A Deeper Shade of Scarlett/ Scarlett Johansson Interview - V26 Nov/Dec 2003

Suddenly, Scarlett

If you didn't know better, it might seem that Scarlett Johansen has suddenly come out of nowhere, exploding across countless magazine covers and movie screens over the past year to the loud applause of critics and moviegoers alike. Scarlett, however, is no mere ingenue. In fact, at the ripe old age of 18, she's something of an industry veteran, having acted since the age of seven in movies like Manny & Lo and The Horse Whisperer before blooming into more grown up parts like those in Ghost World and The Man Who Wasn't There. In fact, it was her tone-perfect portrayal of teenage ennui in Ghost World left her poised to become one of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood, a position sure to be secured after this year's release of Sophia Coppola's dreamy Lost in Transalation and the lovely period piece Girl with a Pearl Earring. Not surprisingly, Scarlett Johansen proves to be as intelligent, curious and smartly funny as her choices in movie roles would suggest. If it were possible to define what it is to be absolutely cool in 2003 then Scarlett-with her canny choices in roles and seemingly unlimited talent, not to mention that scotch and cigarettes voice and pouty lips that would give Angelina Jolie a run for her money-surely defines it.

TCR: So,what got you interested in doing Girl with a Pearl Earring?

SJ: Well, the script was so great, so unbelievable, and that so rarely happens. Not only that I read good scripts but that there are good scripts. As soon as I finished reading it and put it down I knew I wanted to do this so badly.

TCR: Your performance is really interesting because, with a character so restrained, you can't really be too showy. She rarely ever speaks. There aren't a lot of instances where you have long, cathartic l conversation about the way that you feel. . .

SJ: Absolutely. That's one thing that was so appealing to me when I read the script. As an actor, to be able to convey what you are thinking and have all the restrictions that are placed on this character because of the time period, the character's class level, and with the other characters being so overpowering. It was such a dream role in that way. . . I mean, gosh, it's almost like being in a silent movie or something.

Luckily, I had such an amazing cast who made me feel really secure and protected, I was able to be totally vulnerable and get into it and not always feel like I had to protect myself. I couldn't be more grateful for the great cast. Tom (Wilkinson), who was just so nasty and terrifying in his role, and Colin (firth) was so passionate and wonderful. I felt very protected. It was so interesting, often what you planned or they way you thought you'd feel during a particular scene would come out completely different when you shot it. . . it was a fascinating exercise.

TCR: was it a hard movie to make?

SJ: yeah, well, it was hard in the sense that it was totally freezing. we filmed it in Luxemburg and it was freezing. it was physically draining and emotionally draining, but it was a really smooth production.

TCR: was this filmed around the same time you shot Lost in Translation?

SJ: I wrapped lost in translation and shot Girl with a Pearl Earring 10 days later

TCR: wow. so, you went from japan to Luxemburg.

SJ: yeah, it was crazy.

TCR: You've been making movies for how long?

SJ: I've been making movies for 11 years.

TCR: You've been able to make interesting choices. You never really made a lot of lame teen comedies or played the "pretty girlfriend" parts. . .

SJ: Oh yeah, I know, I've been really fortunate in that way ever since I was really, really young. Even the films I did before I did Manny & Lo were great little girl parts. I just love, love, love making movies. The whole process of making a film is so great, such an adventure. I feel so excited about coming to work the first day, meeting the transportation department and the crew, I get as excited about that as I do about going into rehearsals and meeting the other actors. I love the excitement of getting an incredible script and knowing that you can play the part and that you are perfect for the role and that you can do it. The whole experience of the production and seeing the final work is so exciting for me, and I feel like probably a big part of me having that passion comes from the fact that I've really never had to cave in, you know?

TCR: How difficult has that been? I assume that there have been plenty of chances for you to do movies that might be really huge career-wise but also perhaps really terrible movies.

SJ: Oh, of course there is the pressure of that, always. There are always people saying you can be huge from doing this film where you become a, I don't know, whatever, a Cinderalla story blah, blah, blah. . . and, I won't lie, it can be appealing at times, but I like to think that I've often played sort of heroine-type roles, where the character is some kind of driving force. I like to play characters that sort of hold up some mirror of reality to the other characters. . . I try and play characters that shed some light on things.

TCR: that makes sense, it's totally true in Ghost World.

SJ: Rebecca is the reality of that movie. She brings the reality. She's the voice of "I'm ready to move forward, to get an apartment, to be a real person now." I think it's also true of Griet in Pearl, the whole house is in turmoil when she leaves and all of the underlying stuff that was there and hidden at the beginning has been brought up and revealed by the end.

TCR: Do you get recognized a lot?

SJ: I like to think that I'm pretty unrecognizable. I do get recognized sometimes, but I'm pretty low-key, I don't have to walk around with a wig and sunglasses. I haven't had to pull a Michael Jackson yet.

TCR: Have you read any outrageous lies about yourself in the press yet? I don't think I've ever read anything bad about you.

SJ: Not really. Of course, being a young actor in Hollywood I have tons and tons of gossip, but I'm like a big sponge, I take in all the gossip and never let it out, which is why so much of the good gossip comes my way. I just love it. You know, everybody likes a good story now and again. But, I really don't have too much drama around me. There are plenty of things you could probably gossip about me, but I'm pretty private, and I haven't really done anything to embarrass myself. . .

TCR: Not yet, Scarlet, not yet.

SJ: Right!

TCR: Do you find that Hollywood is as ridiculous as most people might imagine it to be?

SJ: (chuckles) What do you mean by ridiculous?

TCR: You know, you always hear about actors being so awful, and everyone being so crazy and having such huge unsupportable egos...typical Hollyword stereotype stuff.

SJ: Well, it never ceases to amaze me. I mean, I'm constantly being surprised by all kinds of funny things in Hollywood. It's a really funny place, you know? But I've not always felt that way. . . . Hollywood can really eat you up, and if you don't protect yourself, you can be stuck in a terrible, terrible place, feeling depressed and unwanted. But, there are also a lot things about Hollywood that are wonderful. I love getting to meet lots of really eclectic, creative people and having these hysterical conversations about things. . . I love actors. I love this business, and as much as sometimes it can really be depressing and bizarre, I choose to just find it all hysterical and funny. It is depressing when you read so many terrible scripts that people are producing and putting money into and it's like, Why are you putting money into this, why can't you put money into this other wonderful script that I've had forever ?. . . but then, hopefully, you get to make films that you really love.

TCR: It must be fun being a hot young actor, you must get to do a lot of cool stuff, right?

SJ: Oh my god, it's so fun. Are you kidding? Award shows? It's hysterical! Anyone who says it's not fun is just jaded and obnoxious. There is nothing better than turning to your right and seeing somebody. . . I don't know, like Tom Cruise or something, and then turning to your left and seeing someone like Peter O'Toole. It's like, whoa, I'm in the same room as The Rock and Peter O'toole. This is just bizarre.

- T. Cole Rachel