'Crazy/Beautiful' Avoids Usual Trappings of a Teen Movie
LAURIN SYDNEY, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: At the box office, "Cats & Dogs" are reigning. The family film about the secret war between America's pets earned $9 million on July 4, according to industry estimates. Coming in second on this holiday was "Scary Movie 2." The Wayans brothers comedy earned an estimated $8.6 million. "A.I." did a-OK, earning another $5.2 million for third place. Independence day business was boosted by poor weather in some parts of the country. Also drawing moviegoers at the moment is "Crazy/Beautiful." The movie starring Kirsten Dunst has attracted some positive reviews and more than $5 million business. Sherri Sylvester talked with the cast about this story of unlikely lovers.</s>SHERRI SYLVESTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Washington keeps a close eye on what Hollywood markets to teens, Disney's Touchstone Pictures offers a provocative look at teen life. "Crazy/Beautiful" follows the self-destructive path of an alcohol, drug-addicted and sexually active high-schooler played by Kirsten Dunst. (</s>BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL") KIRSTEN DUNST, ACTRESS: Didn't seem stupid at the time, then again I was wasted.</s>JOHN STOCKWELL, DIRECTOR: Obviously, when you are doing a teen- theme movie in this climate, you also have to be very conscious of ratings issue. And I did a movie -- I mean, this movie is about a girl who drinks and does drugs and is sexually aggressive and is really out of control at the beginning. And how do you show that and still get a PG-13 rating? It's tough.</s>SYLVESTER: The 19-year-old Dunst wanted to counter her on-screen image from films such as "Bring It On." She did at times rely on pop culture to take her to the dark side of her character, Nicole.</s>DUNST: I concentrated a lot on like listening to music and surround myself with like certain books and just things I think Nicole would be reading. And I would take this character home with me all the time. I mean, I was even treating my family differently when I was doing this role.</s>SYLVESTER: Still she is not seen actually taking drugs and does not have any nude scenes.</s>DUNST: Everything was done in a tasteful way, and I did not feel like, you know, I was objectified in any way.</s>STOCKWELL: Does drink in the beginning? Absolutely. Is she hung over the next day? Definitely. Does she do drugs? Sure. Does she pay a price for doing drugs? Absolutely.</s>SYLVESTER: Both believe this is a realistic look at some aspects of adolescence. To keep it real, the director cast students from John Marshall high school's drama class for at-risk kids in Los Angeles. Five Hispanic newcomers landed speaking roles, but the film's break- out star may be Jay Hernandez. (</s>BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL") JAY HERNANDEZ, ACTOR: Two hours each way just to be here! At 5:43 in the morning, that's what time my bus leaves! So, if I wanted to screw up, I'd do it at my home school, because I get a hell of a lot more sleep.</s>SYLVESTER: The 23-year-old was discovered riding an elevator in Hollywood a few years ago. He is cast as a good guy, as opposed to other scripts he's seen.</s>HERNANDEZ: There are never any positive Latin roles, they are all like bad, you know, like gang members or whatever. It was just like nothing was positive, but this was the one thing that I found, and I really liked.</s>SYLVESTER: "Crazy/Beautiful" avoids most of the usual teen trappings, but will the kids and their parents buy it?</s>BRUCE DAVISON, ACTOR: A lot of the film, aside from being whatever genre it may be, it's about life and it's about responsibility and taking responsibility for your own actions.</s>SYLVESTER: Sherri Sylvester, CNN, Los Angeles.