Erika Christensen and Evan Rachel Wood: Girl Talk

17-year-old Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen) and Erika Christensen, 22 (Traffic and Swimfan) are two young actresses who have both been described as possessing "talent and poise" beyond their years. We found that to be true of course but we also got a good sense of laid-back fun from these two young women when we had an exclusive chat with them recently about playing sisters in the comedic drama The Upside of Anger in which they co-star with Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Keri Russell and Alicia Witt.

Evan, in t-shirt with "Bowie" on it, jeans and belt with red plastic bracelet/watch, looked every inch the relaxed teen. Her well-applied make-up accented a beautiful porcelain complexion. The usually blonde Erika, was stylish as a hot brunette, in big hoop earrings and a beaded V neck beige top with pink flowers. She complained to us that the beads were falling off.

In a suite at Beverly Hills' 4 Seasons' hotel, the girls got comfy all curled up on a couch to dish with us about playing sisters. We learned that the two met in acting school and have known each other for years. They actually seem like sisters. Evan even gets to kiss Erika's little brother Dane in this film. Join our girlchat about guys, movies and extreme sports!

TeenHollywood: Did you give Evan any advice on working with your brother?

Evan: She was there cheering us on.

Erika: I was like 'yes' when I came to the set on their kissing scene day. I was watching the monitor going 'wooo hooo'. I was so happy.

TeenHollywood: You narrate the film, Evan. Did you ad lib any of that?

Evan: I did the first time I did it then I had to do it twenty more times. I just had to go with it. We could never get the sound right. I did it (recorded it) in closets and over the phone and on other movie sets.

TeenHollywood: Erika, your character Andy in "Upside" is dating a much older guy and Evan, yours can't even get the guy she likes to kiss her. Do you think, as sisters, you would have talked about that together?

Evan: I think they'd just leave that alone.

Erika: Yeah. I think I probably, in my case, everybody (in the family) knew better than to say anything to me. It's like 'you shut your mouth. This is my life'. I think probably Andy would be gung ho about you guys (Evan and her movie boyfriend). Go for it!

Evan: Go! Tell him you're from a broken home.

Erika: He's cute. Go talk to him!

TeenHollywood: What makes you guys angry and have you ever found out you were totally wrong to be so angry?

Erika: I think I've been extremely right every time I've been angry (we all laugh). No, but I don't get angry very often. What pisses me off are viewpoints that aren't gung ho.

Evan: Yeah. I don't like people who are just phony and like your best friend and then you turn your back and they stab you. That makes me angry.

Erika: That's actually at the very top of the list because they do exist and we all know it. There are those people who come on like your best friend and they are knifing you in the back. The trick is figuring out who they are and getting away. Or get pissed off and see what happens.

TeenHollywood: There is so much competition in Hollywood among young actresses. Has another actress ever done anything evil to you?

Evan: I actually had a part and somebody stuck their nose it in and took it!

Erika: That's happened to me. The most evil things that have happened to me is people trying to make you feel less than you are or wear down your confidence. That's really wrong. And those are the same people who will....

Evan: ... Be your best friend.

Erika: Right. Fortunately, it's not everyone.

Evan: I've had pretty good luck with other girls. It's kind of surprising but some have been supportive.

Erika: We're both like guys' girls. So being in an environment where there is mainly women is very interesting.

Evan: And scary.

TeenHollywood: So was it weird to be sisters in this film then? You both grew up with brothers.

Evan: I never did that cooking in the kitchen stuff.

Erika: My mom doesn't even cook. She can but my dad cooks and my mom and I are not girly and (to Evan) neither is your mom at all.

TeenHollywood: Evan, your boyfriend in the film bungee-jumps. Have you ever done that?

Evan: I've kind of bungee-jumped. I wasn't attached by the ankles. I was in a harness. You don't just jump. They pull you back (and launch you). It was seventeen stories and then you pull a cord and you drop.

Erika: I did that parachute thing. You can do it with a bunch of people. One person, when you are up there has to pull the string to release you and we didn't do it together but Evan and I were both the braves ones pulling the strings. Also, I went zip-lining between mountains. It was so fun. I think I'd rather go sky-diving than bungee jumping though.

TeenHollywood: Evan, you didn't do this right after Thirteen but after that intense film did you think 'I want to lighten up now'?

Evan: I don't want to just be known as the extreme, dark girl. Obviously I'm not going to jump in right away and do another promiscuous drug addict character. But, no, I was just looking for something good. It just worked out that I happened to balance everything out.

TeenHollywood: If either one of you were going to go out with a guy, what qualities do they need to have for you to like them?

Evan: Talk nerdy to me. Brainy.

Erika: Film buff.

Evan: I didn't even realize I had a type until like two weeks ago. I guess I like shaggy hair. I don't like guys who use hair spray. Just get out of the shower and shake it a little. Just funny guys and they have to like cartoons and Winnie the Pooh.

Erika: I want a genius myself. I want a creative genius. I realized that. I'm really attracted to it. And somebody with soul and integrity.

TeenHollywood: Ideal date activities for you? Erika, we know you are into Karaoke.

Erika: That's a good one, actually. I definitely think just the standard dinner is nice so you can talk. Anywhere you can talk. Movies are great but you at least have to do dinner and a movie... or the other way around, movie and then dinner so you have something to talk about.

Evan: Or watch a movie at somebody's house. I think theme parks are really fun. I always wait and see if the guy will take me to the Santa Monica pier. I know it's really corny but, to me, when I think of a date, I think of walking along the pier, sunset, Ferris Wheel sort of thing.

TeenHollywood: What music do you use to escape or get away in your head?

Evan: Radiohead takes me on a trip. That can take me to a whole other level.

Erika: I listen to so many different kinds of music. And they all take me to different places. I love Billie Holiday and older music. It's really pretty and it makes your whole life feel like a movie; everything just feels nice.

TeenHollywood: Speaking of nice, we hear that Joan Allen, who plays your mom in the film is really a great person.

Evan: She is so great.

Erika: She's a wonderful person.

Evan: She's completely opposite of her character. Completely understanding and loving. She hung out with us.

Erika: She wasn't going out to her trailer.

Evan: I don't know how she turns it on and off. She'd be like (angry) waaaa and then, la, la, la.

TeenHollywood: You guys grew up with brothers and certainly don't have alcoholic moms. What can you relate to in this film?

Evan: Everybody goes through that chaotic family stuff. It's gonna happen.

Erika: Your secrets sneak up on you and rip at you. I think it's obvious that these characters desperately need each other and there's this understanding among them that they love each other no matter what. When you have that freedom, when you know you're not going to lose each other, you'll always love each other, you can say horrible things.

TeenHollywood: What actors are you dying to work with? They can be great AND cute.

Evan: Besides Johnny Depp?

Erika: Gael Garcia Bernal. He's cute and he's brilliant. I want to work with someone Evan worked with, Edward Norton.

Evan: He's so, so talented. He's brilliant in Down in the Valley. I think people are going to freak out. I think it's the best thing he's ever done.

Erika: I want to work with Clive Owen. (We all agree that Clive is hot)

TeenHollywood: Any message for people watching your careers?

Erika: I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am and thank you for watching the movies. We're making them for you.

Evan: Yeah. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is a decent movie. Thank you so much.

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.