Jennifer Aniston Watch

Whether your nearest and dearest celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Festivus, or just a December birthday, you are most likely looking for gifts right about now. Well, if you have a fellow Jen fan on your list, here are a few ideas (provided, of course, that your recipient does not already possess these items):

DVD’s

Dirt: Season 1 Here’s one that nobody has yet, as its release date is December 11. Not only does Jen’s costar and confidante Courteney star in this FX series, but Jen herself appears in the season finale as rival editor Tina Harrod. And yes, they kissed. This set is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, and it hits stores on Tuesday.

Office Space - Special Edition with Flair This cult classic was rereleased a couple of years ago with additional special features, including behind-the-scenes interviews and deleted scenes. Available on Amazon and anywhere DVD’s are sold.

Friends - The Complete Series Collection While the Frienatic on your list most likely already has all, or at least most, of the series on DVD, those who don’t will without a doubt regard this comprehensive, collectible 40-disk set as the ultimate Friends jackpot. Available on Amazon.

Decor

Rumor Has It poster Allposters.com carries this full-size, double sided poster - and promises delivery by December 24.

Derailed poster Poster Check Out carries this poster - as well as posters for Bruce Almighty and Along Came Polly.

Framed Rolling Stone cover This retro portrait of Jen and her Friends costars is framed for display - and also available for timely delivery.

Jennifer Aniston, gift ideas

There’s a first time for everything, and someone with a career as successful and varied as Jen’s has certainly had some unique experiences. Whether in front of the camera or behind it, Jen has made some interesting choices, and she is poised to surprise many with her future projects. Here, then, is a sampling of some of Jen’s “first times”:

First film Leprechaun was Jen’s very first big-screen venture, and one that she has long seemed eager to move on from. The campy horror flick is noted as a prime example of Jen’s pre-Friends work, and while it is regarded by many as something of a novelty, any viewer can see the young talent that would soon find a more fitting home on Friends.

More under the cut (some spoilers): (more…)

In Friends With Money, Jen plays Olivia, a single woman who is searching for a career and a husband of her own while surrounded by friends who have already achieved these objectives. She cleans houses to make ends meet while she searches for her calling; therefore, she spends most of the film in very casual clothing. As a contrast to her wealthier counterparts, on a daily basis Olivia favors an aesthetic that falls somewhere between shabby chic and just plain shabby, although on Jen this look reads as simply natural and bohemian. However, this is not to say that she doesn’t clean up nicely; for a gala near the end of the movie, she wears a formal dress designed by Jane (Frances McDormand) and looks beautiful. While much is made of Olivia’s limited means, it seems that even outside of these constraints, Olivia is weary of the fussiness that surrounds her in L.A. and prefers to keep things simple.

This simple, go-with-the-flow approach extended to her hair and makeup. Prior to this production, Jen had recently wrapped Derailed. Having darkened her hair to play Lucinda, the look also worked for Olivia, whose low-maintenance aesthetic is well-suited by a natural-looking shade of brown and an unfussy style. Not much effort was made in the makeup department, either, due to director Nicole Holofcener’s commitment to authenticity. She has often expressed a distaste for the overuse of age-defying measures in Hollywood, and makes a somewhat ironic statement about it, with Olivia’s hoarding of anti-aging skin care. Nevertheless, Jen wore very little makeup as Olivia, and proved that in her case at least, natural is beautiful.

Jennifer Aniston, Friends With Money, wardrobe, beauty, Nicole Holofcener

Back in 2004, many were surprised to hear of Jen’s decision to star in Derailed. The role of Lucinda Harris was radically different from anything that Jen had ever played before, and for that reason she had to adopt a far sultrier look than is typical for her. This challenge was approached from the top down; her hair, typically a lighter shade, was dyed very dark for the role. This change was then complimented by a very sophisticated wardrobe fitting the typical look of a high-powered Chicago executive. A staple of Lucinda’s wardrobe was the classic trench, fitting both her businesslike persona and the noir feel of the film. A major plot point of the film is Charles’ sexual attraction to her, so much of the wardrobe was close-fitting and slightly revealing. Color was used very effectively, as the dark shades that Lucinda wore contributed to the shadowy feel of her scenes and provided an important contrast to Charles’ blonde, very suburban wife. Jen pulled off the mysterious look beautifully.

