Julia Roberts Interview, Valentines Day

“Pretty Woman” Julia Roberts sits down with us and counts the days to Valentine’s Day – both the holiday and her new movie of the same name.

Directed by Garry Marshall, “Valentine’s Day” stars an ensemble cast that also includes Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, and Taylor Swift.

Julia Roberts won a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Erin Brockovich." Over the course of her career, she has appeared in some of Hollywood's most successful films, while working with the industry's most esteemed directors. Her films have grossed more than $2.5 billion worldwide. She next stars in "Eat, Pray, Love," based on Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir and directed by Ryan Murphy, which is due out in Summer 2010.

Julia talked to us about what it was like re-teaming with her “Pretty Woman” director Garry Marshall and co-star Hector Elizondo for “Valentine’s Day,” her V-Day plans for a 24/7 make-out session, and romantic tips on how to make the most of the holiday.

Q: This film is a love letter to Los Angeles. What do you love most about LA?

Julia Roberts: I love the weather.

Q: What was your worst Valentine’s Day experience?

Julia Roberts: You’re not going to get a lot of takers on that one.

Q: How do you find time for romance and how will you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?

Julia Roberts: My kids go to bed at 7:30. For Valentine’s Day, we’re just gonna be makin’ out. The full 24 hours.

Q: What’s the key to a successful relationship, especially in L.A. ?

Julia Roberts: I think it’s the same in any city. L.A. isn’t distinctive in its uniqueness to what makes a relationship work. Two people who work at it in any town you go to. That’s what works.

Q: It seems like love and the pursuit of it is what everyone wants. It’s like a drug. People want to be happy and that’s really the only thing that makes us happy. Do you think that’s the case?

Julia Roberts: It is a drug though isn’t it? Love and that feeling and what it does to make us all tingling inside and crazy right? It’s a drug.

Q: How did it feel to be reunited after all these years with your “Pretty Woman” director Garry Marshall and co-star Hector Elizondo?

Julia Roberts: Well we have a lot of “Pretty Woman” people. That sounds funny. That sounds grammatically incorrect. Our D.P. Chuck Minsky shot “Pretty Woman” and our prop department. We laughed about a lot of things—particularly how old we’ve all gotten in 20 years. 20 years older in fact in 20 years. Every 10 years we do this. We did “Pretty Woman” and then 10 years later we did “Runaway Bride” and then 10 years later “Valentine’s Day.” So I will see all of you back here when I’m 51.

Q: Shirley MacLaine said earlier you’re the only one who can understand what Garry Marshall is talking about and that his direction needs a little translation. Can you give an example of how you’d translate?

Julia Roberts: If Garry were to say to you as an actor, “Do the thing with the thing and then go over there and be funny. Action!” That would mean “Sit up straight, smile, look to your co-star, say your lines and be very funny. Action.”

Q: Any advice on how I can make my boyfriend happy on Valentine’s Day?

Julia Roberts: Wow, wow. This is, yeah. Can we at least dim the lights? Okay, wait a minute. Are you asking me how to cook something? You opened Pandora’s Box, Pandora. You know what? Make a nice dinner reservation now because that’s the biggest night out of the year, says the former hostess at Simon’s Seafood Bar and Grill. Make a nice dinner reservation and have a nice glass of wine and then go home and, you know, take your top off. I think that’s a recipe for success, wouldn’t you say?

“Valentine’s Day” opens in theaters on February 12^th.