Erika Christensen in "Traffic"
When it comes to selecting a best film for 2000, film critics are as fractious as the American electorate in picking a new President. One film that tops many lists is Steven Soderbergh's "Traffic." Conceived as an ensemble piece with interlacing stories,"Traffic" casts a cold eye not just on drugs, but on the drug war as well.
Central to this powerful screen tragedy is a character portrayed by a relative newcomer to film, Erika Christensen. Christensen essays a breakthrough role as the daughter of a conservative judge newly appointed as America's top drug czar. Ironically, the judge, played by Michael Douglas, is oblivious to his child's spiraling addiction.
The teen actress has a resume that includes television programs like "Frasier," "3rd Rock From The Sun," and "The Practice," but nothing prepared her for this harrowing assignment. In fact, Christensen needed her parents to sign off on the role.
"First of all, I was extremely excited about how challenging this was," she says. "There was no question that I wanted to do it. But they were nervous about the R-rated content. I thought there would be no question they would end up agreeing with me, but they were quite nervous until they met Steven Soderbergh, who told them how comfortable he would make me. I had a meeting with Steven, the producers and my parents. I said I think any nudity is distracting and inappropriate. Fortunately, Steven agreed with me. That put my parents at ease and the next day, the offer came in."
Asked how her folks responded when they finally attended a screening of "Traffic," Christensen draws a long, whistling breath. "Amazingly well," she finally beams. "They probably had a stronger emotional reaction than most audience members, but they still enjoyed the film. "My parents never treated me as a child anyway," she adds. "They allowed me to make my own decisions and gave me the freedom to develop. When I said I wanted to spend my whole life acting, they said OK. And here I am!"
Christensen attributes this uncanny poise to her involvement in the Church of Scientology. "It has made me so confident. I just have a different point of view that I got from Scientology. I figure that whatever I don't know, I can learn. And I don't really care that my opinions on something might be wrong. Based on what I do know, I can make an opinion. Later, I can change. That gives me the stability to be who I am."
"Also, this is completely personal and I can't speak for other Scientologists," she continues cautiously. "But I think the idea that you will be re-incarnated takes the pressure off. I believe that you can lead a worthwhile life and make a difference, but you will live again."
Christensen etches such a convincing portrait of addiction that her radiant health and balance comes almost as a surprise. She credits it up to research, having visited a rehab center to adopt the attributes of a teen druggie.
"I picked the brains of the staff about what happens physically, chemically and scientifically to you. I spoke to some of the addicts to get the emotional part. It makes total sense because anything you do is morally justified as long as you get that fix! Then, to get that look in my eyes, I went to an optometrist and got contacts!"
"Traffic" may have attracted Oscar buzz, and it has certainly boosted her career, but these things are secondary, she insists. To her, this cautionary tale has anurgent moral dimension, one that avoids strident preaching.
"I hope people that are involved in the drug world go see this film," she states. "On a nationwide level, this is going to make a lot of people think."
"Traffic" sports a vast and impressive cast of players including Benjamin Bratt, Albert Finney, Don Cheadle, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Quaid and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Christensen was surprisingly unfazed about this gathering of esteemed actors, particularly the one who played her pop.
"It didn't hit me until later," she recalls. "I mean Michael Douglas is Michael Douglas! He's won Oscars, he's produced movies and he's done incredible work. He should be intimidating to me, but I just went for it. Afterward, it occurred to me that I should've been intimidated!"
A trained acting professional since age 12, Christensen was also featured in "Thanks," a failed sitcom about pilgrims. She returns to fare far fluffier than "Traffic" with a recurring part on "The Geena Davis Show."
"It's cool," she beams. "I'm working with a live audience. And I'm in the frame of mind of being funny. That's different after the last six months!"
