STAR MATES: Drink, drugs & pre-nups

GEORGE CLOONEY

First off, what would be intolerable cruelty for you?

GC: Hah! It's like a... bikini wax.

This movie is extremely cynical about marriage. As a bachelor, do you feel there's anything optimistic about marriage?

GC: Yeah - being married to Michael Douglas.

The movie also satirises pre-nuptial agreements. How important do you think they are?

GC: I think pre-nups are very important. I have a pre-nup and I'm not married. I have one with anybody I go to dinner with: sign this - you can't get out of it!

What's the best and worst thing about working with Catherine?

GC: Hah! Can we start with the worst? The worst thing is that we had to stop. We had such a fun time doing this movie. Catherine would show up and we'd have a blast. All of us. It's not just a bunch of guys, it's a family. Everyone from Joel and Ethan (the Coen Brothers, who directed the movie) to the cinematographer and all the crew. But the first time you walk in, it's a little intimidating - then it takes about four seconds to feel comfortable.

So no point in asking you the best thing about working with her?

GC: Well, I loved the fact that Catherine was pregnant while we were doing the movie - you know, that sparkle in her eyes. But it's everything... I mean, just look at her. She's such a talent. She's beautiful, she's smart, and she's funny. We've become very good friends.

Did you feel that special sparkle was for you?

GC: I did! I feel a little hurt now.

You play a lawyer. How do you really feel about lawyers?

GC: Lawyers? Oh, they're fun. They're a mixed blessing. They can be irritating and we think we can live without them, then every once in a while you think, it would be nice to have a good one. I feel the same way about lawyers as I do about actors.

Did you and Catherine model your characters on anyone you know?

GC: Ben and Jen. No, the fun part of our characters is that they both don't realise the trouble they're in emotionally until they run into each other. They're both sort of romantics in these horrible screwed-up lives that they live. We know what's going to happen - surprise, they're going to get together, now there's a shock. But it seemed like the journey was more interesting and a little darker.

How do you deal with the downsides of celebrity?

GC: Part of it is a trade-off. And you just sort of have to steel yourself when you go out. You know that the walk, say, to the market will be a more public event than it would have been a few years ago. Sometimes you're prepared for it and sometimes you don't go out because of that. But it's not something where you feel sorry for yourself.

How do you stay stress-free?

GC: I drink. With drugs. If you drink with the drugs... ha ha, try this at home, kids.

And does having your new villa in Italy help?

GC: It's the best thing I've ever done. Having it is life- altering. I come from the world of, 'If you stop working, you're unemployed forever.' So the only real vacations I've taken have been work-related, but this summer I was like, 'You know what? I've got a house, I'm gonna go.' I spent three months there and did nothing. I recommend it. Everybody came to visit me. Catherine came by this summer. There's sun, swimming... I charge, though.

What's next for you?

GC: Ocean's Twelve. We start in March next year. We're shooting a little bit in Paris and Amsterdam, and then in Rome for a while. Yeah, it's a tough shoot, really awful. Julia Roberts is on board, the whole gang is back. We decided to do it for 5% less pay, then we can say we're there because we want to be there. Julia got $19.

CATHERINE

ZETA JONES

So Catherine, what is intolerable cruelty as far as you're concerned?

CZJ: It means... mean.

The film presents a pessimistic view of marriage. How do you keep your marriage positive?

CZJ: Take a day at a time. And be kind. In our business, we meet a lot of people and sometimes you spend so much time being nice to strangers, you forget to be nice to each other. Just keep a clear head, and be nice to each other. That's all the advice I can give.

And it helps being married to Michael Douglas?

CZJ: Ah, yes.

What's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you?

CZJ: My three-year-old boy telling me I have the prettiest eyes he's ever seen. He makes me feel very special.

What are your thoughts about pre-nuptial agreements?

CZJ: Well, George has one - with his dog. People sign whatever they want to sign, or do whatever they want to do.

What was the best and worst thing about working with George?

CZJ: He's great to work with. I want to do it all again. We'd met briefly before, at a screening of Traffic. When we were doing our first scene, which was in a restaurant, it was just like, 'Hi. Nice to meet you.' It was very easy working with George. And fun, fun, fun. Sorry, I can't think of a worst thing.

Did you base your gold-digging character on anyone in Hollywood?

CZJ: No. Poor Hollywood - these things happen all over the world. But no, I didn't. I do know people who divorce a lot and who have really nice houses. But I didn't model my character on anyone in particular. And if I did, I would never tell the name.

Do you find the show-business world fickle?

CZJ: It's a big old family. There's no people like show people. And it makes me laugh. You have to laugh, otherwise it would make you nuts.

George says you sparkled during the film, but it wasn't down to him, you'd just fallen pregnant.

CZJ: I'm not going to mention specific dates but just at the end of the movie, I got pregnant, yeah.

So George didn't have anything to do with it?

CZJ: Oh God, I'm in trouble now. No, it was at the end of the movie. I'm having a great time with my children. I have a little lady in waiting, who is gonna drive her dad nuts in about 15 years. And my son is terrific. He's a showman. He's fun to be around.

So you've been to George's magnificent Italian retreat?

CZJ: Yes, it's fabulous. George is welcome to swing by my house too, it's not too far away - in Spain.

Has parenting changed you?

CZJ: Michael and I try to never raise our voices to our children or one another when they are around. It makes for a more tranquil environment for everyone.

Sounds very calming. How do you stay stress-free?

CZJ: I take drugs like everybody else I know.

You've become an icon, but what makes you feel beautiful?

CZJ: Being relaxed within myself - that gives me a kind of confidence, being relaxed and stress-free.

What's next for you?

CZJ: I'm doing a movie with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks in three weeks called Terminal. There may also be a Zorro 2 so I could be pouring myself into that corset again soon. I'd also love to do another musical. I just fear after Chicago there's going to be a remake of every musical that's ever been on Broadway. But I'd love to do another one. I also want to do a Broadway show, like Oh! Calcutta! or Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. And I have a big ambition to do a tacky Vegas show. With drag queens.

Intolerable Cruelty is at cinemas now

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