Source: The Hartford Courant
Posted: August 7, 1997
They may not be the next Hepburn-Tracy, but there's an intriguing bit of yin and yang, salt and pepper, he-said/she-said playfulness when Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts sit down to promote their first film together, "Conspiracy Theory," which opened Friday.
"We first met in ShoWest in Las Vegas several years ago," says Roberts, referring to an annual convention of movie theater owners. "And we were seated next to each other on the dais, and Mel got me in trouble because . . . er . . . .""I cut the eyes out of Clint Eastwood's face," says Gibson, "because he was `ShoWest Director of the Year' or something, and I took his eyes out of his picture, and Julia put it on like a mask."
"We were very rowdy up there together," she says.
"ShoWest is making a monkey of yourself for the (theater) exhibitors," says Gibson.
Roberts' eyes widen, as if Gibson was the school bad boy and had just told off the principal.
The outrageous Mel/good Julia match serves them well in their new film, which has Gibson as a conspiracy-obsessed taxi driver and Roberts as a sensible Justice Department attorney.
And how would they describe the relationship between two of Hollywood's biggest stars?
"I feel like he's my pal," says Roberts, "because he's not only fun and fun to be around but really bright. You are. You just hide it. Well."
"I think it's necessary when you're working on a romantic picture that you have to fall in love a little bit (with your co-stars)," says Gibson. "And you have to latch onto something, some admirable qualities they have. With Julia, it wasn't hard. In her case, she has excellent dental hygiene."
Roberts grins, showing off one of the best smiles in the business. Gibson must be right.
And what of Roberts' back-on-top career with "My Best Friend's Wedding"?
"I think it's a snappy, contrived headline: `Julia's back.' It doesn't really mean anything," she says.
"It's like, `Now with tartar control,' " Gibson adds.
Roberts roars with a loud laugh.
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"She hasn't gone away or suddenly gotten better," says Gibson. "When I heard that, I laughed, because she's not even 30 and - what? - she's making a comeback?"
"But this is the second time, baby," says Roberts. "I made a comeback at 25, too."
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