Cherry Jones
Cherry Jones, the quintessential actor's actor, has won nearly every prize imaginable for her stage work. She has been lauded for her performances in everything from The Heiress to Pride's Crossing to Tongue of a Bird and Moon for the Misbegotten. She has also appeared in the films Erin Brockovich, The Cradle Will Rock and The Perfect Storm. Now Jones has taken on a role that seems destined to touch a nerve during this week of political transition. She stars opposite Brooke Shields in Lifetime Television's What Makes a Family. Based on a true story, the film recounts a gay woman's fight to win custody of her little girl. Jones, who is open about her own homosexuality, took time to talk to Broadway.com about the movie, which airs on Lifetime.
How did you get involved with What Makes A Family?
Well, I literally just got a call from my agents about it. They sent a script and it was such an amazing tale. The producers said that they searched and searched and searched for a story like this one that had a just ending, and they'd all but given up hope when they found Janine and Joan's story because most of them do not have a happy ending for the gay parents. I was thrilled they waited until they found one that was hopeful and considering that the judge was really truly one of the most conservative judges in the state of Florida, it was kind of miraculous when you think of it that way. It was something that I really wanted to participate in, and I am so glad I did. We had such a good time making it. It was a wonderful group of women to be with and everyone was so pleased to be part of telling that story.
The story that the film is based on happened many years ago, why do you think it's important to tell it now?
I know that people have wanted to tell this story for a long time and I just think that this is the year that it finally all came together. It's awfully good timing. People, not only gay parents, have so few rights in this country as a family. I know that in my relationship with Mary [O'Connor--Jones' partner]-any gay couple is aware that if something happens to the other and they're put into a hospital--we have no rights. It doesn't matter if you've been with the person for 15 years or 50 years. You have no rights whatsoever over that person's care. It's just obscene in this country that that's still the case.
Are you very critical of how gays and lesbians are portrayed, especially on television?
Well, actually I haven't seen that many gays and lesbians on television. I don't watch a lot of television. I remember the things that I have been greatly affected by that have involved gay people that come to mind: Hal Holbrooke and Martin Sheen in That Certain Summer, which aired when I was a teenager-a gay teenager, no one, of course, knew at that point in my family--and I remember sitting at home and watching that. It had a tremendous affect on me because I thought I was all alone in the world. And then I saw If These Walls Could Talk 2. I only saw Marian Seldes and Vanessa Redgrave's part. Someone played it for us. We didn't get that premium channel. She laughs. I just thought it was a little masterpiece, that film by Jane Anderson. I was blown away by it. I just wish it could be seen by everyone because I think people would start to get how important it is for gay families to be considered as such.
Did you enjoy playing a pregnant woman and mother?
Oh, it was wonderful. It's the blessing of being an actress. You get to be a mother for a few hours a day.
Brooke Shields has said that shooting this film really brought out her maternal instinct. Did it stir up anything like that for you?
Not a thing. I love children. I love being with them, and I adored the little girl who played our daughter. We had so much fun together. She is a riot, that child.
So, you've never considered having children yourself?
Never, ever, ever. Mary and I are devoted aunts and damn good ones, too. Mary and I have both said that if a baby showed up on our doorstep in a basket, we'd both be terrific parents. But it's not been an overwhelming desire for either of us. We're lucky that way because I think that it must be so hard whether you're in a heterosexual relationship or a homosexual relationship if one person does and the other person doesn't want children. It must be so hard, but we've been spared from that dilemma.
How was it portraying a true character? There seems to be a lot of responsibility attached to doing a real story.
I was so pleased when I got to Toronto where we shot that the director and the producers were hypersensitive that we be very accurate in our portrayal of lupus. It's such a dreadful disease. There were lots of conferences with a specialist in lupus. I appreciate that were really trying to get that part of the story right, to honor those people who have suffered. I just want to add that the actual story took place 20 years ago, we updated it just to make it more accessible and so it didn't feel like a period piece-and also because none of the laws in Florida concerning gay adoption have changed in 20 years. But where I'm sorry that we updated is that there have been some advancements in the treatment of lupus and that is not made clear in the film, I don't think. There's more hope now than there was when our story actually took place.
Were you and Brooke nervous filming the intimate scenes?
You know, the very first intimate scene was when were dancing in a church basement. We have sort of our first kiss and I think that Brooke was a little nervous about that. I was much more nervous about having to dance to Cuban music. I have these sort of permanently fused WASP-like hips that have no rhythm whatsoever. For me that was the most intimidating thing. So, we both went into the scene feeling a little timid. Maybe the awkwardness worked for that scene. It was a first date.
It seems as if you were very free with each other.
We both felt immediately so comfortable with each other. I think part of it was that we are both so madly in love with our own spouses. You know I've had lots of friends who have had to play love scenes and maybe the guy is getting the wrong message during the scene and it puts a lot of stress and strain on things. Or maybe the woman in the scene with the man is getting the wrong message and things get sticky on the set, but when you're both so clearly in love with your mate, there's a freedom that you can have on the set because you're just not threatened in any way. I think it's just a lot more fun when that's the case. I know that I felt that way with Gabriel Byrne [Jones' co-star in The Moon for the Misbegotten on Broadway last season]. Every woman in the world is chasing after Gabriel. I witnessed it. But I was the woman in the world who wasn't, so that way we were freer together because it was our own understanding there. We could just have fun.
How do you choose your film roles?
I love things that have social worth `cause life is so short. I really do feel that we are put here to make it better for those who come after us. I believe in things that in the end leave people with hope and inspire people. So, that's sort of my criteria. I really abhor gratuitous violence. A lot of the entertainment around us is only helping feed America's own paranoia. I try to steer clear of that sort of professional involvement. I always tell my agents if a Quaker would do it, I'll do it.
Is it still true that you'll be playing Lady Macbeth at ART next season?
Well, we switched it. Right now, it's Lysistrata. I have to call Bob Brustein back, so it may not even be Lysistrata anymore, it may be something else. But I'll be up there in the late summer or early fall.
Do you think you'll be back on Broadway anytime soon?
I would love to be somewhere downtown soon. I'd love to sort of get away from the glare of old Broadway and head down into some dark little room off of-no, I don't mean that. But I do live downtown, for one thing.
You want an easier commute?
Yes! I want an easier commute. And I would love to do something next that is a little more-something that I can really-I don't know what I'm trying to say.
Is there a specific project that you're thinking about?
No, there's no project. I've just got to get busy and get a job. She laughs.
