“I had such a strong disdain for it”: Scarlett Johansson experienced a profound “gut reaction” to Tom Cruise’s last film directed by Stanley Kubrick, and ended up seeing it on three separate occasions at the cinema.
Scarlett Johansson is widely recognized as one of the most talented and versatile actresses in the entertainment industry. Not only has she captivated the public with her performances, but she has also gained a dedicated fan base, especially through her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What sets Johansson apart is her ability to express her unique perspective and provide honest responses to questions. In Jonathan Glazer’s 2013 film “Under My Skin,” Johansson portrayed a mysterious woman who seduced Scottish men. The film, which took over ten years to create, premiered to critical acclaim, with Johansson receiving praise for her exceptional portrayal. In an interview, she discussed the reviews the film received before delving into her opinions on “Eyes Wide Shut.”
Scarlett Johansson had a change of heart about the movie Eyes Wide Shut. In an interview with The Guardian in 2014, the actress, known for her role in Under My Skin, shared her initial dislike for the film. She recalled attending a screening of the movie and being unsure how to respond to the audience’s mixed reactions of cheering and booing.
During the same interview, artistic director Alberto Barbera also remembered the screening of Under My Skin at the Venice Film Festival. He described it as one of the worst screenings he had witnessed, with the audience even booing. Johansson was reportedly on the verge of tears. Despite the initial negativity, she had faith in the movie’s potential and tried to assure Barbera that it would receive recognition in the future. And indeed, she was right, as the film has now gained a cult following.
Initially, Scarlett Johansson did not have a positive reaction to the film Eyes Wide Shut, which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman and was released in 1999. In fact, she hated it so much that she had a visceral reaction and vowed to watch it again. After seeing it for the second and third time, her opinion completely shifted and she ended up loving the film. Johansson believes that her initial hatred stemmed from the intense emotional experience it evoked, but she now appreciates the passion behind it and acknowledges that she can’t fully fault a film that elicits such a strong reaction.
When asked about why she chose to be a part of the film Under My Skin, where she plays an alien and the cast consists of regular people instead of actors, Johansson explained that she was intrigued by the director Jonathan’s struggle to figure out the story and what attracted him to it. While it wasn’t his passion project, Johansson saw the opportunity to portray a character who is an alien, allowing her to be completely observant without any judgment. She found it incredibly challenging and intriguing to play a character that is free of judgment and lacks any emotional connection that she could personally relate to.
In the film “Under My Skin,” Scarlett Johansson expressed her excitement about taking on a new and unfamiliar role. She found it intriguing because it was a departure from her previous work, yet she had confidence in her ability to portray the character effectively. Johansson also revealed her delight in working with everyday individuals who were randomly chosen from the streets. There was even playful consideration given to the idea of incorporating prosthetics and dental enhancements to further enhance their appearance.