Hangin' With Archives

Red-haired actress Julianne Moore (smart but klutzy Allison in Evolution) got her start in T.V. soap operas, winning an Emmy for playing the role of twins on As the World Turns. She has proven herself equally adept in both mainstream blockbusters (The Lost World: Jurassic Park II) and smaller, more intelligent films (Cookie's Fortune). She has been nominated for both Golden Globe and Academy Awards. We spoke to Julianne recently in Los Angeles about her character, doing physical comedy and what it's like to kiss an actor she's only just met.

How did you get the acting bug?

I was inspired by literature. I read a lot as a kid and acting seems to be an extension of reading. For me it was always about the story and it wasn't until I started studying acting that I knew there were actors and directors out there.

You do some pretty physical stuff in this film, falls, etc. Are you trained for that?

Luckily, all those things that my parents paid for, stage combat classes, clown classes, fencing, at least I got to use it. It's a technique. I do know how to fall. It's serious business being funny.

This movie is so funny. How do you keep from losing your concentration?

Sometimes you do. I'd just have to look at David's ear or Orlando's arm. Not look in their eyes, because I'd laugh. It is pretty silly.

You've done so many serious roles (Hannibal, Boogie Nights, End of the Affair etc.). How did you feel about doing this broad comedy?

It's so nice not to have to cry, let me tell you. When I have a day when I don't have to cry, I'm very happy. It was a delight.

What did you think about your character?

Ivan (Reitman, the director) and I met and he said "What do you think of the role?" and I said well, she's not really funny. So that's when we thought about this physical comedy thing. I really didn't like the part until we added the comedy stuff. That's how it came about. He was game to make her somebody who is intellectually competent but physically awkward.

Were you familiar with David Duchovny's X-Files work?

Not at all. He said he'd directed a couple of them and I said, "Oh, I'd like to see those", so he gave tapes to me.

What about acting with a threat you can't see? (All the CGI aliens). You did it in Jurassic Park 2 as well. Is it hard?

As actors we're always having to adjust what we're doing for the camera anyway. It's just suspension of disbelief. You have to coordinate your looks with your fellow actors to make sure nobody's looking bored or aloof while the others are screaming "ahhhhhh".

Do they give you a sense of what you're supposed to be seeing?

You have an idea because there are renderings on the set and you take a look at what it's gonna be. Or Ivan would say, "Look, this is really BIG, you guys. You've gotta make a bigger face."

What are you working on now?

The World Traveler, a film that stars Billy Crudup, David Keith, Karen Allen. It's about a man (Billy) who is on a kind of road trip to find himself. I had to kiss him in front of my boyfriend. It was embarrassing. You don't want to have to do that with your boyfriend's golf buddy. It's terrible. I was tense.

What about all these kissing scenes in your previous movies? Is it weird?

I hate it. It gets easier after you've kissed them a couple of times because then you're sort of used to the person. Like in "The End of the Affair", I kissed Ralph (Fiennes) so often that it didn't even register after a while. You get kind of used to it but the first time is always terrifying because it's like I don't know this person, I don't want to do this. I feel goofy. It always makes me tense.