Jennifer Aniston, Derailed, costuming, film noir

While Jen doesn’t have any children in real life, judging by her onscreen roles, she’d be a natural. She has often played the part of a mother or expectant mother, and always brings warmth and realism to the part. Here is a sampling of such roles (some may be spoilerish):

Friends At the end of season 7, it was revealed that Rachel was expecting, and a season later, she and Ross welcomed Emma. The remainder of the series saw Rachel juggling the demands of parenting with work, love, and life.

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Those who have seen Derailed quite clearly remember the Lake Hotel, as a very pivotal scene takes place there. In real life, however, the facade belongs to an apartment building called The Elms. Located on the Gold Coast at 18 East Elm, The Elms houses studio and 1 bedroom apartments; for apartment hunters and the curious alike, check out the property at BJB Partners.

In my recent travels, I had the opportunity to take a few snapshots:

filming locations, Derailed, Chicago properties

Ted Casablanca is not exactly known for his kindness to Jen; however, in yesterday’s column, he did manage to compliment her where it is due:

Dear Ted:
Jennifer Aniston is not that funny, true. But she is sort of fun to watch on the small screen, and she is actually good in the seriously dramatic/crying scenes in her movies. Makes me think she’s been miscast: I’d love to see her grow some balls and play a truly nasty/scary/crazy be-yotch.
June
West Hollywood, California
Dear Casting Couch:
Agreed—and remember, she was divine in Derailed.

A bit backhanded, but nevertheless, it speaks well of Jen’s performance that even a noted nonfan made sure to praise it.

Jennifer Aniston, Ted Casablanca, Derailed

Jen, Vince, et al take in a Cubs game, May 2006

In the past few years, Jen has starred in two films set here in Chicago (Derailed and, of course, The Break-Up). It is then not surprising that Jen has been spotted at several popular Chicago spots, some of which she counts as favorites. Here, then, is the opportunity for my fellow Windy City residents (and interested visitors) to capture a bit of the magic:

Cuisine

- Wiener’s Circle This humble-looking hot dog stand at 2622 North Clark is not only a Jen fave (she’s been seen here on multiple occasions), but my own pick for best hot dog in Chicago as well. And as Jen can attest, they yell at you! It is quite the experience.

- Japonais This upscale sushi lounge is another favorite for Jen, where she has been spotted not only with Vince and other usual suspects, but with Oprah as well. With its delicious food and classy ambiance, it is worth the splurge (600 W. Chicago Ave.).

- Coco Pazzo During the filming of The Break-Up, Jen and other cast and crew were often seen enjoying the exquisite Tuscan cuisine at this River North spot (300 W. Hubbard St.).

- Costa’s For Vince’s 36th birthday in March 2006 (during reshoots for The Break-Up), he and Jen enjoyed this Greektown staple (340 S. Halsted St.).

- Chilpancingo In November 2004, Jen and her Derailed costars were seen at this Mexican restaurant in River North (358 W. Ontario). It has since closed and been replaced by Zocalo, another upscale Mexican spot.

Culture

- Museum of Science and Industry On a day off from filming The Break-Up, Jen came down to Hyde Park to check out the Body Worlds exhibit featured at MSI two summers ago. Check out Winnie’s article on the 451 Press Chicago blog for info on the latest MSI happenings.

- Museum of Contemporary Art That same summer, Jen was spotted here, and so can you be, for free on Tuesdays. Peggy sings its praises, and I agree, it’s a pretty awesome place.

Filming locations
Here are the places where Jen has been seen filming in Chicago:

Derailed
- State and Elm
- Union Station
- the Loop

The Break-Up
- Wrigley Field
- The Riviera Theater
- Grant Park
- Millennium Park
- Armitage (near the Brown Line)
- Smith & Wollensky
- North Michigan Ave. (near Ohio)
- General Jones Armory (used as a soundstage)
- North Avenue Beach

Other

- Music Box Theater The Chicago premiere of The Break-Up was held here (3733 N. Southport Ave.).

- Wrigley Field Kind of an obvious attraction, she took in a Cubs game with Vince and several others in May 2006.

- The Peninsula Chicago Where Jen stays.

Chicago, tourism, culture, dining, The Break-Up, Derailed, Jennifer Aniston

Jen has said that the opportunity to work with Clive Owen was a major factor in her decision to play Lucinda in Derailed, and to hear Jen tell it, he did not disappoint:

“Of course, Clive Owen didn’t hurt and he truly is as wonderful a person as he is an actor.”

