Angelina Jolie, a prominent actress, is currently facing numerous issues with her latest movie, “Mr And Mrs Smith.” The film has encountered obstacles such as setbacks, disagreements, and negative press coverage. Moreover, her private life continues to be a topic of great interest for tabloids. Despite her desire to leave the entertainment industry behind, Angelina has not made any concrete plans. Nevertheless, she remains determined despite these challenges. As she approaches her 30th birthday, Angelina speaks candidly with GQ about her tenacious spirit.
Traveling from the posh Hotel Bel-Air to the City of Industry requires a 35-mile journey that can be quite tedious due to the heavy traffic. The drive involves navigating through various freeways, overpasses, and off-ramps, taking Angelina from the plush Stone Canyon Road, where she once shared a seat with Warren Christopher, to the vast suburban region of the San Gabriel Valley. During this ride, she likes to relax in her SUV, savoring a Coffee Bean Mocha Freezer, while casually changing lanes without any specific destination in mind.
The City of Industry used to be farmland, but now it’s a bustling area filled with strip malls, factory outlets, and trading estates. One interesting sight is a fully operational McDonald’s that has never served a Happy Meal. This is a common occurrence in Los Angeles County, where some locations are only used as movie sets. Angelina Jolie is another person who is present in California solely for film projects. She spends her time between Buckinghamshire, New York, and Cambodia, and stays at the luxurious Bel-Air hotel while commuting daily to the City of Industry. Her destination is a hangar where director Doug Liman is finishing up the final scenes of the highly anticipated action-comedy film “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” from 20th Century Fox.
The production of a movie, which initially started as a small romantic comedy, has finally come to an end. Despite experiencing various setbacks, disagreements, and uncertainty, the movie has transformed into an action-packed summer blockbuster, as quoted by Angelina. The principal photography began in early 2004; however, it took more than a year to complete due to various obstacles. Unlike Alfred Hitchcock’s 1941 film with the same title, which primarily focused on an invalid marriage caused by a clerical error, this new film explores an unconventional concept. It revolves around a married couple, John and Jane Smith (portrayed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie), who are both undercover assassins assigned to eliminate each other but are bored with their mundane lives.
When the project for “Mr and Mrs Smith” was first conceived, it was meant to have a vibe similar to movies such as “Prizzi’s Honor” or “The War of the Roses.” However, during the production phase, the direction of the film shifted. Now, people are drawing comparisons between “Mr and Mrs Smith” and “True Lies,” an action-packed movie about a spy and his wife who fight against a group of terrorists. With the inclusion of intense shoot-outs and explosions, “Mr and Mrs Smith” has evolved into a combination of dark humor, action, and blockbuster elements. Angelina Jolie mentions that defining the relationship dynamics in the movie was challenging, which led to ongoing discussions about the tone of the film. Ultimately, they decided to move away from the initial comedic vision and lean towards a more dangerous and intense approach.
Thankfully, the director of the movie, Doug Liman, has a reputation for skillfully mixing humor and action in his past movies such as “Swingers” and “The Bourne Identity.” Liman appears to be at ease and confidently in charge on set. An exact replica of a supermarket has been constructed in the hangar, complete with vividly colored items neatly stacked on shelves. Suspended above the products are eight Navy SEALs armed with firearms, poised for any conflict. The crew members wear earpieces and utility belts as they diligently attend to their various technical duties, resulting in a controlled, yet frenzied ambiance.
