While some may argue that now is not the best time to release a movie about Americans in Paris, director James Ivory points out the book upon which the movie is based features a unique perspective of the comic differences between the two cultures. Based on Diane Johnson’s best-selling novel “Le Divorce,” the film follows two American sisters who become ensnared in the romance and intrigue that is Paris.

Is it weird that Naomi plays a pregnant woman in “Le Divorce” and Kate is actually pregnant now?
NAOMI WATTS: No. I would forget that I was pregnant in the movie. Sometimes people who had babies would remind me to do the careful lifting out of the chair. I've got this thing on me that is terribly authentic but it doesn't weigh anything. I'm still wearing high heels in the movie.
KATE HUDSON: I just started feeling heavy so I know I've got a ways to go.


Naomi, did the film bring out any maternal feelings? Do you want kids?
NAOMI WATTS: My maternal feelings are already there; it didn't change that. I've played mothers many times now. I know that I'd definitely like to have children.


Director James Ivory said it was hard to find an actress to play your role because it was weepy.
NAOMI WATTS: That seems so weird to me. That's the type of role I yearn for. I heard that also the people that he offered it to were worried about being pregnant for two-thirds of the movie or more. But it didn't bother me. Not at all.
KATE HUDSON: Isn't that what we do for a living? I mean, it's a good role.


What interested you about the character?
NAOMI WATTS: I'd just come off doing “The Ring” and it was a movie that was so plot driven, although it was a good female role. This movie was so little about the plot and so much about people and their lives and how they’re affecting each other. That's what I like about it. Obviously [there was] a great cast attached and two months in Paris. She was a wonderful character who was in complete turmoil and a little bit self-obsessed. Then after the attempted suicide, she quiets down a bit and becomes a much better version of herself.


What does the film have to say about relationships?
NAOMI WATTS: They're up and down. It's real.
KATE HUDSON: They're never what you expect [them] to be and nor should they be.
NAOMI WATTS: Unpredictable.
KATE HUDSON: Spontaneous.
NAOMI WATTS: They take work, communication.
KATE HUDSON: I kind of feel like it has a lot of things to say about love and relationships. At least for my character, as far as I'm concerned, in the book it was like that and in the film it's like that. She makes her decision [and] she's spontaneous about it. She knew what she was getting into before it started. She's young [and] she's got many affairs ahead of her. This is just the beginning of a long life lesson, you know.


Can you talk about playing sisters?
NAOMI WATTS: I think there was pretty much instant trust from the get-go. We both knew that in order for this story to work we needed to make it authentic. And it's not like, “Oh, we've got to make a friendship now because we've got to make this, and then we'll say goodbye.” It wasn't that. I think both of us really wanted to have a good time while we're shooting this movie and a friendship would help the movie, of course. We went out and spent time together.


Were you involved in helping the costume designer?
KATE HUDSON: For me, I think it's important to have it be a part of your character. I don't ever want to be ‘designed’ - to have a hair and makeup team come in and design a look for a character, like a hairdo or something. I really think it's important to have your input on all things, like costumes and stuff like that. This was so much fun for me because she was like a shopaholic and spent all her money on clothes.
NAOMI WATTS: And it was wonderful what she did with me, playing such a pregnant woman. She didn't feel limited by that. It wasn't like, “Oh, let's put her in a maternity dress in one color, head to toe. She didn't go, “Okay, this woman is experiencing a divorce, [She] must wear dull colors.” People tend to do things like that, “This is a sad theme, put a gray sweater on.” She was bold enough to keep the momentum of these characters going. Let's go with what would be in that woman's closet. Not what would she wear on a sad day?
Do you try to balance projects between mainstream and offbeat?
KATE HUDSON: Well, it's funny because I'm 24 and have a knack for comedy. A lot of the roles that I get and that are really fun for me are comedic roles. When really what comes more naturally to me is dramatic roles.
NAOMI WATTS: And we've had this conversation before. In the more serious scenes that we did together, because I've seen her comedy and she's obviously so accomplished at that, I would go, “Wow, I've got to start watching this girl. She has real range.” I'm excited for you to see stuff like that. And now, I've just done my first comedy and I'm like, “Let's swap careers for a few years.”


Do your recent box office hits (“The Ring” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”) increase the pressure?
NAOMI WATTS: One problem solved opens up another. It's not that it's a problem, but yeah, we've both got great success with our movies and that's exciting. Now what do you do next? [It’s] like you're being watched extra and you want to move more carefully. You just want to stay true to what speaks to you. I don't really plan [my] career. I don't go, “Oh, I must do this now because I've done that.” It's just what you decide. It's what suits you. This movie I'm doing now, I'm really enjoying. It's called “I Heart Huckabees” with David Russell.


What do you think of marriage?
KATE HUDSON: I don't think we're normal. I don't know. I don't think we're a normal married couple. I wish every couple could be like us or married for those types of reasons and not for the other types of reasons. I honestly come from a family where my parents have been together for 20 years and aren't married. Marriage is a beautiful thing. Honestly, getting a divorce is going to be horrible and hopefully that doesn't happen.



Warning: include(/home/buffybot/public_html/kate/footer.html) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/katehuds/public_html/kate/press/2003-aboutcomLD.php on line 77

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/buffybot/public_html/kate/footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/katehuds/public_html/kate/press/2003-aboutcomLD.php on line 77