Date: February 2003
Interviewed by: Renee Zellweger
Scans: Available in the gallery
Perhaps the biggest breakout story of 2002 belongs to Alison Lohman. Coming seemingly out of nowhere
(actually, it was a string of B movies and a short-lived TV show, Pasadena), the 23-year-old floored
moviegoers with her spunk and spark in White Oleander, where she held her own against some of the movies'
heavies, including Michelle Pfeiffer and her interviewer here, Renee Zellweger. Next? She lights a fire
opposite Nic Cage and Sam Rockwell in Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men and then shows she's not afraid to swim
into any sort of role in big dreamer Tim Burton's Big Fish, co-starring Ewan McGregor and Jessica Lange.
Here we get the lowdown on Lohman, someone you'll be seeing lots more of for years to come.
RENEE ZELLWEGER: Hello?
ALISON LOHMAN: Hi! How are you?
RZ: Hi! Good. How are you? You're about to go onstage in a little bit, aren't you?
AL: Yeah.
RZ: Okay. We'll just get to it, then. Tell me about your show.
AL: It's called This Is Our Youth. I've been here in London for about a month, including rehearsal.
I'm having so much fun.
RZ: I know you started in theater, but you haven't done it in a while, have you?
AL: No. I did musicals from about age 10 to 18. I still get really nervous, though, before each performance.
It kind of hits about 15 minutes before we go onstage--sometimes I don't even want to go on. But once I'm
onstage I'm fine.
RZ: I understand. I'd like to try it someday.
AL: You've never done theater?
RZ: No, not yet. But, remember, I'm asking you the questions. [Lohman laughs] I know that you've just finished
shooting Matchstick Men with Ridley Scott. How was that?
AL: It was great. Nicolas Cage plays a con artist, I'm his daughter, and Sam Rockwell is his protege. I got to
play 14 [years old].
RZ: See, now this I love. That's one of my favorite things about you. When people ask me to describe you, I
always say that-well, I can't tell you, actually, because you'll start blushing. [Lohman laughs] But physically,
if someone said, "She's 14," you'd believe it. And if someone said, "She's 25," you'd believe it, too. It's
really interesting. Did you enjoy playing 14?
AL: I did. I loved this character. Her name is Angela, and she's really hyper-the opposite of me, I guess.
[laughs] She's extreme to extreme, really emotional, melodramatic. It was fun to be really out there, you know? No
inhibitions.
RZ: Do you feel as if you've played a woman yet? Or are you still waiting for that?
AL: No, I'm still waiting. I'd like to play characters who are older-I don't want to be playing 14-year-olds too much
longer. But, you know, it really depends on the character. Age doesn't really matter.
RZ: Mm-hmm. So what's the film about?
AL: Well, I can't really tell the story because I'd give it away. It's one of those films.
RZ: [laughs] I hate to disappoint our readers, but I understand. And Ridley will be pleased to know you can keep
a secret. What's he like?
AL: He's really nice and down to earth, and really smart. He has an eye for it all. Literally, it was just like
one take and that was it. Once he gets it, you know, he's done. Finished. Moves on.
RZ: So are you traveling at all while you're in London?
AL: No, not really. I don't have the time. But in a few weeks I have three days off, so my friend Bridget and I
are going to go to Amsterdam and hang out.
RZ: Look out for all those cafes and stuff.
AL: [laughs] I know. I've already been there. When I was 21 I traveled around Europe for three months. Amsterdam
was my favorite place.
RZ: Can you tell me why-without getting in trouble?
AL: [laughs] No, no--it's not the pot. [both laugh] It's just beautiful, everything about it. I want to ask you
about Prague [where Zellweger was at the time of this interview]. I can't wait to go.
RZ: Oh my gosh, it's fantastic. It's beautiful and confusing and fascinating. It's all changing so quickly, and I
feel so privileged to be here right now, when all this is happening. It's almost like a last look at a different
way of life, because they're quickly adopting Western ways. It's really interesting to see what they're choosing.
AL: Hopefully not McDonald's.
RZ: Too late! [both laugh] It's all here. Except for Starbucks. which I've missed desperately.
AL: We need to talk about your Starbucks problem.
RZ: I know, it's terrible. I was really good. I quit for a while, just as you said I was going to.
AL: Really? From, like, five venti lattes to hell?
RZ: [laughs] Let's go back to that part again where I ask the questions. [both laugh) I'm doing a terrible
job here. I'm awful at this.
AL: No, it's okay. I like this. It's a lot easier doing this with you than with someone I don't know. I had to
do something like this with Patrick Fugit [who was also in White Oleander], and he asked me stuff like, "What's
your favorite word?"
RZ: We can go that way if you want. [both laugh] I'll start asking you about your favorite colors and stuff.
But I do want to ask you what you're reading right now.
AL: Stupid White Men, by Michael Moore. Have you read it?
RZ: No you're not! It's on my bedside table right now! It's so brilliant.
AL: Oh. my God! Isn't it great? Have you seen Bowling for Columbine?
RZ: I have, and this is a whole other conversation. Really, I'm going to go to jail with all the issues I have
with what's going on politically in our country right now.
AL: I know! All the deception and the lies . . . It's scary how corrupt our government is.
RZ: I could egg you on, but we'd both end up being audited. [both laugh] All right sweet-heart, have a safe trip
to Amsterdam. Don't get into too much trouble, if you know what I mean.
AL: I think I do.
RZ: You know what? Never mind! Forget that! Go ahead and find yourself a little trouble. It's now or never.
AL: [both laugh] Oh, I will. Life's too short.
|
Delirious
Things We Lost In The..
Beowulf