We, in America, love a story - we need a story to get involved in. But then everything becomes more about how the story protects a certain perception as we pick sides.

Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8.

I think happiness is overrated. Satisfied, at peace-those would be more realistic goals.

I had the luxury of working on the script with Andrew [Dominik] for a good year before the film started, so I was already intimate with the story [of The Assassination of Jesse James] and felt quite prepared walking into it.

New Orleans has a real spirit. It's the most authentic of all American cities.

We in America have some grand ideals - and some very strong ideals - but a lot of times, those ideals are used for marketing.

America is not a country, it’s a business.