Q 6

PLAYBOY: Much was written about the not-so-behind-the-scenes struggles during the filming of The Cotton Club, which Coppola directed. What did the press miss?

Diane Lane: Suck it out of me with a syringe! OK. There was a real feeling of alienation for everybody, which was surprising. It was such a rich film that I though it would require a similar richness from those involved. I never got the feeling that I was connected to what was going on--and it wasn't just me. Of course, it didn't help that you didn't know what was going to happen in the next five minutes. Neither did the publicity. It made everyone step back and lapse into his own perspective while we were making the film.

In my role, I wanted very much to be--it sounds strange--momma. I wanted to be nurturing to the environment in any way I could and not leave my character [Vera Cicero] behind. I usually don't work that way, staying with the character all day. But I wanted to be nurturing--to Francis, to Richard Gere, even to people in the hallways; to make an effort to give something, even if it was vulgar humor. This film was particularly thick.

Q 7

PLAYBOY: You were acting at the age of seven in classic stage tragedies, whose protagonists usually have one tragic flaw. What's yours?

Diane Lane: Shall I run through a list? A recurring theme--though it's not written in stone--is that I have such high expectations of other people that I'm perpetually disappointed. Also, one day, after I've lived a full life as an attractive woman, I'll arrive at a place where I may not be what I once was in terms of my ability to attract someone I want--though I hope to get it all taken care of before I get there. I guess I consider it tragic that I'm going to age like everyone else. There's something going on now in my looks that I want to preserve.

Q 8

PLAYBOY: Do you prefer garter belts or panty hose?

Diane Lane: It depends on the person for whom I disrobe.

Q 9

PLAYBOY: What's the best advice you've ever gotten about men from a man?

Diane Lane: My dad has said a lot of things to me. We're very tight. In fact, I've said a lot of things to him about women. But I remember the time I didn't know how to break up with my boyfriend and I asked Francis Coppola for advice. He had a daughter who was going to be my age any minute, and I figured it would be good practice for him. Besides, he is very paternal with me, and we talk a lot about real life. He said, "Let him off the hook. Let him think that you're a bad person--if that's what he needs--so he can feel like he's leaving you."

See, everybody had told me that relationship wouldn't work, but I didn't want to hear it. But people kept saying, "You don't know what love is. Please. I've had three divorces and 12 children. What the hell is love, anyway?" They were trying to piss on my fire. I figured, Hey, I'm 19. Give me a fucking break. I want to be in love! I had never had a boyfriend before. I wanted to be a girlfriend: that whole picture of the young couple walking, holding hands, at sunset on the beach. I thought we were going to be that rare high school couple who make it all the way through, in spite of the odds against us. But he thought I was changing--getting overly sophisticated--and I hated the idea. It scared the hell out of me. And then there was the whole celibacy bit when we were separated--we spent a long period watching our Ps and Qs at a time when our hormones were wreaking havoc on our adolescent bodies. And he also had to go and experience his own challenges, without comparing them with mine. We decided to ignore the situation for a while, but it was like I was waiting for his success to arrive. And that wasn't fair for him.

It was never a matter of dump or be dumped. Francis just meant that it would be best if my boyfriend felt like he was doing the right thing by leaving.

Q 10

PLAYBOY: Now that you're unattached, what kind of man has a chance with you? And do you still want that picture of love you described?

Diane Lane: Oh, boy--a shameful lot. [Laughs] I don't have a list of qualifications that I check when I meet someone. That's probably my problem. I would like to be more discriminating about certain things. The bedroom isn't where the screening process should take place. But mainly, I want someone who has had a lot of experience.

I already had what I was talking about before. Now it's time for something else. It's just another season. I'm not saying I don't want a lover--everyone wants one. But I just don't have time for one now. Maybe next week I'll make the time.

Q 11

PLAYBOY: Where do you spend Christmas?

Diane Lane: At my best friend's house, usually, because she has a family. My dad will go over there with me sometimes. It will probably hurt my parents' feelings to read this, but I like to be at a home. I go to other people's houses because I assume there should be a lot of people around to give the sensation that Christmas is really there. It's hard to acknowledge Christmas with only two people in the room.

Q 12

PLAYBOY: Who is your best friend and why?

Diane Lane: Robin has been my best friend since kindergarten. She's like my living diary. But I wonder if I can call her my best friend any more. I don't know what's going on with her. She went to Mexico to marry this, oh, guy, and I think it's an unbelievable mistake. And she can read about it in PLAYBOY, because I haven't had the nerve to tell her in real life. Plus, she turned punk rock on me. That's fine. I can appreciate it, but when we hang out together, you would not believe that we even knew each other. Still, we went through everything together. She was the only friend I had. My other friends didn't know, because I didn't really rely on them for anything except being there occasionally when I was lucky enough to get them on the phone or had a free minute to talk to them. But Robin I really counted on.