I gracefully declined and said, Thank you so much.
I love the way he writes.
I think he writes really, really beautiful characters.
We went through pretty much every single scene.
Did you do any research to understand what its like for someone to live with alopecia?
AKERMAN: Yeah, I did.
I went online and researched it and watched YouTube videos of girls with it.
He had a lot to say about his friend, who he spends a lot of time with.
To not have that, and also be so different from everyone else, what would that be like?
How would that shape you, as a character?
What would that do to your personality?
She has such an amazing spirit and she just faces it front on.
She just goes full force into it and says, Yeah, Im bald!
Look at me, Im pretty hot because of it.
I love that about her.
I think shes so awesome.
But, its a bit of an emotional roller coaster for her.
Did you shave your eyebrows and your hair at all?
AKERMAN: I did.
I said, Lets just shave them off, so we did.
What was it like the first time you saw yourself like that?
AKERMAN: It was really cool to see myself.
Its amazing what it does.
It really shaves off the years.
My husband kept looking at me and going, Wow, baby, you look like an angel.
Theres something really innocent and beautiful about her, in such a different way than Hollywood glam.
Its an inner beauty that outshines everything.
You dont have to get through the layers of make-up, hair and clothes.
She wears her personality.
Its just out there, for grabs.
The first thing you meet is her personality.
It was really cool.
I miss her a lot.
How was Josh Radnor, as a first-time director?
Did he seem to take to it very easily?
He is a brilliant director.
I think were going to see a lot coming from that man.
I think hes brilliant.
Hes a very good director.
Whats it been like, waiting for this to come out since it premiered at Sundance in 2010?
Are you excited that wider audiences will finally get to see it?
AKERMAN: Im so excited!
I think its just a really sweet film.
I really think that people are going to enjoy it.
If its anything like the response we got at Sundance, it will be really nice.
Hopefully, theyll like it.
HappyThankYouMorePleaseandThe Giant Mechanical Manare both very unusual, unique romances.
AKERMAN: Lately, yeah.
Its been a lot of fun.
That was really different.
Was it challenging to get people to see you in those different lights?
AKERMAN: Yes and no.
Some people just really saw it and believed in it.
The excitement about independent filmmaking is that theyre a little more open to taking chances.
What was the appeal of doingInfernoand playing Linda Lovelace?
Wont you have to get yourself in a dark place for that?
AKERMAN: A very dark place, yeah.
At this point, its my Mt.
Its like, Wow, that seems like a long way up, but I want to try it.
I want to try everything.
The script is so great.
Its a really well written script.
I was so excited because its really intricate.
Its a really interesting journey.
Yeah, its definitely scary, but Im excited to be nervous and scared.
Its a big challenge.
Id like to pull it off.
I hope it works out great.
Im going to do my best, and well see what happens.
What do you think will most surprise people about Linda Lovelace, and what most surprised you about her?
AKERMAN: Just the tortures that she went through with her husband.
What a pain threshold that woman had.
Her want to survive was incredible.
People are so strong.
A lot of those scenes are not going to be in the film because theyre just too crazy.
No one would want to watch it.
I highly recommend reading the book because it will blow your mind.
Is that the next film youre going to do?
When do you go into production?
AKERMAN: As of right now, its in April, but it could always shift.
Are you hoping to switch things up and do a comedy after that?
AKERMAN: That would be nice, yeah.
But, that would be the ultimate.
Do you have anything else lined up yet?
AKERMAN: Yeah, there are a few other things that I cant talk about yet.
You haveWanderlustcoming out in November.
What was it like to work with Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd?
AKERMAN: It was awesome.
Its an amazing ensemble cast.
There are so many great comedians in there.
There are a lot of people from the TV showThe State.
Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are really amazing, lovely people and really great comedic actors.
It was a great cast and we had a blast.
That was a really light, fun role.
AKERMAN: I think recharging is important, absolutely.
But, it just gets more and more exciting.
You have more choices.
I dont think Ill ever lose the passion for it.
You get that adrenalin rush.
I feel really lucky that I love my job.
