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The Object of Obsession
Madeline Zima did what few have been able to do, making the transition from child star to young starlet without becoming the subject of a True Hollywood Story. As Mia on Showtime’s Californication, she is nothing like the girl we used to know and secretly we can’t wait to find out more.
Madeline Zima is prompt. That’s the first thing I noticed, and being a type-A person, believe me when I say I notice things like that. We were supposed to speak via phone at 3 p.m. eastern time and exactly at 3 p.m. the phone buzzed. The pictures you’re looking at had been shot weeks ago, so really the hard work was done. Madeline looked fine; photographer had done a great job. In short, everyone had a certain satisfaction with how the process went which means as the writer I was in danger of dealing with postphoto shoot letdown. If you don’t know what that is it’s very simple. Actors love to get their photo taken, they love to act but they rarely like to talk. This means I am always in danger of being blown off once the shots are in the can. Or I get the requisite 15 minute rushed conversation that doesn’t give me much to work with. So you can imagine my surprise when the buzz came exactly at 3 p.m. and it only got better from there. See, Madeline Zima has some stuff to say.
Madeline is warm and engaging. That is apparent within moments of launching into our conversation. What else is apparent is that she has done this before. Even though she is 23 years old, Madeline is a veteran of show business. She starred for six years on the sitcom The Nanny. Despite Fran Drescher’s voice the show was a hit and Madeline has worked ever since. Her current project; hit Showtime show Californication is where we get to see the woman who is an accomplished presence on the screen. That presence comes through as we chat and you know she is confident with where she is now. And you need that confidence when you’re making the transition from child star to mature actress.
“A lot of it is perception,” she says. “People will have an image of you as a sitcom kid and they don’t want to take a chance. I have to make them allow me to expand with new roles that are exciting and unpredictable.”
That in a nutshell would describe her character Mia from Californication. I don’t want to give it all away, in case you missed the shows’ first season. If you did, shame on you. Go out and get it on DVD. It has amazing writing, powerful performances and Madeline is a must-see. Her character is an enchanting, smart, albeit misguided, Lolita who seduces the main character Hank, played by recent Golden Globe winner David Duchnovny. It’s easy to dismiss it as titillating, but that is where Madeline takes over and adds depth to her character.
“Mia is a function of obsessive love. We have all had unrequited love in our lives and I pull from that. Mia is desperately seeking someone to love and you have all the elements. Mentor/protégé, older man… in short, she has a talent crush.”
Having seen the show and also having viewed the shots from the photo shoot, I find it hard to believe that Madeline has ever been in a situation where her love was unrequited. So where does that knowledge come from? How do you pull that in to your performance? She is beautiful in a way that makes you want her and makes you want to be her friend. In others words she is sexy, cool….not the kind of woman you ignore if she likes you. She laughs when I mention that. “Everyone has been in that situation” she maintains. “I have obsessed and have been the object of obsession. What I have not personally experienced I have pulled from my sisters, from friends. But in the end, you have to take a long look at the consequences that come from any action.”
Consequences is a theme that comes up a lot. It is central to Mia’s evolution as a young woman coming to terms with her strength and power. It is a theme that is more and more important with a Hollywood that consumes its young stars in short order. Although the threat is always there in an industry driven to excess, you sense that Madeline is strong enough and grounded enough to avoid those traps.
“You have to not get caught up in your own ego. We all have personal demons but if you keep yourself to a certain standard you’ll be okay and you can avoid the tabloids.”
Doesn’t exactly sound like the words of someone who has grown up in front of the camera for the better part of a decade. But maybe that’s why she is special. Maybe it’s because she is thoughtful, maybe it’s because she is talented, maybe it’s because she is beautiful, maybe it’s all of the above. But in the end, like punctuality, it’s a rare thing and to be appreciated.
