A lot of times in movies, you see the "small town" people, being bowled over by this creative entity or this corporate ideal, and it's not true, at all.

I think it's a big chance to take to make a movie that's about as something as pure and honest and something people can relate to everyday.

If you did go to high school and then college, there's definitely a solidarity with someone that is from your hometown and knows your mom, and all that stuff. There's this weird politeness that we have, as a society. You don't want to make it hard for anybody.

I fell in love with the book [ Brief Interviews with Hideous Men] and always wanted to do something with and fought to get the rights, which was pretty fun and an incredible experience in itself.

To be that big of a star and that grounded and that classy, I'm mean [ George Clooney] was a true mentor for me and, as a director, he's incredible.

I usually save these answers [on the institution of marriage] for my Barbara Walters Special, but she didn't call so I've never been engaged, despite popular belief.

I grew up with the Boston vibe and the Catholic vibe. I don't want to put anybody out.