Q: Wow. This movie is a real scary ride. How did you get involved in it?
Michelle: I think was ready for something that was a real departure. I didn't really consciously say, "Oh, I'd like to do a thriller next". But then when Bob Zemekis sent the script to me, I was thrilled at the prospect of working with him, because I'm such a huge fan... And I was a bit daunted because it was a new genre for me. But I really felt like I was in such good hands that I was willing to take the plunge, literally take the plunge. [laughs]

Q: And was Harrison involved with it at that point?
Michelle: Yes, and of course the whole package was quite exciting.

Q: How was it being so wet for so long?
Michelle: It was kind of miserable actually. But I think the anticipation of it was probably worse. And I really braced myself for it, because the two things I really hate most in life are one; being cold, and two; water. And in fact they gave me scuba diving lessons in my pool because it took me awhile to get it across to production that I really had a quite severe fear of water. And they finally took it seriously and sent a scuba instructor over to my house.

Q: Was the bathtub scene one of the hardest?
Michelle: Oh, the bathtub scene was THE hardest. I think in terms of my patience and in terms of discomfort, the bathroom scene was definitely the hardest thing.

Q: Do you take baths now or just showers?
Michelle: I'm a real bath taker. I love baths and still take them, but I have to be honest, I don't enjoy them in the same way that I use too. [laughs] I'm not nervous, they're just not quite the same.

Q: Do you think your fans will be surprised to find out how much "What Lies Beneath" is your movie? It really is from beginning to end, which is unusual these days.
Michelle: I think they might surprised. I hope they're not too terribly disappointed. Well, I was surprised actually. But it's a great part for Harrison, and it's a real departure for him. You know, we're not use to seeing him play flawed characters, and I think that will be intriguing for people.

Q: With the popularity of films like "The Sixth Sense", you're timing couldn't be better with the whole "ghost" thing. How about you personally. Do you believe in the paranormal?
Michelle: I don't believe and I don't disbelieve. It hasn't been proven to me either way. I would like to believe in it because I think it's hopeful and it means that maybe somewhere, someplace you can make sense of this world.

Q: Ever encountered a ghost yourself?
Michelle: I haven't. Well, I once stayed in a hotel in San Francisco that had recently been refurbished and was quite old, and I heard a noise behind the couch. And it really truly sounded like it was behind the couch, not in the wall. And I thought, "Oh, it's my imagination." The next day I was down at the reception desk and I heard them talking about the fact that the hotel was haunted.

And I thought, "It was in my room!" But who knows. Was that coincidental? That was the closest I've ever come to that. But I know people who claim to have had encounters, and claimed to have lived in houses that were haunted and the ghosts were kind of a part of the family. And, you know they didn't really feel threatened by it, and it was just kind of a minor inconvenience and sort of a pest. And I have no reason to disbelieve these people, and yet, you know, we always want proof of things.

Q: For someone with such a high profile, for the most part, you've been able to stay out of the tabloids, right?
Michelle: Oh, I've been in the Star. [laughs] I know what you're saying though, I've gotten off pretty easy, I think I don't really take them to task. There's been a couple of times, actually once that we did. But we're pretty boring really. I mean there's not much to say about us.

Q: I think it's the same thing with Jodie Foster and her privacy. People kind of respect you and your family. I'm sure there are those that if they could get the dirt on you, they would, but the majority of press really respects you.
Michelle: I don't know, I think so. I think probably the majority do, and you know, we haven't sort of gotten away clean by any means. Sometimes I think we should have a scandal so they stop making up things, because at least you would have some control over your scandal. I mean they sort of make up things up arbitrarily.

Q: Well than give us one! Hey, speaking of scandals has your husband, David Kelley, seen the film?
Michelle: [smiles] Yeah.

Q: What did he think about that whole seduction scene on the desk with Harrison Ford?
Michelle: He was fine. I mean I think it's not easy for the person that's in love with you to see you, you know, making love to another person. He knows, he's fine.

Q: Are you glad he's not an actor?
Michelle: Yes!

Q: Are you the jealous type?
Michelle: I am. Yeah, I wouldn't like it if he was off having love scenes with my piers. I wouldn't like that.

Q: Is there a quirky hobby or something that you have, something that people don't know about?
Michelle: I don't think people know what's quirky about themselves because to them they think it's normal. I mean I think I probably do a lot of things that might surprise you!

Q: Can you give us one example?
Michelle: Well [laughs] maybe how ordinary I am. I mean I'm incredibly ordinary.

Q: And discreet.
Michelle: I don't know. Everything I do just seems normal to me.

Q: Hah! I wish I could be so normal! Well, thanks again Michelle for taking the time to gab with me. And I love your new movie!
Michelle: Thank you! [the end]

back to top