People Magazine - 1999?

Whether she's smart-talking as a dumb blonde in her 1995 Oscar winning performance in Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite or killing giant cockroaches as an scientist in Mimic, Mira Sorvino always knows she's one smart cookie. A magna cum laude Harvard graduate with a degree in East Asian languages and civilization, Sorvino, 31, actually spent eight months living in Beijing learning to speak fluent Mandarin. The daughter of veteran actor Paul Sorvino, she was introduced to show business at an early age, but initially opted for academics over acting. She was raised in Tenafly, N.J., and now lives in Manhattan.

In her latest role, Sorvino plays Amy, a harried New York architect who finds herself falling quickly -- and surprisingly -- in love with a blind man, played by Val Kilmer.

How did you decide on this movie?

Q & A with...Mira Sorvino With his sight newly restored, Virgil (Kilmer) and Amy (Sorvino) explore New York City Whether she's smart-talking as a dumb blonde in her 1995 Oscar winning performance in Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite or killing giant cockroaches as an scientist in Mimic, Mira Sorvino always knows she's one smart cookie. A magna cum laude Harvard graduate with a degree in East Asian languages and civilization, Sorvino, 31, actually spent eight months living in Beijing learning to speak fluent Mandarin. The daughter of veteran actor Paul Sorvino, she was introduced to show business at an early age, but initially opted for academics over acting. She was raised in Tenafly, N.J., and now lives in Manhattan. In her latest role, Sorvino plays Amy, a harried New York architect who finds herself falling quickly -- and surprisingly -- in love with a blind man, played by Val Kilmer. How did you decide on this movie? I read it and I was actually crying at the end, and became angry at the night. I met with [director] Irwin (Winkler) and felt that his vision to tell this fascinating medical story with the emphasis script for making me cry. I wasn't looking for a good cry that on human relations between mine and Val's character -- and on their flawed personalities rather than an ideal Hollywoodesque situation -- appealed to me. And it appealed to me to play a character that was accessible, modern and normal, for whom I could use more my own personality than I have in a lot of my recent portrayals.

Working with a supposed blind person, were there any challenges for you?

Well, Val made it very easy because it really seemed he was blind. His eyes would not give me a flicker of response. His eyes looked opaque. It must have been hard for him but great for me, because what it did was it created the sensation that I was talking to someone who couldn't see me. In those scenes, my physical behavior is different -- I'm acting like a person who is not being watched. All her defenses are down because she's not being observed or judged -- she's just feeling listened to. It made me very protective of him.

Did you meet with Barbara and Shirl Jennings, the actual couple the film is based on?

Yes, very interesting people. I was very impressed by their love for each other. They've seem to have grown to be two halves of the same person -- Shirl's the very sweet, innocent side. He gave me a neck rub and it was like he was talking to me through his hands. I'm not a New Age person, yet I felt a very palpable energy coming out through his hands, which surprised me. Barb is the backbone -- very strong and clear on what's best for them. I tried to keep her belief in him and her strength in the character, but also show the kind of vulnerable underbelly. We've transposed the characters from the South to a New York setting so I made her more like the people I know in New York who are so stressed from their work but still inside have all the needs they always had -- to be loved, to be cherished, to be heard and felt.

Was Barb an architect too?

She's an artist and still does painting and sculptures.

Did you ask her what it was like not to have her partner appreciate the main thing she does?

I think they made peace with their situation. He did have a time when he could see colors and things -- he even makes paintings with her help now.

Where is your Oscar now?

For two years it was in a closet. I was embarrassed and didn't want it out for everyone to see. It seemed kind of show-offy. Then I said, well this is a little ridiculous so I put it on my dresser in my bedroom next to my little ole teddy bear. It's not out in the living room on the piano saying Look At Me!

Would you want to work with your dad at some point?

Right now he's directing for Showtime a new adaptation of That Championship Season -- the play that he originally broke out in on Broadway. Dad is playing coach and directing Gary Sinise, Tony Shalhoub and Vince D'Onofrio. In fact, MGM is producing through Showtime. He's so happy because I think directing is something that's been in his blood for a long time. No part in it for me -- it's all men.

What's coming up for you?

The next movie coming out is the Spike Lee movie Summer of Sam, which I did right after At First Sight. I play an Italian American woman in The Bronx in 1977. It all takes place in this community. It's basically about these women best friends, two in the punk world, two in the disco world --the world of the serious competition hustle. Very Saturday Night Fever stuff.

Did you have doubles for this?

No, we did it all ourselves. That was the fun. You couldn't have paid me to have a double do it. We went everyday, after wrapping, for 6 weeks to go study with this disco teacher for three hours. I had blisters on the bottom of both feet and we'd go to these hustle practice nights. We were always the worst dancers on the floor. There is this community of 150 people in New York that keep the hustle alive. They inter-marry and have hustle parties once a week and these people are extraordinary dancers. It's a fun dance -- kind of like salsa but without the Latin music. The women can spin 20 revolutions looking like they're on ice skates -- I was working on getting four in a row. But I love it.

Did you keep any of your disco outfits?

Yes. I found these great Yves St. Laurent shoes in the East Village from the 70s and also this chain metal mesh halter top. It's got this snake pattern in silver and platinum colors. I always find some of my costumes -- it helps me feel like I'm buying for my character --I'm getting into her tastes. I always get to keep some stuff. In At First Sight, the jeans are my jeans.

When you were in Cannes (at the film festival), you talked about your re-adjustment to life as a single woman and getting over Quentin (Tarentino). Now I read you are dating a French actor? Ummm.

Are you going to move there and make a movie?

I do speak French. (long pause). I like spending time in France and always wanted to make a film in France. In fact, that's been one of dreams so you may see me in one someday but it has nothing to do with my love life.

Next movie?

I'm deciding right now but haven't made a decision yet. I have Lulu On The Bridge with Harvey Keitel coming out this summer.