Even actresses that you really admire, like Reese Witherspoon, you think, 'Another romantic comedy?' You see her in something like 'Walk the Line' and think, 'God, you're so great!' And then you think, 'Why is she doing these stupid romantic comedies?' But of course, it's for money and status.

I have a very highly developed sense of denial.

I've borne these two kids into a particularly strange circumstance. They are going to have to fend off a lot and protect themselves from a lot of projections and prejudice about who they are, coming from the family that they come from.

I try as best I can to really put all I can into what I'm doing. A lot of days I fail and there's too much to do. I do think it's really important to have time to yourself, whether that's reading something interesting when the kids are in bed or even having a dog.

I have a sort of sisterly feeling toward him [Ben Affleck]. I want him to do well and grow up and be a happy person and a fully realized man.

I really worry about the state of the planet and I wish everyone would make a concerned effort not to trash it.

"Just to have my kids be in the sun every day-picking avocados, going for a swim," she says. "Even for two years or something, and come back when they go to senior school." Just what kids want to do, pick avocados. Also: senior school?