| Drew Barrymore would be the first to admit she’s been lucky in her life. A child star from the age of six, when she appeared as Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s E.T, she’s since gone on to survive the pitfalls of Hollywood and become one of the most in-demand actresses working today. Not only that but she’s a partner in the immensely successful Flower Films with her friend Nancy Juvonen, a company that has so far recouped a staggering $1.2 billion. While this has been largely thanks to the two Charlie’s Angels films, in which she has co-starred with Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, she’s swift to point out she’s also been involved in more independent projects, most notably Richard Kelly’s cult hit Donnie Darko.
Never an actress to shy away from a challenge, this month she stars in Lucky You, a grippingly authentic Las Vegas-set gambling story co-written by director Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) and Eric Roth (The Insider). Cast opposite Eric Bana, who plays obsessive poker player Huck Cheever, Barrymore stars as Billie Offer, a new girl in town with dreams of making it as a Vegas lounge singer. As a character who pursues her path with an integrity and honesty, it couldn’t be more suited to the 32 year-old Barrymore, who follows her earlier romantic comedy hit this year, Music and Lyrics, with another role that shows us just what a talented singer she is.
Q: How important a film is Lucky You for you?
A: That was important for me because I love Curtis as a filmmaker so much, and it was a different character. I played the trailer of Music and Lyrics and Lucky You to my girlfriend the other day, and she went, ‘Wow, that’s two different people!’ If that’s the last compliment I get, then I’ll be happy. That just made me feel so good. I think the character I play in that is very different from the woman I play in romantic comedies.
Q: Why so?
A: She’s a singer – an off-the-beaten path lounge singer, who is trying to find her dreams and is never going to be successful, but at least is doing what she set out to do.
Q: Was it difficult to psyche yourself up to sing on camera?
A: Sometimes – at seven in the morning, in front of hundreds of people…but it’s true. That’s part of the awkwardness.
Q: Are you a good singer, do you think?
A: I’m really the worst singer ever, and the few times I’ve done karaoke, I’ve made people cry and vomit! I try as hard as I can not to torture people. But playing a singer was definitely fun because I did face fears. I was told before not to sing, and now I had two years where I’ve been singing more than usual. It was fun.
Q: Can you understand why musicians get performance anxiety?
A: Yeah! Maybe that’s why so many musicians go on drugs.
Q: Have you ever had a song written about you?
A: Not that I know of. There are rumours that there was one, but I never heard of the band and I don’t know the song. But, no…that would be interesting. Depending on what the lyrics were – ‘You scathing nasty bitch’. Hmm, no thank you. But, ‘You’re my inspiration’…sure, I’ll take it.
Q: Are you a hopeless romantic?
A: Sure. Always have been. Always will be.
Q: Do you still feel the romantic comedy is your forte?
A: I hope that I haven’t pigeonholed myself into people thinking that I’m not capable of more. Because I have definitely had really wonderful experiences in the few more dramatic or independent films that I’ve been involved with, and I hope to do more of those in the next few years. Riding With Cars With Boys, Donnie Darko and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, they were such fulfilling experiences. But I love seeing, watching and doing romantic comedies. They’re just a joy for me in my life. But, yeah, I definitely want to express as much range as possible.
Q: You also produce a lot now, for your company Flower Films. What does that give you?
A: I love it. I love being involved in every aspect. I think details in life are so exciting and I love film. But when Nancy and I do our films together, I care about the coffee cup that’s on screen, and the name of the character, the production design and the casting process, the writing – it’s all vital. I love fighting for that poster over this poster. So for me, I care so much about every detail, that producing was a way for me to be involved and have a sense of control and participation. I love sitting up at night, thinking, ‘This person has to play that character and I’m going to do everything I can and call them and show them why they’re supposed to do this.’ As an actor, sometimes you don’t get that involved. So I just love every aspect of filmmaking.
Q: So now you’re a producer, does this mean you’re ultra-efficient?
A: No! I am so irresponsible! I lose everything all the time. I lose one credit card every single week. I lose my house keys. I get locked out of my own car. I run out of gas. I’m completely a head-in-the-clouds type of person. But I think it’s because I’m always day-dreaming about creating things. Y’know, I’m talking about one thing, then it’s like ‘Oh, look over here!’ That’s where I lose that thing. My brain is always trying to think about what I can do.
Q: What does being a powerful producer make you feel now?
A: I’m psyched! I think everything has to be earned in life, but at the same time you have to be very grateful and work very hard. Having been on the other side of it as well, I’m just grateful for any opportunity. I think success, the definition of it, is employment.
Q: How do you feel now you’re getting older?
A: I don’t know. I’m just starting my thirties and I loved my twenties. I’m excited for what this decade will bring for sure.
Q: Do you feel like you want a family?
A: Er, some day. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain it when you don’t know it yourself. As I figure it out, I will definitely let you know.
Q: Is it difficult for a woman to combine a career and family?
A: I would think it’s the same for men, but we’ve seen them pull it off for many generations. I hope it will be another one of those eras now. It can be done! I believe that.
Q: You’re attached also to do Grey Gardens [the story of the eccentric aunt and first cousin to Jackie Kennedy who were both called Edith Bouvier Beale], right?
A: I can’t even talk about that. I’m so scared of it. All I want right now is to face different fears than I’ve faced before. I’m 32 and I don’t want my thirties to be a carbon copy of my twenties. I always want to face new challenges, and new fears and new heights. But when it comes to comedy, I’ll always stay loyal to it and love it because it’s what I enjoy doing and watching. So if there’s one thru-line in my life, it’ll be that.
Q: You were recently on the cover of French Vogue, shot by John Galliano. How did that happen?
A: He’s a dear friend of mine, as well as his partner Lexi, and I just love those guys. I couldn’t believe that John chose me for the cover. They did these two covers, which were great – this Yin and Yang. But for me, I love fashion and I love photography and I love getting to play in that field, and for me it’s all about doing the shoots, wearing the clothes and working with these master designers and brilliant photographers. So that was a very special day and one I won’t forget anytime soon.
Q: Finally, I must ask you about the documentary My Date With Drew, where an aspiring filmmaker gave himself 30 days to get a date with you…
A: That gentleman in particular is so lovely too. His name is Brian, and I did the film without having known him or seen the film, so I took a risk and went on instinct, and just listened to what he had to say. He seemed really innocent – and that’s exactly what he was. He found me as a vehicle to express himself artistically, and create this cool little film. I’m really glad I did it. I think he’s really, really sweet. |
