Friends With Money - Nicole Holofcener interview
Interview by Rob Carnevale
NICOLE Holofcener, the writer and director of Friends With Money, talks about the inspirations behind the film as well as working with Jennifer Aniston and reuniting with Catherine Keener…
Q. Money is clearly an emotive issue in everyday life, is that what inspired you to write this movie?
A. It is. It was the first theme that came to me. I used it as jumping off place. Then it went from there. Money is such a heated issue, especially now that I’m in my 40s, it’s become lot more intense. Who’s got it, who hasn’t and what are they doing with it?
Q. Is that because of the current state of society and the increasingly high cost of living?
A. No. I think what happens when you hit middle-age is that you have mortgages as well as trying to have some money for the kids and for nice clothes. But you have to share the wealth.
Q. Which of the four characters is closest to you? Or are there elements of you in each of them?
A. It’s more like there’s moments of each of them in me – except Frannie, she’s way too happy. I don’t think I ever shrugged anything off like her. I aspire to shrug but I can’t. I’m Jane, Chrstine and parts of Olivia too. Although less of Olivia thankfully.
Q. Is that because unlike Olivia’s character, you always knew what you wanted to do?
A. Yes, I was lucky in that I always knew what I wanted to do. I like pot but never that much. But I was kind of the last to go when my friends were getting married and I did begin to fear: “What if I never meet anyone? What would I feel like and how sad woud I be?”
Q. You have attracted something of a dream cast – did that bring its own set of challenges? Did you ever feel intimidated?
A. I did. In the beginning but not after the first 5 or 10 minutes. They were all so receptive and happy to be there and I didn’t feel I had to prove myself. That’s my own worst enemy. That’s when you act like an idiot. I remember when I was directing Six Feet Under I was a nervous wreck. When I walked on to the set, it was like: “Oh my God! I’m in Keith and David’s kitchen!” But once I’d turned the fan off and the director switch on, I was okay. It can be a tricky thing to balance both of them.
But with Friends With Money, when we all sat down at the table for the first reading everyone froze up. They were all looking across the table saying: “Look who’s sat across the table!” But within ten minutes, we were all laughing. I’m lucky that I cast well and that I found really nice people. There was no bullshit and I felt okay. I had to trust my instincts.
Q. Was Jennifer Aniston always your first choice for the role of Olivia?
A. No, I had actually written the part for someone older. I wasn’t sure who but I’d imagined that all the women were the same age at first. But Jennifer had said to me: “I’d love to work with you, let’s find the right thing.” So I began to think of her. Among the questions I asked myself were “is she too young, or too famous”? But then I thought she’d be great. And she said “yes”. I just felt she could be subtle and funny at the same time. She’s also so pretty that audiences wouldn’t feel she’s so extremely pathetic. There was hope for this girl. And yet she’s not a catwalk model either.
Q. She came to this film at a difficult time in her life. Was that ever a concern for you? And how did she handle the media attention surrounding her divorce?
A. She actually said “yes” when there were rumours that she and Brad [Pitt] were going to split. But I didn’t pay them any attention – they seemed false. Then it was announced when we were about to start shooting five days later and I was convinced she’d quit. And of course, who could’ve blamed her? But that didn’t happen and she was completely professional, available and friendly. She did some really good work and those fears were unfounded.
Q. What is it about Catherine Keener that makes you use her talents so often, given that this is your third collaboration together?
A. Catherine is such a great actress and I know where she lives! She’s so giving and we watch each other’s backs. I feel comfortable with her because she’s so open, present, funny and intelligent. I feel very, very lucky to know her.
Q. Does that friendship mean that she’s more involved in the creative process? Did she ever suggest things for her character in the script?
A. She’s one of the first people to see an early draft and make comments on it as a friend. We’re honest wth each other and I trust her. But that’s only after it’s been written. Actually, she came into the editing room when we were stuck on some scenes so we used her talents throughout the process!
Q. How did it feel to be asked to open the Sundance Film Festival? Was it a great experience?
A. It was both an honour and terrifying because it was the first time it had been screened for a large audience. It was an incredibly stressful time. The fun came after the film was screened, after I’d had a couple of margeritas. So it was also a little overwhelming.
Q. You seem to be writing and directing a film every five years. What’s next for you? How do you follow this?
A. I don’t know yet. I have a book I might adapt. But I’m not working on anything specific at the moment. I’d like to be a housewife for a year but I can’t afford it. Although I’m happiest when I’m writing, so I hope to find something soon.
Q. What does it feel to have been part of two seminal US programmes- Sex & The City and Six Feet Under? And do you have plans to direct any more TV series?
A. Sure, I’d direct more, it’s a great way to make money and to practise. With shows as high quality as those it’s also a challenge and I feel honoured to have been given the chance to direct those. And yes I’d do it again, absolutely. There’s a lot of incredibly brilliant people in TV and some real morons making movies. As a director, I’d want to go where the good work is and I don’t have any kind of snob mentality about movies being better than TV.