Julia Stiles Reflects on Disheartening Experience with Harvey Weinstein
Julia Stiles recently shared her uncomfortable experiences working with Harvey Weinstein on the film Down to You, a teen romantic comedy she described as “executed very poorly.”This revelation came during her appearance on the Films To Be Buried with Brett Goldstein podcast.
A Look Back at the Film’s Production
During the interview, Stiles reflected on the early 2000s, a peak era for teen romantic comedies. She noted that while the film’s script, penned by first-time director Kris Isacsson, held potential, it ultimately fell victim to Weinstein’s influence. “He capitalized on the popularity of the genre,”she explained. “What started as a well-crafted script became dumbed down.’
The Impact of Weinstein’s Decisions
Stiles expressed her frustration with Weinstein’s attempts to leverage her previous successes. She recalled being told that Weinstein wanted to include unnecessary dance sequences, reminiscent of her roles in successful films like Save The Last Dance and 10 Things I Hate About You. “They were pouring money into the film in ways that just didn’t make sense,”she remarked.
Feeling Uncomfortable on Set
Despite her passion for dance, Stiles found the demand for added dance scenes baffling and uninspired. “I would make a whole movie dancing,”she stated, “but this didn’t fit my character, Imogen. It felt so contrived, like, ‘Okay, let’s get her on a pool table.’ It wasn’t even imaginative.”
She candidly admitted, “I felt so slimy doing it the whole time.” The actress expressed disappointment at the lack of integrity in the filmmaking process and questioned whether such scenes even made it into the final cut, asserting that they detracted from the narrative instead of enhancing it.
About Down to You
Down to You stars Freddie Prinze Jr. alongside Stiles and follows the love story between college students Al and Imogen. Their shared romance is hindered by their fears of commitment, leading them to part ways throughout the film.
As the film industry continues to grapple with the fallout from Weinstein’s actions, Stiles’ insights spotlight the ongoing challenges faced by actors as they navigate artistic integrity and external pressures.