|
CountingDown.com
May 10, 2005
CD Exclusive: 'Monster-in-Law' Junket Interviews!
By Susanne Robbins
SPOILERS!
As I walked into the Four Seasons for the Monster-In-Law press junket, I kept thinking to myself, please don't say anything or do anything stupid. Yes ladies and gents this was my first Press Junket, I was a virgin to the Junket land. I wasn't sure if there was some type of ritual to go through after all I was going to be sitting across from Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez. Surely I would have to endure some type of ritualistic, robe wearing ritual singing. Not so much, the experience was wonderful. I expected to see JLo filing her nails and scowl at every question, I found her to be very pleasant. Wanda Sykes had me on the floor as she will in this film. Wanda and Jane truly steal the show. I expected Jane to talk about old Hollywood and her new book - well that part was true. Michael Vartan, was just well he is just hottie Michael Vartan, I think he spoke I don't remember. The movie is fun and hilarious, and I found the actors to be equally the same. I hope you enjoy. Oh and I did do something stupid, but read on first and I'll tell you about it later.
Wanda Sykes:
Q: Robert (The Director) told us we could put a pen in front of you and you could talk about it for an hour.
Who said that? Robert exaggerates, well Robert drinks. No he would do things like that, there is a scene when I am listening to Jennifer and Jane at the door, and he had an idea and asked me stay late and make up some stuff. You know the crew just loves that after a 14 hour day. It is stressful when someone tells you to be funny. But it was great he encourages that.
Q: How was it working with Jane?
At first it was very intimidating, but after meeting her she was just so sweet so great and down to earth.
Q: How was it working with Jennifer?
I was waiting to see all this craziness this big Diva. I expected back up dancers to be following her to the set. I learned all the words from her albums cause I thought she would just question us to sing "Jenny from the Block" but it was nothing like that. She was very nice, very professional. She was a lot of fun, made me feel very comfortable.
Jane Fonda:
Q: You have been away for awhile what brought you back?
15 years actually, 15 years ago when I quit the business I was miserable. I was miserable as a woman, I was living in my head I was sort of plowing on with will power and you can't be creative and be living on will power. I didn't know that this is what I was doing I just know that everyday I would go to work and I would just be so scared it would be agony and I said I don't want to be scared anymore I want out. Then I met Ted Turner and I didn't have to work anymore (laughs). I was so relieved, and in the last 15 years I have become a different person. And about a year and a half ago I thought gosh I wonder if I could get back in it and have joy again. Right about that time this character (Viola) came along and I have never played a character like her before, she was really swinging from the fences and laughter comes easy to me now, it didn't use to.
Q: When you look back on your career which films stand out?
A Oh Klute, On Golden Pond, Coming Home and the Dollmaker. "They shoot horses" was a turning point for me.
Michael Vartan:
Q: What was it like working with Jane Fonda? Were you a particular fan of hers?
I was definitely nervous the night before, tossing and turning. I didn't know what to expect. Just go there, shut your mouth do as you are told. I was struck at how well I think she took me under her wing and Jennifer did the same thing, they made me feel like I belonged here and that was very sweet.
Q: Did you enjoy working with Jennifer?
Yes I did, you know working with both of them they are such icons, they are both sort of diverse in their interest and what they do. Jennifer is such a good actress and I kept forgetting oh you are also a huge pop star and you own your own clothing line. The first couple of days I was definitely nervous and intimidated. I was mostly nervous about the two of them getting along. I though if these two ladies do not get along this will be a disaster, but luckily they loved each other.
Q: How is different doing a light hearted comedy like this compared to the role you play on Alias?
In terms of acting the parts this was a fun easy job and Alias in a weird way it has become easy, when you do a character for so long there's not much preparation to be had. TV is a grind though we have 8 days to shoot a mini bond movie. I wouldn't have it any other way, but it is really hard work. Monster-in-Law was a summer vacation.
Jennifer Lopez:
Q: Tell us about your Monster-in-Law experiences.
A lot of Monster in Law war stories just from getting beat up a lot from Miss Fonda. But it was fun it was a good set. I looked forward to going everyday, she made it a great experience.
Q: Do you identify with your character somehow?
In a way I do, because she does a lot of different things but for different reasons. I think Charlie (character) is more indecisive about her life she doesn't really want to commit to anything. I am more decisive about my life. We are both creative. This film got me more into the physical side of comedy.
Q: What was it like working with Jane?
You know one of the great things about working with Jane, is that it really gave me a glimpse into what it must have been like when movies were different. She worked in a different era, where it was more about plays, and stories and Midnight Cowboys. Just the whole kind of package deal you used to get back then. People seem to take less chances and it is more about the big blockbuster. She was amazing though she would get there and be very prepared. We would have the work on the page and then other ways to do the scene. Jane and I really had a great respect for each other.
Q: I just wanted to ask about Michael and how the chemistry developed.
I think Michael is just sort of born for these roles. If you get Michael Vartan you are lucky because he is like the perfect boyfriend person. He is so sweet he is very genuine he is very real. He doesn't put on airs what you see is what you get.
I hope you enjoyed taking the journey with me. Please don't forget to look for my review on Friday. Oh the stupid thing I did? Towards the very end of the conference with JLo, I looked at my recorder and I had run out of tape. I tried to push the stop button as I had a thousand times before that day. Somehow I pushed something else and the most God awful noise came from my recorder. I am surprised you could not hear my heart beat in Texas . I was bright red and then just figured ahhh well that was your initiation.
© CountingDown.com 2005
 Back To Monster-in-Law Expositions
|
|
