she has received an Oscar nomination. "It was exhausting and draining, but for me the best kind of work. I was really passionate about it and was fulfilled completely playing this woman," Jennifer says.

When the actress first came to Hollywood, she was described as "a young Elizabeth Taylor", and despite her obvious beauty, she still feels insecure at times. "There are some implausible standards out there," she says of Hollywood's women and their diminishing dress sizes. "It's really sad when I spend time with girls who are 11 years old and think they're fat...

"It's unfortunate we market everything towards sex and desirability. It puts a lot of pressure on everyone. It's hard not to compare yourself to other people and it's so destructive and pointless," she says. "Intellectually, I get it and I spend a lot of time doing yoga and have read a lot of philosophy, but even I get sucked in sometimes."

Stunning as she is, Jennifer has been asked to "improve" her appearance by producers, recalling, "When I was about 22 and did The Rocketeer, I remember being told I had to lose weight and was horrified."

"I love actresses like Kate Winslet, Liv Tyler or Drew Barrymore who will go out there and say, 'I'll be the weight I'm going to be,' and, 'This is me.' These are women who by all standards are not large, but by Hollywood standards they're more generous. And God bless them. There should be more diversity. There are all different kinds of beauty in the world. I mean, why aren't mothers glorified? Instead, sex goddesses are glorified!"

Maybe Jen will change all that and be the first globally glorified mum? She laughs. "Sure, why not?"