Cameron Diaz

Interview By: Dan Portnoy

DanielPortnoy@TheCinemaSource.com

How do you introduce an actress like Cameron Diaz? I could start by saying that since her electric performance in There’s Something About Mary she’s probably been offered more hair gel than any one else in Hollywood. But I think I’ll continue on a more tasteful route.

For a woman whose career has spanned just a little over a decade she has managed to take on some seriously diverse and unusual roles. So far she’s played an “angel,” a nightclub dancer who falls in love with a man wearing a magical green mask, and the heartless owner of a professional football team. And how many actors can say they’ve been inside the head of John Malkovich? Cameron Diaz can. Recently I was lucky enough to be able to sit down with this young actress and talk about one of her more dramatic roles in the upcoming film, In Her Shoes.

In the film Diaz plays Maggie Feller, an attractive carefree party girl whose notion of responsibility and loyalty is severely lacking. Rose, played by Toni Collette is Maggie’s plainer more successful lawyer sister. The two clash on a regular basis which causes their relationship to fall further apart. When Maggie finds out that she and Rose have a Grandmother, Maggie impulsively packs her bags and sets out to find her. On her journey to the sunny shores of Florida, Maggie discovers more than she intends to about her family and about herself.

The film itself is extremely character driven. Diaz’s portrayal of Maggie is one that redefines her as an actress. Although it may not seem like it on the surface, the film is entertaining for most ages and all genders. “This film is not at all a chick-flick, I mean it has chicks in it, but that’s as much as it is a chick flick. It’s a universal story; it’s a story about family and relationships and siblings and our complications and dysfunctions in those relationships.” The presentation of relationships within the film was a primary factor in getting Ms. Diaz to sign onto the film. The foremost reason for Cameron’s commitment was the character

Maggie.

“I wanted people to see who she was and who she became.” And what kind of person is Maggie Feller? “Maggie hates herself, she’s self loathing, that’s why she behaves the way she does. She’s completely insecure about every part of herself. She uses her body and her sexuality to get what she needs.” Not the most admirable character traits, but in a way they are what drove Cameron to the character. “To me she [Maggie] reflected a lot of our society today. The superficiality, girls being told that sexuality is the way that you move through the world, that that is more important than other aspects of your character.” Through Maggie the film is able to bring out these negative aspects of superficiality and generate a better understanding of the pressure that is placed on females in our society.

“I think we buy a lot of what we’re sold you know. And that’s what Maggie’s been doing for some time – she’s been buying what’s been sold to her, until she dug really deep into herself.” Digging deep is what helped Cameron to understand and become her character. One thing that made Maggie such a good character was that she was real and people, male or female, can relate to her. One scene in particular, Maggie is publicly embarrassed. Cameron at times found it difficult to be fully “in” the scene because in a way it was her and Maggie who were getting humiliated. “There were several times where it was very painful to be right there, that particular moment with MTV…Have you ever had one of those moments when you do something, then feel like ‘Oh my God when I walk away from here there’s going to be pieces of me on the ground.’ And that’s what it was to Maggie, and I think we’ve all had those moments.” It’s the kind of scene that makes audience members turn away or squirm in their seats because they are able to feel a similar level of embarrassment and relate to Maggie’s emotional state.

As serious as the film may be

at times, there is also a great deal of fun and light-heartedness mainly brought about by Diaz. Of course Cameron won’t take the credit for her performance; she’d rather pass it on to Curtis Hanson, the film’s director. “Curtis Hanson is such an amazing filmmaker. His ability to take you in so intimately to the characters and show you, up close what they’re going through…you can relate to it so much.” Hanson, mostly known for directing The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, L.A. Confidential and more recently 8 Mile, has become widely respected in the realm of Hollywood director’s. For Diaz the thrill and excitement of making the film can be attributed to her admiration and reverence of the likeable and talented Curtis Hanson. “It was such a trusting atmosphere…there was never any guessing, there was never any time where you go ‘okay, is this o.k. for me to do it this way or bring this up. It was great communication and great collaboration.” And as chipper and comical Cameron Diaz may be, when she spoke of Hanson her sincerity and appreciation was what shone through.

In Her Shoes is able to accomplish its goal. It puts the audience into Maggie’s life and the audience is taken on her journey of failure, accomplishment, and self discovery. Like Maggie who ultimately achieves happiness by the film’s close, Diaz strongly feels that anyone anywhere can be contented. “You can be happy anywhere doing anything if you’re happy with yourself.” And with the way the film’s completed product appears on-screen, Cameron Diaz has no reason to be unhappy.