Heinle hits screen in 'Limey'

If you haven't seen "The Limey," odds are that you aren't familiar with Amelia Heinle, as the film marks her first foray into mainstream movies, after roles on the daytime-dramas "Loving" and "The City." In the film, Heinle plays Adhara the girlfriend of Valentine, (Peter Fonda) a record-producer who hasn't quite let go of the '60s. However, working with Fonda and director Steven Soderbergh ("Out of Sight" and "sex, lies and videotape") didn't intimidate the young actress. "He's (Soderbergh) not intimidating at all. He's really sweet and a very, very nice person. So it was fun."

Soderbergh created a loose set where he gave the actors a great deal of creative freedom. In the middle of shooting, the director jokingly typed out and distributed a pamphlet of "Rules Of What To Do In The Presence Of Steven Soderbergh." The packet included items like, Steven is the only one allowed to chew gum on the set, and contributed in keeping everyone at ease. "He's got a twisted, wonderful sense of humor," Heinle said.

Heinle said the mellow set helped the director establish his desired environment for shooting the film. "I think that Steven Soderbergh just cuts together a bunch of stuff and just let's the actors do what they want. It's neat when you watch him working - he doesn't give you any direction and then in his head he's thinking the whole time exactly how it's going to be cut together. He's just brilliant. You can see his mind working, he's just not telling you to do anything, he's not freaking out about anything, which is great. He's totally in control of what he's doing."

Working alongside screen legend Peter Fonda ("Easy Rider" and "Ulee's Gold") was another experience that went well for Heinle, and the actor made the her feel right at home on the set. "He is the least intimidating person in the world. He is like your best friend in high school. He's just the nicest most easy going guy. In the beginning if you feel intimidated, you'll only feel that way for two minutes. He'll tell a joke or tell a story and you'll feel right at home."

Heinle also said that Fonda shared more than a little in common with his on-screen persona in the film. "He's exactly like the character he plays in the movie. He's being himself. That's what Soderbergh was saying 'I want him to be exactly who he is, what he's doing when we're hanging out and talking, that's what I want him to be in the movie,'" Heinle said.

Believe it or not, her busy schedule kept Heinle from seeing "They Limey" up until recently. "I didn't get a chance to see it when it was screening, because I was working at the time, so I sent my mother and she said 'It was very interesting' so then finally I got a chance to go see it two weeks ago. And I was shocked. I know Steven's a great director, one of the best directors, and what Terence Stamp did with the character surprised me beyond belief," Heinle said. "I'm really proud of it, and everyone did such a good job."

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