OnlyOnAOL: Katie Holmes has the same addiction as all of us
BY DONNA FREYDKIN
In "Touched with Fire," Holmes plays a manic-depressive poet who becomes involved with another writer suffering from the same condition, against the wishes of their families. Yes, it's a tough topic, one that doesn't lend itself to catchy punchlines or cute quotes. But, says Holmes, "This is just a very special movie. I'm really happy that people are seeing it and responding to it."
The reviews have been positive. And much of the film centers around Holmes' raw performance. It extends to the physical as well. Vanity had no place there.
"I was doing the no-makeup makeup. I really have no feeling about it. I was concerned with being true to this character. Makeup is so wrong for this person," she says. "I have my group of – my hair and makeup people who are my good friends. I knew they had my back. I didn't even have to think about it. I work really hard. But I do have that good team around me that I trust."
She also produced it, something that makes the film even more meaningful. For Homes, who broke out as fresh-faced Joey on "Dawson's Creek," being active behind the scenes is crucial. "I love working. I'm reading books to option. I'm having a good time. There have been so many women in our business that have made such an impact. When other people are doing well, it pushes you. I'm really happy," she says.
Holmes and daughter Suri, from her marriage to Tom Cruise, split their time between both coasts. The child, 9, enjoys more privacy in Los Angeles, but mom and daughter love heading back east. That said, being away from the paparazzi here, says Holmes, "has definitely given us a break and some space, which has been a relief. But it's great to come back to New York. It's also our home."
In person, Holmes is thoughtful and introspective, with a restrained sense of humor. But, she admits, she's got the same obsessions that plague all of us social media fiends. She just Instagrammed a few photos. "I'm going to check the number of like while I'm doing this interview because it makes me happy. I'm not immune," she laughs.
Next up for Homes is the TV miniseries, "The Kennedys After Camelot." She plays Jackie Kennedy in her later years, after Bobby Kennedy's death. "I'm going to direct one of the episodes. It's a cool time period, the '70s and '80s. She did also marry Onassis. It'll be exciting visually. This isn't the pillbox hat time," she says.
So given that she plays a poet, who's her go-to scribe? "Rainer Maria Rilke. I love 'Letter to a Young Poet.' I read that on every job that I'm on. It's beautiful writing."
