Jennifer Connelly
Spotlight By: Benjamin Lee
Jennifer Connelly has never taken the easy route to stardom.
Best known for her skillful portrayals of damaged women, her films have been a world away from the typical chick flicks many of her peers find themselves in. From her harrowing portrayal of a drug addict forced into extreme situations in Requiem for A Dream to her unflinching performance as a recovering alcoholic hurtling towards tragedy in House of Sand and Fog, she's no stranger to the dark side.
For her new film Blood Diamond, Connelly stars as an American journalist who is intent of exposing the illegal diamond trafficking crisis which tore apart Sierra Leone in the early 90s. It's a controversial topic, one which has already caused worry from US government officials who fear the movie may effect the legitimate African diamond business. Connelly believes the diamond trafficking which persisted in Africa is 'one of the great tragedies of our time'
Despite this, Connelly relished the chance to play a character who isn't all doom and gloom. 'I had a fantastic time playing this woman who is out to experience all she can' she admits, 'I loved her spirit and her enthusiasm, her dedication, her unflinching commitment to her work and to accomplishing something good but also her absolute zest and love of life and adventure.'
In order to understand her character fully, Connelly was keen to do as much research as she possibly could. 'I met with a number of women who were in Sierra Leone at that time writing about the diamond conflict' she recalls, 'I got a lot of practical everyday information - what kind of notebook did she use, what kind of shoes did she wear so I could make some specific character choices. A lot of the information was very harrowing and I think the film gives a good glimpse of what I heard from these women.'
While many of her counterparts, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman for example seem to be starring in every other film released these days, Jennifer Connelly seems much more precise over which roles she wants to play. Since 2001, Connelly has only made 6 movies, compared to 13 for Nicole Kidman. For her, it's all about the script. 'I thought it was a very powerful script and a very powerful story' she expresses, 'I thought it would make a very moving and exciting film. I thought how fantastic to make a good solid action drama that is at the same time able to raise questions and talk about some important issues that are still relevant today'
The issue of diamond-trafficking is one which has been reintroduced recently into news publications with the release of the movie. It's something which Connelly herself believes shouldn't be ignored by Western consumers. 'I'm wearing diamond earrings right now that are from Bvlgari' she states, 'I've done research into retailers that can certify that their diamonds are conflict-free. I don't think that the film suggests a boycott on African diamonds. I think what I got out of the film was a desire to be a more ethical consumer.'
While Jennifer Connelly has been acting since the age of 12, her career was only truly transformed into that of an A-lister with the release of A Beautiful Mind. She played the dedicated wife role to such acclaim that it won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. 'It was a huge honor' Connelly gushes 'And it was for a film which I had a wonderful time making. Winning an award for it was like icing on the cake for such a lovely experience. I always love making the films and if people appreciate them then that's wonderful'
While the acclaim is important, the experience is what makes it matter for Connelly. Blood Diamond being another film which she found hugely fulfilling. 'I have to say it was a joy making the film' she admits, 'I loved my time there, so externally there were no huge obstacles to overcome. The cast were a delight. Djimon and Leo were both fantastic to work with. I loved being in Mozambique and South Africa. For Connelly, despite being widely considered as one of the most talented actresses working within Hollywood today, it's her own opinion that can get the better of her. 'The most challenging thing I would say would be my own head' she confesses, 'My conviction that I could always do better and be better.'
Taking a look at the film on paper, one would assume there would be a romance between Connelly and co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, but the film subtly hints at an attraction without explicitly stating it, a rarity in modern film. It was a subtlety which attracted Connelly to the movie. 'I really like the balance that is struck here in the film' she expresses, 'There's a lot for them to overcome but finally she does see the good that is in his character. She gains respect for him and there is an attraction but it's not cheap.'
Even though she was working on a different continent, it was still important for Connelly to have her family supporting her on location. Connelly is the mother of two, her younger son the product of an offscreen relationship with A Beautiful Mind co-star Paul Bettany.'My younger son Stellan was there all the time' she states, 'My older son Kai was there for 5 days. It was fantastic for them in different ways. We traveled around, we went on safari, we went to Botswana. For them it was an incredible experience, seeing the wildlife and nature. I went to a school with my older son and I think for him to see what the children didn't have was very educational'
For an actress so known for playing characters with a darker edge, Connelly herself couldn't be happier. Two widely acclaimed films out this season, a successful marriage and two children mean Jennifer Connelly has every reason to smile.
