Dear(est) Abby

I really admire her. She is the founding father of first ladies.

•What do you mean? What was wrong with Martha Washington?

Martha was a little boring. It’s true that Abigail was an intellectual who wrote thousands of letters to her husband, John, the country’s second president and her partner in a progressive marriage. She was a much better writer than her husband was. She was very envious of men and the education that they were provided.

•Can you recite a line or two from one of her letters?

“Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.”

•There’s no nudity in the show, even though it’s on HBO.

Oh, it’s in there.

•Really? Are you saying a founding father is shown having sex?

•You were nominated recently for your third Academy Award for your role in The Savages.

People come up to me and say, “Oh, I’m so sorry you lost.” What did I lose? I didn’t lose a thing.

•That’s sane of you. What do you think of Marion Cotillard, who just won best actress for her performance as Edith Piaf?

Of the five of us, that performance was on a whole other level. It just was.

•Compared with her and other European actresses, you look so all-American. Do you like your appearance?

Sometimes.

•You’re not flashy.

That’s probably accurate. I wasn’t the prettiest girl at school.

•You have a wholesome, scrubbed, nice-girl look.

Oh, dear. A lot of people don’t like nice girls.

•How would you compare your indie films to your more commercial films?

There are as many bad independent films as there are bad commercial films. I’ve been in some very good commercial films. Mystic River is a good movie. The Truman Show is a good movie.

•How many films have you made?

I’ve made over 30 films. I’m 44. I work a lot. I love working. It doesn’t feel like work.

... contd.