Sarah Jessica Parker says romantic comedies are her favorite movies, so it's only natural that she is also drawn to them when she's reading scripts.
And after stealing the show as Steve Martin's hyperactive, free-spirited girlfriend in "L.A. Story" and co-starring with Nicolas Cage as his fiance-turned-wager in "Honeymoon in Vegas," Parker has the lead in "Miami Rhapsody.""It's very unusual to get a leading woman's role," Parker said in a telephone interview from her New York home. "But to have it be a romantic comedy that is so well written - it's just great. This is a big step for me. She's the central character, the driving force."
"Miami Rhapsody" will have its world premiere as part of the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 20, at the Academy Theater in Provo (with subsequent showings in Park City and at the Tower Theater in Salt Lake City). And Parker, along with writer/director David Frankel and other cast members, will introduce the screenings.
Developed by Hollywood Pictures, a production arm of the Walt Disney Company, the film is a comic look at '90s relationships, filled with witty one-liners and a first-rate cast (Mia Farrow, Antonio Banderas, Kevin Pollak, Paul Mazursky).
Parker plays a young woman who is about to get married when she discovers to her dismay that everyone in her family seems to be cheating on their spouses. (The film carries a PG-13 rating and may be a bit racy for the conservative Utah County crowd, though festival officials seem unconcerned.)
Contrary to published complaints by other performers, most notably Robin Williams, Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, Parker said her experience with the Disney Studio has been quite positive. "I've really been employed by Disney for several films now ("Hocus Pocus," "Ed Wood" and "Miami Rhapsody"), and I must say they've been great. I've had nothing but wonderful experiences there.
"This film came along when (former head of Disney film production Jeffrey Katzenberg) called me while I was doing `Ed Wood' and said, `I have this script and I'd love for you to do it.' And when I read it, I was thrilled.
"It's a romantic comedy about a woman, which already makes it unique. And it's witty, sophisticated and smart - a pretty fast-paced movie. It's not long and labored."
"Miami Rhapsody" is also a good film to premiere at the Sundance festival, Parker said, since it is by a first-time filmmaker (David Frankel) and was made for a relatively low budget and no studio interference. "This film was very autonomous - and that was the idea. Mr. Katzenberg was familiar with David's work on television, and he said, `I'd like to make movies with you,' and David said, `That's great - but I want to make inexpensive films and have the liberation that comes along with that.' Mr. Katzenberg said, `We'd love that.' And believe it or not, that's what happened.
"This is a small-budget film. Your average in Hollywood today is something like $27 million and this was $6 million, and it looks rich and colorful. And there weren't any studio executives there (on location in Miami). They were calling - but it was great that they were letting us do the job they wanted us to do."
Frankel as a director made sure the environment for the actors was relaxed, Parker said, "Which is surprising for a first-time director. He has terrific confidence, which makes all of us feel comfortable. And he also really believes in having a fun environment for actors to work in. He's young and excited by filmmaking."
And working with Mia Farrow was very educational, Parker said. "She was wonderful, very different than the image that had been portrayed (in the media during her personal battles with Woody Allen). She's not at all retiring. She's full of life, dynamic and wonderfully funny and bright. And a great storyteller. She had so much fun on this movie, and we loved having her. I was really thrilled to work with her."
Though her film work has been primarily comedic, Parker says she sees each film and character as quite different. Besides, she gets to do drama on the stage. "I've done mostly comedies in films, and romantic comedies are what I like to watch most. But I've done straight drama on the stage in New York - and that's just because it's what I've responded to while reading scripts.
"I see a nice variety in things like `L.A. Story' and `Honeymoon in Vegas,' but I make a conscious effort not to repeat myself. And I'm pretty lucky in that I've done a variety of things, so people are not too set about what I can or can't do."