 |
|
|
|
ELLE Canada interviews Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner takes a break from blockbuster spy roles to explore the indie scene and tread the hallowed Broadway boards.
By Noreen Flanagan
|
|
|
|
Although it's a small role for Garner, she brings a warmth and vulnerability to the part that has garnered critical praise. As the mother of a two-year-old, Garner says she understands why her character ached for a baby. "Motherhood changes you," she says. "I think it makes your world bigger and your emotions deeper -- it adds so much joy to your life. I understand that missing out on that would be something I couldn't bear, and I would do anything to fill that up."
Garner adds that the film is a good reminder that adoption is an option, especially for young women who may not be ready to be parents but can't quite wrap their heads around the idea of having an abortion. "I think it's a beautiful story about adoption and knowing what you want and going after it."
Aside from tapping into her own maternal sensibilities, Garner says that one scene between Juno and Bleeker reminded her of how we all struggle with our desire to be loved. "Juno says to Bleeker that she admires him because he doesn't even try to be cool, and he quietly replies, 'I do try -- really hard.' That scene always gets a reaction out of people: we all pretend we're not trying to fit in, but of course we are -- we all want to be accepted and liked."
If her desire to be adored extends to theatre critics, Garner has no worries. Unlike Roberts, who was savaged by the press after her debut, the
New York Times critic called Garner "captivating." Another suggested that she broke the Hollywood stars' Broadway curse with "astonishing grace." But even if they had panned her performance, Garner says that returning to the stage fulfills a lifelong dream. As a graduate of The O'Neill National Theater Institute, Garner landed a job in 1995 as an understudy in a Turgenev play on Broadway that paid $150 a week. "I wasn't an understudy for long," she recalls. "I left to take a job on a miniseries because I needed the money." Roles in other TV shows, including Felicity, and movies like Dude, Where's My
Car? and Pearl Harbor followed. In 2001, she landed the lead in Alias, eventually earning up to $150,000 an episode during the show's final season in 2005. That same year, she landed 70th on the Forbes Power 100 celebrity list, married Ben Affleck and gave birth to Violet.
In spite of Garner's personal and professional success, it's surprising to hear her talk so honestly about being nervous about her Big Apple opening. Weeks before previews, she says she's about to "pass out on the floor from nerves and terror." How will she handle her stage fright? "Preparation -- and more preparation!" she says, laughing. "I spent my childhood up until my early 20s onstage, so I just have to believe that in there somewhere is a calm me!"
Cyrano de Bergerac, which was inspired by a true story, is about the soulful poet and swordsman Cyrano (Kline), who is bewitched by the beautiful Roxane (Garner). Cursed with a large nose, he is too ashamed to declare his affections. When he learns that Roxane loves his handsome but dim-witted comrade, he pens love letters to Roxane on his behalf. The truth is eventually revealed, and love trumps beauty in the end. Does Garner -- who is often billed as Hollywood's most down-to-earth star -- share the same cheery view? "Absolutely -- I absolutely do!"
|
|
|
|
Next page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
OR |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
