Julia Roberts has stated that Hollywood is still dominated by men, nearly four decades into her career. The 57-year-old actress said she can relate to her character Alma Imhoff in the new film 'After the Hunt', who describes having to succeed in a 'deeply misogynist' world to become a Yale professor.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Roberts said: 'Well, it's still super-male! Make no mistake. But yes. Any woman in any job not populated in the majority by women can say Alma's speech. We've all had that experience.' She added that she often finds herself as one of only two women at a table.
The 'Pretty Woman' star explained she has had to be fearless to make herself heard in such environments. 'In those sort of environments, I am without fear,' she said.
Roberts also discussed her decision to take the role in Luca Guadagnino's film, despite being unsure whether she liked her character. She said that as a parent, she learned to only take jobs she was fully committed to, but the ambiguity of Alma made it intriguing: 'I just couldn't decide if I liked Alma or hated her. Or even understood her. And that is a reason to leave the comfort of my own home for work.'
The Oscar-winner, who has twins Hazel and Phinneaus, 20, and son Danny, 18, with husband Daniel Moder, also reflected on generational divides. Recalling a school meeting where parents complained about their teenagers, she said one mother stood out by declaring, 'I f****** love teenagers! They are the raddest creatures on the planet.' Roberts noted this reminded her how much we miss when we think we know better.
