I’m sure there are people out there who adore Evan Rachel Wood, but I’m not one of them. It’s not even really something I can put my finger on, but ERW consistently rubs me the wrong way. Her voice, her attitude, the way it seems like she trying to be pretentious and deep, but she isn’t even smart or cool enough to pull it off.
Anyway, ERW gave an interview to Parade to promote the Woody Allen film, Whatever Works. The 21-year-old ERW’s claim to fame is not really her acting career, although she’s not really that terrible an actress. She only became famous when she took up with a then-married, 37-year-old Marilyn Manson – when she herself was 19 years old. After she and Marilyn split, ERW was briefly linked to Mickey Rourke, who played her father in The Wrestler. So, basically, she has a thing for much older men.
Guess what kind of character ERW plays in Whatever Works? A teenager married to a fifty-something man, played by Larry David. ERW tells Parade that the older man-younger woman dynamic just works for her, despite what her mom says. She also comes out with this line, worthy of Megan Fox: “I don’t want to sound pompous, but it was really hard to play dumb and ditsy.” Oh, woe is her.
What’s wrong with liking older men?
“I don’t think anybody should be quick to judge anybody else and their relationships, especially if you don’t know somebody or don’t know where they’re coming from. Growing up, I was told, ‘Younger women should never date older men.’ So the irony is that what works for me are usually guys that are older. I’ve always been around people much older than me. And that’s just who I relate to. That’s what works for me and what makes me happy. I think people should be able to fall in love with whoever they want.”Her momma doesn’t agree.
“She made every boyfriend in my life miserable. And she absolutely still gets up in my business. She’s a Jewish mother, so I was raised by a Jewish southern mother. I definitely went through the ringer.”
Now, she’s ready to play her age.
“Funny enough, I had just sworn off teenage roles because I was ready to move on and go to the next level. But how could I say no to a Woody Allen film even though I can’t say I identified with my character who is not exactly a smart cookie. I don’t want to sound pompous, but it was really hard to play dumb and ditsy.”Figuring out the Woodman.
“I was nervous, so I actually called Edward Norton because he had worked with Woody before and I just wanted to know what to expect. He told me Woody was very shy, very reserved, and didn’t really give a lot of direction to the actors. I almost had a panic attack the first day. I was certain I was going to get fired. You ask Woody, ‘Was that OK?’ And he says, ‘Yeah. It was fine.’ So I took that as a thumbs up. Now, I kind of get what he was going after. He wants you to be as natural as possible. His favorite takes were when we messed up.”
The title of Woody’s film works for her.
“I think that’s a great motto, actually — whatever works for you, whatever makes you happy, really. Whatever love and happiness you can find in this life, hold onto it.”Spidey on Broadway.
“It’s going to happen. I spoke to Julie Taymor just the other day. We’re still looking for our Spider-Man. But Julie is putting together something incredible. It’s going to be a crazy rock n’ roll circus show. Julie’s doing what she did with Lion King. She’s just taking it to a whole other level. And wait until you hear who’s playing the villain. I know, and I wish I could tell you, but it’s going to be good.”There’s some blood-sucking in her future.
“I just got fitted for my fangs for the HBO series True Blood. I’m playing the vampire Queen of Louisiana who is 400 years old and gay. It’s going to be a good juicy role. And the pointy teeth just take over. You can’t help but just snarl and be evil. It’s great.”
[From Parade]
So her mom put her through the ringer, and yet she still ended up dating Marilyn Manson? Mom didn’t do such a great job, I’d say. And is everyone as grossed out as me with the idea of Larry David and ERW playing a married couple? But her role on True Blood does sound interesting. Everyone seems to be raving about that show lately, I’ve got to check it out.
Evan Rachel Wood is shown at the LA premiere of Whatever Works with Ed Begley Jr., Patricia Clarkson, and Larry David. Credit: WENN.com
If you actually _are_ dumb and ditzy but think you’re not, of course it’s hard to play it.
You just know that a young girl with a much older man appeals to Woody, both in life and art. I love Larry David, so I’d see it for him alone. I saw Rachel in the movie 13 with Holly Hunter and she was really good. She was also good in The Upside of Anger with Joan Allen and Kevin Costner. Her personal life really does overshadow her career and I guess people are grossed out by her choices in men (as I am), but she is an appealing actress.
I’ve liked her in pretty much everything I’ve seen her in.
To me she’s just another one of those actresses that I’m not interested in outside of the film in question – I don’t want to know her thoughts on anything really – she’s a reasonably good actor and that’s enough for me.
As annoying as she is sometimes, I think she’s a pretty good actress. She was great in “The Wrestler” and even “Across The Universe”.
This week I just started watching the last season of True Blood and I am HOOKED. I think ERW is going to be a great fit in the show, even though I don’t overly like her.
Electra complex much?
I think that she is a good actress but she tries too hard to be something she isn’t and to stand out. I can’t really blame her for the last part but she should just let her acting speak ffor itself.
She needs to quit trying to be Dita 2.0.
I happen to know her mother and father from Raleigh. I was in the theatre and these people are ignorant and self important. I don’t think her mother even finished high school–she had a teenage pregnancy. She was a leach in far too tight jordache jeans. She did not have a career or an education. She dated married men, waited tables, and acted in local theater part time. She was an awful actress. As for ERW assertion that her mom is so Jewish, well she sure did not accentuate any culture or religion, but instead she was the epitome of ‘trailer trash.’
Dude! I love celebitchy, and all your writers, but you guys have been way snarky, an straight up mean this week.
Some of your articles have been hard to read.
So I guess it was an easy breeze to play a home wrecking WHORE !!!
Just what the world needs.
Another trashy woman who would do (read: sleep with) anything (read: anybody) to be famous.
Please. She’s not even pretty (though I do like her milky skin).
This is too disgusting for me, sorry.
WHAT?? She’s going to be on True Blood??????? I’m not sure if this is good or bad!
Whatever you might think of her, that girl is an amazing actress. seriously, I don’t think she’s dumb at all.
It’s called: “daddy issues”.
Shes a great actress – but I always look at her and think her make up is so wrong for her!
It’s even harder to play Dita von Teese to impress a hypocritical and washed up “shock rocker”, I bet.
You’ve been pretending for the past 3 or 4 years. Give it up already. You’re going to have to try twice as hard for your wannabe shocking and controversial comments to compete with those of Megan Fox’s.
I mostly like ERW. I don’t see how anyone can say she isn’t attractive. I wish she’d go back to blonde, though. I think she’ll be perfect for True Blood.
And LB, what’s the point in trashing her mom, exactly? People are separate entities from their parents, so there’s no point in airing out how “trashy” ERW’s mom is here.
i’m with you Kaiser, she rubs me the wrong way too. I loved Across the Universe, except her in it. I even tolerated Bono’s pathetic performance. Also hated her in Down in the Valley. Dunno what it is either.