There wasn't very much time between wrapping Revolutionary Road and starting The Reader. It was about five and a half months, which, for me, isn't that long. Some actors are very good at just going from one thing to another but I've always been a bit useless at that. The preparation time is important for me.

I danced a lot when I was younger, and I've always had decent, shapely legs and thought it's now or never. I mean, when you're pushing 40, are you really going to wander around in a dress that's midthigh length?

I'm a bit famous now! It's a bit strange!

I feel like I'm playing more of a role walking down the red carpet than when I'm playing an ordinary woman covered in sweat.

I don't know how much I can be bothered to have to lose the baby weight. It's such a pain... I'm not one of those people for whom it magically drops off.

I was a wayward child, very passionate and very determined. If I made up my mind to do something, there was no stopping me.

As a child, I never heard one woman say to me, "I love my body". Not my mother, my elder sister, my best friend. No one woman has ever said, "I am so proud of my body." So I make sure to say it to Mia , because a positive physical outlook has to start at an early age.