I don't believe in perfection. I don't think there is such a thing. But the energy of wanting things to be great is a perfectionist energy.

I always let my husband read the script so he knows what's about to happen to his wife. When I played Cheryl Strayed in Wild, I'd get really mad about certain things, I'd say really profound things, and I'd curse out of nowhere. He'd say, "Are you you, or are you Cheryl?"

I have a history, a long history of being stereotyped as a five-foot-two woman, which is very limiting. I've worked so hard to create characters that have dignity. And I think everybody knows that I have a very pro-woman message in my work - and in my life.

To be courageous , you have to have an army of people holding you.

Do I need men? I don't think it's about needing men. It's about love.

Exploring female rage on film doesn't frighten me - it might frighten a lot of people in my business, but, gosh, I know a lot about that, from personal experience and friends' experiences.

But like Elle Woods, I do not like to be underestimated.