Born in 1964 in Coventry, England, Clive Owen is a distinguished actor on both stage and screen. Much like Jen, he discovered his passion for acting at a young age, and went on to pursue formal training, at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in Clive’s case. A veteran of the Young Vic Theatre Company, he has made his mark in features such as Croupier, Gosford Park, Closer (for which he was Oscar-nominated), and most recently Children of Men (for more on this film see Pop Buzz UK). He is married to actress Sarah-Jane Fenton, with whom he has two daughters.

In Derailed, Clive plays Charles Schine, an advertising executive who meets Jen’s Lucinda on the train. Despite their respective marriages, their lust for one another quickly surfaces, and if you don’t know how the story proceeds from there, that can be very easily remedied by seeing it (or reading the novel by James Siegel). Clive was an ideal choice for the role; he gave Charles a unique combination of vulnerability and intelligence that was essential for the progression and eventual outcome of the story.

Clive Owen, Jennifer Aniston, Derailed, Children of Men

Many of Jen’s films, both past and rumored for the future, are based upon prior works of fiction. This presents a unique challenge, as many who have read a given book already have imagined the characters in their own way, and it is quite difficult for all involved with the film to satisfy such expectations. When done well, though, adaptations hold up brilliantly on their own. Here are a few that Jen either has been a part of, or may possibly do in the future:

The Object Of My Affection This film is based upon Stephen MacCauley’s 1987 novel about Nina Borowski, a feminist social worker whose closest friendship is with George, her gay roommate. Complications ensue when Nina becomes pregnant by her boyfriend, but wants to raise the child with George. Jen was an ideal choice for the role, as the combination of warmth and independence that is evident in Nina comes naturally to her, and she suits the bohemian look that is often brought up as one of Nina’s quirks. She and costar Paul Rudd also had the opportunity to show off some fancy footwork years before Dancing With The Stars made it commonplace. The script did not delve into Nina’s politics as much as the novel did, but through the perfect pairing of Jen and Paul in the leads, the film captured the heart of the story.

Derailed Many doubted Jen’s ability to convincingly play troubled beauty Lucinda Harris in this adaptation of James Siegel’s hit thriller (for more on thrillers, see Fiction Scribe’s interview with crime fiction author Elsa Neal). As Jen had made her name in comedy, she did not seem like an obvious choice for the dramatic role; furthermore, in the novel Lucinda is described as a dark brunette, and coming off of production for Rumor Has It, Jen did not quite look the part. However, Jen committed to the role, not only having her hair cut and dyed to match Lucinda’s, but diving right into the deep end with some harrowing scenes that would challenge an actress of any genre. She brought a deeper humanity to the role than the stereotype of the femme fatale would indicate, and in doing so she not only fulfilled but surpassed the original idea of the character.

Rumored adaptations

Wanted As I mentioned last week, it seems that Jen is signed to play framed Texas police officer Diane Wellman in an adaptation of Kim Wozencraft’s Wanted. This production has seen many delays, but I would like to remain hopeful that it will happen, as I am certain that Jen will shine in the part.

Grace and Grit Jen and her production partners are also rumored to be in talks with Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute about a film adaptation of his nonfiction work Grace and Grit, about his wife Treya’s struggle with breast cancer and her spiritual journey. It is unclear whether Jen will star in the film or work behind the scenes, but it does seem that either way, she will have an active voice in nurturing the concept. This book is a favorite of mine, and an adaptation will do wonders in expanding the audience for Wilber’s philosophy.

Adaptations, fiction, nonfiction, Jennifer Aniston, Object of My Affection, Derailed, Wanted, Grace and Grit, Ken Wilber, Kim Wozencraft, James Siegel, Stephen MacCauley

Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle has some high praise for Jen’s performance in Derailed:

Dear Mick: I just saw “Body Heat” and was surprised at how wonderful the film looks after 26 years. Why aren’t there more “evil woman” roles in the movies? Is Hollywood afraid of casting the current stars in a truly evil mode? Or are the stars themselves afraid of this kind of “heat”?

