Amy Adams has charmed audiences for over a decade — most recently in Julie and Julia. Adams’ latest is the romantic comedy Leap Year, co-starring British charmer Matthew Goode.
Adams is a two-time Oscar nominee, for her stunning turn across Meryl Streep in Doubt and Junebug. It was her performance in Disney’s Enchanted that first endeared Adams to a global fan base in the tens of millions.
Since rendering audiences Enchanged, Adams’ acting resume is nothing short of impressive including Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Charlie Wilson’s War, Sunshine Cleaning and Talladega Nights opposite Will Ferrell.
a Leap with Amy Adams
SheKnows: There are two sides to your character of Anna — pragmatic and romantic — which appealed to you more when tackling the role?
Amy Adams: I have both aspects of the character in me — I think I tend to be rally pragmatic, but ultimately tend to be attracted to people that pull me into more spontaneity. It is through surrender that the best experiences of my life have happened. That’s what attracted me to this story. The thinking you have control and then finding an amazing life for yourself.
SheKnows: Are you spontaneous?
Amy Adams: I try to be – but I guess (laughs) me trying to be spontaneous is by definition not spontaneous (laughs). Probably not as much as I’d like to be.
SheKnows: The heels you have to wear in Leap Year — even in some of those Irish locales — there must have been some serious pain?
Amy Adams: I actually love high heels. It’s never easy, but I didn’t have to learn to walk in heels, no (laughs). But, I did have to learn how to walk on those Irish hills and grassy areas. I cut my foot actually at one point! No twisted ankles, thankfully (laughs).
Romantic comedy women 2010
SheKnows: Films such as The Proposal have recently clicked with audiences that are new millennium romantic comedies portraying women as someone who needs to take it slower to find love.
Amy Adams: I think it’s because women are taking more and more responsibility in the workplace and the home. We really are trying to have it all. I think that’s why these films are so relatable to women and men today to see that in film.
SheKnows: Plus, as a guy, it’s fun to see a film truly capture the female partners we all have in our own lives in 2010.
Amy Adams: Especially in this film. Matthew (Goode) is so masculine and men will like watching him enjoy Anna suffering (laughs).
SheKnows: Now, central to this film is the idea that a woman will be the one making the proposal. Is that something you have ever considered?
Amy Adams: It’s something I would consider. I thought about it. I waited for six years and I ultimately decided not to because I knew it was important to my fiance now. I knew that was important to him. I think if you had the type of relationship where it would be OK with the guy — it’ll be OK.
SheKnows: Six years, you were patient.
Amy Adams: Well, the second year I wasn’t so patient (laughs). But, then I just realized I needed to sit back and relax and enjoy the journey with him.
Leap off the script?
SheKnows: The director, Anand Tucker, let you all go a little off script…
Amy Adams: It depended on the scene. There were scenes that were more open to improvising, but he allowed for improv. The scene with the cows, you have to be loose with that because they don’t cooperate as much as you try to train a cow (laughs). I don’t think they’re programmed to cooperate (laughs). The elements in Ireland, outside, it was raining when it was supposed to be sunny and sunny when it was supposed to be rainy, he really rolled with it. We really had to be really loose.
SheKnows: How was being in Ireland?
Amy Adams: Being in Ireland informed it a lot. It really helped to see how you could surrender your entire life for this place and being able to fall in love with the place and the people of the place. Ireland has that quality. You feel so welcomed. You feel like it’s home. Being in Ireland helped me understand Anna’s pull towards it.
SheKnows: We were truly taken with Matthew Goode. How was he to work with?
Amy Adams: He’s so great and funny and smart. America is just going to love him. He brought so much to this role. He enjoyed playing Declan. I love the character of Declan. He was perfect in it.
SheKnows: Did you always know you wanted to act in films?
Amy Adams: I knew I wanted to be a performer. I never thought I would be in film. I always envisioned being on the stage. I was quite young, like anyone that is drawn to performance. It’s silly, but my dad would write these skits with my six siblings. The rehearsal process and even then coming up with a character — I had fun with it. I wanted to be a doctor, but I couldn’t pass chemistry. I guess I should do something I enjoy and acting came easier than math (laughs).
SheKnows: We have spoken a few times now, and honestly I am so struck by how grounded you are…
Amy Adams: You need to be, you have to realize that it is all cyclical. In this field, you have to stay grateful and realize how lucky you are and enjoy the ride.
SheKnows: Other than planning a wedding and having a baby, what’s nexgt for Amy Adams?
Amy Adams: I just finished The Fighter and taking some time off, probably until next summer.
SheKnows: See you then, Amy.
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