Jennifer Lopez

Interview By: MarkPlante
Mark Plante@TheCinemaSource.com

*Click Here For Another Interview with Jennifer Lopez

After a string of lighter roles in Monster-in-Law, Shall We Dance', and Maid in Manhattan, Lopez was eager to do something more character driven.

'Yeah, actually, when I did this movie - I had just, I think, cause it was a couple of a years ago now, I had just finished Maid in Manhattan. And had a real kind of desire to do something a little more character driven,a little more dramatic - I do like that,' said Lopez. 'If you look at the different things I've done, different movies I've done, I do go back and forth - something I've always done. Of course the romantic comedies and commercial successes get more attention, but this is something that I love doing and enjoy doing very much.'

Lopez took the opportunity in this film by learning all she could from costars Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and her Monster-in-Law co-star Jane Fonda. Her mother after all is, one of Robert Redford's biggest fans.

'Oh God, well just working with that caliber of actor; because they are actors in every sense of the word. Proven careers and just top of their game and so much experience. I can't tell you one tangible thing you walk away with,' said Lopez. 'But you do look up to the fact they they've had long careers. To the fact that they do what they do so well and so effortlessly. And you hope that one day you can do it as effortlessly as well, because I'm in the corner working before I do the scene. Their kind of just sitting their waiting. 'OK action! Go' - so seasoned and so beautiful to watch.'

Lopez would have made this movie without the participation of her seasoned co-stars though because she believed in the script from the first time she read it.

'You know there's not a lot of movies like this in Hollywood. You know, there's very few beautiful, human stories about going through tough things, getting delt the raw deal and getting through that,' said Lopez. 'The way this script was constructed with these characters and how this girl brings them back together in the different ways; to me it was just very beautiful. You don't know how it's gonna translate on the screen. You have it on the page and it's touching and beautiful and you're like 'who knows' could be good, could suck.'

Lopez felt good about her decision to make the film when she saw it at the premiere. 'I saw the movie for the first time from beginning to end with music and the whole thing and at the end of the movie I had tears and I felt good. And it wasn't like a tragic thing and it really, really made me think and so I was happy that what I was originally drawn to in the script - this very human, touching story about forgiveness was translated to the screen,' said Lopez. 'And of course that's to Lasse's credit - Lasse Halstrom.'

An Unfinished Life is a movie about forgiving the worst part of yourself and Lopez can relate.

'I think like any human being you know, forgiveness, and letting go of the bear, you know the different bears in our life, the things we wrestle with, is difficult which is why this story is very relevant to human beings and why I think people will watch it and it will make them think,' said Lopez. They will be touched by it and it will affect them in some way because we all do wrestle with those things - with forgiving, with getting past things, dealing with betrayal and tragedy and anger. Those are things we deal with, all of us, everybody in this room and everybody in general, on a daily basis. That is the hardest thing about life.'

Lopez brings life experiences to each new film role and looks forward to getting older, now at the age of thirty-six. She also finds inspiration from her peers in the business. She looks up to such icons as Madonna and Jodie Foster.

'As you get older and you go through more experiences you become a better actress, a better actor and I find that to be very true. The more things you live, the more you realize how things can affect you, how things can change your life. What different things happen to you,you're able to bring that to your role. The stakes are higher. As when you're in your twenties and you haven't lived as much, and everythings kinda peachy and rosy and fantastic; you know what I mean'You can do it, you can get to those emotional places, but you don't understand it and don't live it as deeply, you bring something new to your work when you have lived a little bit more.'

Lopez has learned to live a little bit more this past year taking time off to nurture her new marriage. She has also learned to balance her clothing line, music, and films in a way that allows her to have a life. And she is busy helping other people's lives who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.

'We're involved with the Children's Health Fund. I've made a donation, my husband's made a donation. We've been watching this obviously, and been glued to the t.v. like everyone else, even though we've been on a tour . And you know, my whole thing is like , what do they need down there' And one of the things we found out is they really need health care.And how are we gonna get it down there' Children's Health Fund obviously focuses on children, but will give health care to whoever needs it and they have mobile units they can get down there and with donations, the money obviously to get that, wer're donating money, my husband is donating, and were also trying to arrange at his concerts, one in Washington. We're gonna be in Miami for three shows. Tons of people come through, and we let them know they can drop things off and we'll make sure it gets there.'