Ken Vermes, San Rafael

Dear Ken: Evil women go in and out of style, but they pop up in abundance in periods of history in which sex is associated with danger. So there was a plethora of evil women in the 1910s, but as the 1920s became free-spirited, they disappeared. Then they came back in the 1940s and ’50s, and disappeared in the ’60s and ’70s. The 1980s, with herpes and then AIDS, saw the return of evil women and film noir, but that phase ran its course (and reached its apotheosis) with John Dahl’s “The Last Seduction” in 1994. Evil women have been common in eras when censorship is most stringent. The filmmakers want to show sexy women, but because the censors mandate that sex must be punished, the sexy woman has to be evil. That was the formula in the ’40s and ’50s. However, it is true that the stars themselves are reluctant to play evil, which means they miss some opportunities. That’s one of the reasons I appreciated what Jennifer Aniston did in “Derailed.”

Also, a reader very kindly brought to my attention x17’s sighting of Jen and Courteney at Sunset Towers with Penelope Cruz: http://x17online.com/…/guess_whos_coming_to_dinner.php. Forewarned is forearmed: The assortment of opinion and eloquence in their comment section is rather, er, mixed.

Finally, I’d like to bring your attention to an article on Aniston Center written by the fabulous Kamia. Currently at the top of the front page, the article very bravely takes on the rumor mill, and Kamia makes some excellent points about today’s gossip culture.

Jennifer Aniston, Derailed, film noir, femme fatale, sightings, gossip

Over the years, many of Jen’s costars and colleagues have had great things to say about her work ethic, professionalism, and kindness. Here are some examples:

Herschel Bleefeld: “In ‘Bruce Almighty’ I worked for the whole day with Jennifer Aniston and she was totally sweet to everyone and chatted, but I was way too intimidated to even say a word to her. At the end of the day … she said to me, ‘Even though we didn’t really get to talk, it was so nice to meet you.’ I left the set on cloud nine,” Source: new article

Bryan Adams: “We shot this photo in the back of a parking lot in Los Angeles. Jennifer is so lovely, she was on the set of her new film and was nearing the end of her day but there was an army waiting for her to get out of her trailer and into the car.”

Courteney Cox Arquette: “When she first arrived [on the set of Dirt] everyone was really quiet. It was like they were giving her respect and I was like, ‘This is my bud Jen. Come on people, let’s have some fun.’ And by day two everyone was more loose, and by day three we were having a ball.”

Doug Liman (who wanted to cast Jen in a film but didn’t get to): “The next year, Jennifer got Friends. I was like, You guys were idiots not to let me cast the person I wanted.”

Shirley MacLaine: “I’m really proud of her for the way she is handling this while also being an icon - if you can be one at 36 - of knowing what to do when you get trampled in public. Her emotional discipline is extraordinary, and I really want to compliment her for that.”

Debra Messing: “Jennifer is so lovely - you forget she’s famous after about three minutes of talking to her.”

Melissa George: “I love this girl so much. She was so good to me and she’s so beautiful in person. I can’t even get over that. When you see her physically, it makes sense. I was just like, ‘Yeah, perfect, great casting’.”

Jennifer Aniston, quotes, costars, work

As fans of Jen and her work, we would, of course, like to know what Jen has to say about her various projects. Here, then, is an assortment of Jen’s quotes about work:

“Mostly I like scripts that mix it up. Life can be funny and dramatic all in the same day. I don’t actually feel there’s a big difference between comedy and drama. You just step into the building and stuff goes out the door. Most of all, I just want to do work that comes from the heart.” - Chicago Sun-Times, January 2004

On Friends With Money
“It was great. A great group of women. I’ve never worked with all women. It was like camp. Actor camp. I felt very supported.” - Vogue, April 2006

“I think I’ve been lucky finding, once in a while, these little parts that are just so beautifully written. I read the [Friends With Money] script in about an hour and I just loved all these characters, especially Olivia. I thought, boy, she was really having a tough go at it.” - Entertainment Weekly, April 4, 2006

On The Break-Up
“I love this movie. I have a good feeling about it. It’s beautifully balanced and surprisingly emotional. I don’t think anyone has really seen anything quite like it.” - Vogue, April 2006

“This movie was fate. To be able to walk through a movie called The Break-up, about a person going through a breakup, while I’m actually going through a breakup?! How did that happen?! It’s been cathartic. It’s turned something into a fantastic experience - Not that divorce is fantastic, but I’ve never had more fun in a creative process.” - Elle, November 2005

On Derailed
“It took me so long to say yes because I was terrified of it. Not terrified—I don’t want to say that. But I’d gotten comfortable, and I knew it was going to be a challenge.”

