I don’t know how in the world it happened, but Lindsay Lohan finally got a job. Someone was willing to take a risk on her and sign her up not just in a bit part, but in the lead for a major film. I know, I gasped, clutched my chest, and staggered around in surprise too. It was over-dramatic and rather embarrassing – sort of like Lindsay’s last major acting performance (“I Know Who Killed Me). Now if only she can stay off the booze and get her weight up to 100 lbs, I think she’s good to go!

Lindsay Lohan will topline indie fantasy comedy “The Other Side” alongside Woody Harrelson, Giovanni Ribisi, Dave Matthews and Alanis Morissette.

Story centers on a grad student who must spend the summer working at a scientific institute on a remote island. She discovers an eccentric community of characters who are hiding a secret about a tragedy that took place many years before.

Shooting is set for October at an island off the coast of Massachusetts.

Feature role is Lohan’s first since “I Know Who Killed Me” in 2007, when her career stalled over assertions of unprofessional behavior.

“Lindsay’s very aware of people’s perceptions of her,” director David Michaels told Daily Variety. “She’s really committed to doing what she has to in order to change that.”More than one option

Producer Kent Harper said Lohan will be insured when lensing starts. She appeared in four episodes of “Ugly Betty” last year and will be seen later this year in the TV movie “Labor Pains.”

[From Variety]

I’m surprised to hear Lohan was able to be insured. Supposedly that was the biggest hurdle for her to get over. While there were people who were willing to work with her (albeit on mediocre and small projects), she was having a hard time getting insured because of her long history of on-set problems. If a star doesn’t show up one day it can cost the production tens of thousands of dollars. And with her personal issues so highly publicized, a lot of people think she’s on the brink of self-destruction. It’d be really great if Lohan spent some time under the radar regrouping, so she’s able to really focus on work when October rolls around. If she messes this up, it’s safe to say no one’s going to be willing to risk working with her for a long, long time.

Here’s Lindsay and little sister Ali on the balcony of the Park Hyatt Paris hotel yesterday. Images thanks to BauerGriffinOnline.