Johanssen on point

At only 20 years old, Scarlett Johansson is already a veteran of the film industry. Her upcoming film, "Match Point," marks the beginning of a working relationship with Woody Allen, but also a return to the art films that established her career. Between promoting "Match Point" and filming Allen's next film, "Scoop," Johansson took a few minutes to talk with WEEKEND. "Match Point" was kind of a departure from "The Island," I think some of your fans were scared you were going to go action on us. Was it a conscious decision to go back to art films?
Actually, I made "Match Point" before I did "The Island," then I went and did a Brian De Palma movie and then another Woody Allen film, and then I'm doing "The Nanny Diaries," which is a bigger, more commercial film. I don't know, I don't know necessarily that that's something I think about. I think about if it's something I'm going to enjoy doing, I think about if this is something I'd pay $10 to see. With "The Island," it's incredibly hard work, but the script was so fantastic. I love genre movies when they're made well, "Jurassic Park" is one of my favorite movies. It depends more on the project itself.
On "Match Point," you're the sole American among a British cast. There is discussion of international tension in this film -- was that something that came up on set?
I have family from all over the world. My dad is Danish, my stepfather is French, my aunt and her family live in London. I've worked with actors from all over the world, and it's nice to meet people who have lived different lives from you. I grew up in Manhattan, and that in itself is a rarity, and it's nice to work with people who have worked on different productions. It's what makes my job so interesting.
You mentioned that you did another Woody Allen movie called "Scoop." How is your relationship with him?
Woody and I have a very playful relationship, we have a lot in common. We're both from New York, we both have a dry sense of humor and we became really friendly. I basically said, I'd love to act with you, and he wrote this comedy for us, and I adore him. He's constantly busting my chops. We have a nice relationship.
You've worked now on two Woody Allen movies, were you a fan before?
I've been watching Woody's films since I was 10 years old and one of my favorites is "Husbands and Wives." It's a very sad film, and very ironically funny. His insight into human neurosis and emotion, it's what makes Woody such an incredible writer. I think that film particularly for me is a favorite. The actors are so fantastic. I always imagine that if I were to make a Woody Allen film, it would be similar.
Did you ever think about attending college?
In some ways, I did plan on going to school, I was going to go to SUNY-Purchase to film school. I've been making movies for 13 years, and I think like any other 20-year-old, I have to figure out where my place is. I have all of my life before me, and like any other 20-year-old, that's exciting and intimidating at the same time. I'm not detached from my age group. I think it depends on the person, I look at my twin brother, he's incredibly self-assured. He's an environmentalist, and whether he joins the Peace Corps or lives in a kibbutz, he's very sure about what he's passionate about. I have other friends that have been in school for four years, and they're like "What the hell am I going to do?" There's so much pressure in America on young people to know exactly what we're supposed to do. Because our education system doesn't hone in on our passions or interests, you're left out in the cold. And in America, the job opportunities are declining rapidly, particularly under this government. If this country spent more time fine-tuning our education system …
You're 20. Do you have any big plans for your 21st birthday?
I do! I'm going to have a little birthday party, I can finally have a drink...legally. It's also my twin brother's birthday, so we're going to have a bunch of friends over and have a little get-together. We're pretty low-key. I don't think you'll be reading about it in the tabloids.