Tell Aniston the ghost of Rachel Green did not appear once while watching Derailed and she squeezes her eyes shut, opens them, reaches her hand across the table, and says, “That is one of my greatest compliments.”

“I’m thinking, Good God, Jesus. It’s like watching a car wreck—you’re riveted and then disturbed. I thought, Why would I want to make someone feel this way?” - Elle, November 2005

On Along Came Polly
“It was five straight days where all we did was dance. My feet looked like raw meat. In fact, I don’t know how dancers do it.” - Chicago Sun-Times, January 2004

I don’t have to be “not-so-critical” to say that Jen truly has something to be proud of here. She took a role that was incredibly different from herself and from previous roles, and she really knocked it out of the park. She appears as Lucinda, a beautiful young woman whom our main protagonist, Charles (Clive Owen), encounters on the train one day. They share war stories about their respective spouses and children, but all interactions ultimately lead them to a seedy hotel room. Their affair is then cut short by the entrance of Laroche (Vincent Cassel), a criminal who knows no boundaries. Soon, a lot is at stake for Charles, as he feels increasingly guilty for Lucinda’s own nightmare. The story surprises with its twists and turns, and is elevated by solid performances by all actors involved.

Here is my Chicago Maroon review:

Derailed stays on course with help from Owen, Aniston

The movie-going public faces a dilemma upon the release of any film that is based on a novel: to read the book first or not? In the case of Derailed, based on the novel by James Siegel - and perhaps in the case of any film that claims to be a thriller - it would be wise not to read the book first. This film, the Weinsteins’ first post-Miramax release, is entertaining and fast paced, if slightly uneven, and it is a ride that you may be more willing to go along with if you do not know where it is going.

We take this journey through the eyes of Charles Schine (Clive Owen), a Wilmette-based ad executive with a teenage daughter suffering from Type 1 diabetes and a marriage in which both he and his wife Deanna (Melissa George) are merely going through the motions. One fateful morning, he misses his usual Metra commute into Chicago, and it is not until he boards the next train that he realizes that he does not have $9 for his ticket.

Enter Lucinda Harris (Jennifer Aniston), a beautiful brunette across the aisle who offers to pay for him. They get to talking, and Charles seeks Lucinda out on another morning commute. He soon finds out that Lucinda lives in Lake Forest and is in a loveless marriage of her own. Polite conversation leads to flirtation over drinks, which leads to a seedy hotel downtown. It is in the beginning stages of this hotel tryst that things begin to go horribly, terribly wrong for the pair, as they find themselves at the hands of villain Laroche (Vincent Cassell) and a chain of plot twists follows.

The film’s pace is satisfactory, and the story’s many turns keep the viewer engaged, even with the odd jump in plausibility. Charles is a character whom you really want to pull for, but every so often his actions push the boundaries of the “smart people do dumb things” adage. Furthermore, a Chicago audience will find certain public transportation inconsistencies to be jarring. For example, the Red Line is a CTA train rather than a Metra train (as everyone reading this knows), and the Union Pacific North Line - which does travel to Chicago through Lake Forest and Wilmette - does not cost $9 from any point, and it would arrive at Ogilvie Transportation Center, not Union Station. But I digress.

The film’s performances make it worth watching, however. It has been said that the dashing Owen is ill-suited to the role of perpetual victim Charles, but the character is less a wimp, necessarily, than he is an innocent who is clueless regarding the other side of the law. Owen’s brooding sensibility lends itself nicely to the many moral and tactical dilemmas that Charles faces.

Aniston plays radically against type, deviating from her quite familiar look and mannerisms as Lucinda. She does plenty with her rather limited screen time, lending the character a pathos that makes Justine Last (her adulteress character in 2002’s The Good Girl) look downright uncomplicated - and resisting the one-note femme fatale direction that the character of Lucinda might have taken in other hands. Cassell has a grand old time as Laroche; this is not his first time as a slimy villain, nor will it be his last. He walks a very thin line between menacing and simply showy, and falls on a different side in each scene.

Derailed does not profess to do anything earth-shattering; indeed, stylistically it owes much to thrillers from the ’70s, and the story itself is very much by the book, so to speak, save for a few minor plot points. However, it is an engaging film, elevated by many solid performances, and it is good entertainment for a weekend evening when you feel like dialing down the volume on your brain for a couple of hours.

Jennifer Aniston, Clive Owen, Vincent Cassell, Melissa George, Derailed, drama, thriller, Chicago