Katie Holmes covers the November issue of Marie Claire to promote her role in Jack and Jill (in which she plays the wife of Adam Sandler, who does double duty in drag) while wearing a red leather jacket and generally looking like she’s talking out of the side of her mouth. In other words, it’s business as usual minus the fug booties from hell and the Scientology minders; although it is not out of the realm of possiblity that both were lurking in the background.

At any rate, Holmes is being interviewed by Pankaj Mishra, the author of The Romantics (the novel that was adapted into the 2010 movie starring Holmes), in the same dubious tradition of Stephenie Meyer’s lukewarm interview of an ass kissing KStew in Glamour. Here, the roles are reversed, with Pankaj writing ridiculously flattering statements — “she looks like the quintessential movie star,” “[h]er dancer’s figure and Empire State Building legs literally stop traffic,” and “massive doe eyes, rosebud cheeks, and darling smile” — to describe Holmes’ physicality. The interview is … unfocused and strange at best, and here are a few excerpts:

On The Future: “I feel ready for the next chapter of my life. I’m excited to begin a new phase: roles I might have been afraid to play before, places I want to travel to with my daughter. I’d like to build the design business. But not too fast.”

On Working With Adam Sandler: “Adam has comedy down to a science. He knows how to find the funny — not just in himself but in everyone around him. He makes you feel comfortable and supported so that you can be your best. And he runs the takes again and again until comfort gives way to laughter.”

On Balancing Work & Family: “I’m thinking about getting rid of this,” Katie says mischievously, pointing at her cell phone. “Wouldn’t it be great to have an old-fashioned phone sheet? Go to your office, make your calls, and then continue with your day?”

“My daughter was with me the other day at a work event, and it was a long day. I took out some paper and markers that I had in my bag, and someone said to me, ‘Oh, that is so cute,’ and I looked at her and thought, No, this is not cute. This is what all mothers have to do.”

“Being around this business, my daughter is exposed to people with incredible talent, people who are the best at what they do. People I only dreamed of getting to work with as a little girl.”

[From Marie Claire]

Okay, I’ll give her that bit about paper and markers. Every mother that I personally know (including myself) will readily admit that crayolas and markers are the most portable form of kiddie entertainment in the world and also a great way to stimulate young minds. Even though she does questionable things like taking lipstick-wearing Suri out of school for New York Fashion Week, Katie really does seem to be a pretty devoted mother, and she mentions Suri several times during the interview. Oddly, Katie does not mention Tom Cruise at all. Poor unhinged, lift-wearing midget.

Now for the accompanying photoshoot, which is pretty bland and features Holmes wearing lots of heavy eye makeup and wearing “dreamy” dresses. Well, I like the parts of the green dress that are visible, but the rest is pretty meh.

Photos courtesy of Marie Claire and The Fashion Spot