Killing Them Softly

However Di Novi works it, she seems in the business for the long haul. After Little Women and James and the Giant Peach, her dance card includes The Model Daughter, a scalding look at the modeling world that she calls "a Heathers reunion" of director Michael Lehmann, writer Dan Waters and herself. But don't expect her to be involved with the third Batman movie, which Joel Schumacher will direct. "There's no reason for me, contractually, to be involved," she says. "If Tim was directing it, I certainly think I'd do it. But, really, one of those movies in a lifetime is enough."

As Di Novi and I talk, the outside world continues to press for her attention. There is a call from Winona Ryder, whose mother, Di Novi mentions in passing, edited an anthology which includes Little Women author Louisa May Alcott. Then a production crew member calls, hoping to work on that same movie. Di Novi herself interrupts to phone an agent back merely to thank him for sending her an early copy of the hot script of the instant.

"I really believe that you can get the job done and not be a killer," she tells me as she walks me out of her domain. "I think it's part of the mythology that you have to be that way." I observe to Di Novi that, as she undoubtedly knows, there are many ways to kill. She thinks this over, laughs, then after a moment, adds, "My father taught me: 'Kill them with kindness.' Sometimes when people are being horrible to me, I am even nicer to them and it's very humiliating for them. I find that works. It's important for me to feel okay about myself. I hate to hate myself. Nothing is so important to me to make me feel really bad about myself. Not even making a movie."

____________

Stephen Rebello interviewed Alfre Woodard for the May Movieline.

Pages: 1 2 3 4