Reel Truth with Krista Richmond – “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (NSFW)
It has always fascinated me that people find it to be so clichéd when Hollywood stars fall in love while working on a production.
To me, it makes absolutely perfect sense. After all, we spend a huge amount of our day with our coworkers. I’m not an expert, but I would venture a guess that a substantial amount of relationships begin in the workplace. In fact, earlier in my career, I worked at an office with no fewer than four couples. And those are the couples I can name off the top of my head. Even I have spent some extracurricular time with guys I’ve worked with (which probably sounds way more exciting than it actually was …).
So why should actors and actresses be any different?
I don’t think they are.
I happen to think work is an excellent place to meet the person of your dreams – provided, of course, that you follow all appropriate
human resources fraternization policies. I know my parents would be thrilled with me dating someone I work with for a few reasons. First, having a job indicates some sense of stability and responsibility. In other words, it shows that this guy knows how to act like a grown-up. Second, it indicates a level of education and intelligence – characteristics that are important to me. Third, and perhaps most significant to me, it indicates common interests. I am a writer; that is an enormous part of what makes me, me. Being with a guy who doesn’t understand that is simply not an option for me. Now, I’m not saying that I could only be with another writer; that’s not the case. In fact, I think that would be a little too close to home. But I would like to be with someone in a field that’s related enough so that he understands when I say, “I know we were supposed to go see that movie, but I’m on a role and don’t want to interrupt my flow,” or “My deadline is at the end of the week, so you might not see me much until then.”
And I think that’s what draws Hollywood people to other Hollywood people. They get it. They know what each other are going through and what the Hollywood life is like. And that understanding – in any work situation – can create some very powerful bonds. The only people who know what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie go through are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I hope that same bond keeps my favorite Twilight couple together.
Maybe it’s the idea of pretend lovers becoming actual lovers that is so clichéd. But you can’t convince me that there was anything cliché about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. So until then, I’ll be waiting for a Richard Burton of my own.
