George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones claim they had a ball together from the moment they arrived on the set of the Coen brothers’ latest film, “Intolerable Cruelty.” At a recent press junket to promote the film, the good times kept a’rollin as the two mega-stars yukked it up about everything from Ben and J- Lo to the trouble with lawyers. Here are some highlights: Question: Did you model your characters in “Intolerable Cruelty” after anyone you know?
George Clooney: Ben and Jen. Catherine Zeta-Jones: Which one were you playing, George?
Q: OK, then, having made the film, do you feel any differently about lawyers?
GC: We all feel the same way, which is we love to make jokes about them, and they sure can be irritating, and we sure think we can live without them. And then, every once in a while, it’s sure nice to have a good lawyer.
Q: What are your thoughts on prenuptial agreements? Are they a necessary evil, especially in a place like Hollywood, where the institution of marriage isn’t exactly sacred?
GC: I’ll take that question, Catherine. CZJ: Thanks, George. GC: Why, yes, I think they’re very important. I have a prenup, and I’m not married. I give it to anyone I go to dinner with — here, sign this.
CZJ: People sign whatever they want to sign, and do whatever they want to do.
Q: George, which do you prefer making, comedies or dramas?
GC: Comedies are fun to do. It’s always a blast to do them. I thought “Solaris” was pretty funny (laughs). “Batman and Robin” was a hoot. I’ve been working on comedies for a while now. Look, if you can do comedies with people like Joel and Ethan (Coen) and Catherine, it’s really fun. I’m lucky enough that a lot of films I did early on weren’t particularly successful, so I didn’t get pigeonholed into having to do one particular thing. I get to screw up everything now.
Q: Catherine, you were pregnant when you filmed “Chicago,” and you did “Intolerable Cruelty” just prior to that. So where does the pregnancy fall relative to shooting?
CZJ: I’m not going to mention any specific dates, but I got pregnant right at the end of it. (Laughs) Oh God, I’m in trouble now. Then all of sudden I had a baby, because it went really quick. So it’s great. I have a little lady in waiting, who is just going to drive her dad nuts in about 15 years. And my son is just a lot of fun to be around. He’s a showman.
Q: George, how has working with the Coen brothers influenced you as a director?
GC: You mean, did I steal from them? Yes. Of course it had a big effect. They have things they do that other people don’t do, generally.
Q: Catherine, yours is one of the most celebrated faces in the world. But what makes you feel beautiful?
CZJ: My little 3-year-old boy telling me I have the prettiest eyes he’s ever seen makes me feel very special.
Q: And you, George? GC: I drink to feel beautiful. Q: As we discover in the film’s trailer, Catherine’s character “fascinates” you. What fascinates you about the real thing?
GC: Well, it’s fascinating to me to discover she was pregnant while I was doing the movie with her. I guess that sparkle in her eye wasn’t for me.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 10, 2003. Read the original PDF.