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About "A Civil
Action"
Charmed and cherished: Betty finally meets John
Travolta...and lives to tell about it.
Vital statistics: Born in Englewood, New Jersey on February 18, 1954 this high school
dropout was responsible for the disco generation and bringing back cowboy cool. Gorgeous.
Generous. And unfortunately, very married to actress Kelly Preston. First off, let it be
known that BeatBoxBetty has idolized this man since the pre-disco days of Welcome Back
Kotter and Boy in the Plastic Bubble. And normally, I can chat up a celebrity as easy as I
can down a martini. That’s normally. But then again, this is John Travolta.
All tongue-tied and beyond goofy, I recently got the chance to speak with the riveting
star of A Civil Action on his upcoming film, life at home and how he saved my life.
Let‘s just say this dimpled darling is the only reason I survived puberty! So, how did
Betty hold up? I’ll never wash my cheek again!
BBB: In the legal thriller, A Civil Action, you play real
life attorney Jan Schlichtmann, who starts out being an arrogant son-of-a-gun who
basically chases ambulances for a living. Eventually he redeems himself, but did you think
it would be difficult playing him?
JOHN: This script is such a challenge. For most of the movie
I had to ignore every instinct in my body. Every compassion, every feeling of empathy. I
had to be cold, distant and arrogant and yet be aware of it so you can watch it.
BBB: Yeah, but you made this slimy attorney actually likable.
JOHN: Well, he evolves into that. But the only thing that
makes him watchable, at least in the beginning, is that he’s not aware of his arrogance.
BBB: This story of Jan is much like your own career. You went
through some high times, then some hard times with hardly any roles, now you’re on top
again.
JOHN: The real Jan thrived on that. He thrived on his lows
and his highs. I learn from my highs and lows. In a career sense, I learned to say yes
more often. Because I used to say no a lot. I turned down An Officer and a Gentleman,
Splash, Midnight Express, As Good As It Gets and Good Will Hunting. I turned down some
good movies, but I took the time off to experience life, which was not a mistake. It was
good to do. What I’m saying is that this time, I’ve done my rubbing elbows with all
sorts of people and experiencing life. Now I can say yes and get down to work, which is
fine too.
BBB: With such a crazy schedule of working on movie after
movie, how do you manage to find any normalcy in your life?
JOHN: Well, yesterday I did this [a grueling press junket for
the film] but for TV all day. Then I went home at six and I stayed up until 11:30 and put
Jett to bed. Kelly and I were with him the whole time...we spent the whole evening with
him. He fell asleep with of us on either side of him. And what does that make it? 5 1/2
hours? God, I grew up with less than that. Didn’t you?
BBB: True. Listen John, I have just have to take a moment
here and thank you for saving my life when I was in Junior High.
JOHN: Get out! What?
BBB: Well, I lived in a rough neighborhood growing up and I
used to get beat up in the bathroom. The only thing that would save me would be if I did
an impression of you. They’d say, "Hey don’t beat her up, she can do that John
Travolta!"
JOHN: Well, do a little!
BBB: (Put on the spot, I do my best Danny Zucko from
Grease…) Sandy! (John laughs and holds his mouth in amazement)
JOHN: That’s so great! Oh my God – you totally look like
me when you do it! It’s a amazing what the power of a performance can do in small ways
to people’s lives. Like when I met Anne Anderson…[a woman who lost her son to water
poisoning and is played by Kathleen Quinlan in the film] the first thing she said was,
"My son before he died, he loved Kotter and he loved Barbarino. That was what he
lived for. He looked forward to seeing you every week." I thought, "How did I
know?" And who knew that twenty years ago I was somehow saving your life?!
BBB: Well, you can save my life anytime John!