Want to see "If Only", you have to date her......WELL OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Wade Tatangelo
Herald Staff Writer

If you want to date Jennifer Love Hewitt you're gonna have to see her new film "If Only," which makes its world premiere tonight in Sarasota.

The film is about a self-absorbed young man who doesn't show his girlfriend, played by Hewitt, enough affection.

"But then he gets a second chance," Hewitt says. "Unlike in real life. In real life you usually only get one shot."

It's 9 a.m. in sunny Los Angeles. Hewitt is perky and affable as she discusses her new film, taking risks and the public's fascination with her cleavage.

"It's a prerequisite now," Hewitt laughs. "Before I go out on a first date with a guy I'm going to sit him down and make him watch it."

In addition to starring, the 24-year-old actress/singer also produced "If Only" with her company, LoveSpell Entertainment. When Hewitt read the script seven years ago she recognized herself in the character. But when she auditioned for the part, the then 17-year-old was told she was too young.

"All romantic films are written for people in their late 20s because people assume you can't really fall in love in your early 20s," Hewitt says. "But 19, 20, 21, that's the greatest love, before you've been jaded, it's love in its purest form."

Hewitt eventually forgot about "If Only." Then one night she had a dream. She awoke and called the other "girls" at LoveSpell.

"Please, you gotta find out if the rights for 'If Only' are available," Hewitt recalls saying to her co-workers.

Fate? Luck? Hewitt dismisses neither. The "If Only" script became available that week. Hewitt acted quickly. Then donned her new producer's hat and strategized. The story dealt with a very tragic loss and the producer didn't want a schmaltzy sob-fest.

"I thought to keep this film from being too sappy the smart thing to do would be to hire a comedy director. Somebody to find the light moments in between the tears," Hewitt says.

As producer, Hewitt got her hands dirty choosing the crew and cast, helping line up shots, picking locations. She makes it clear she was a woman on a mission.

"Oh yeah," she says. "I played a very proactive role as producer."

Hewitt, who has recorded five albums for major labels, including her latest "Barenaked," sings two songs in the film, both of which she co-wrote. Hewitt insists the singing is not a plug for her recording career.

"Music and emotion go hand in hand for myself and the girl I play," Hewitt says.

"The script said the girl played violin, but for me to try that would've been awful. They would've had to film someone else's hands. So we decided to make the character's creative outlet, the thing that shows her as the romantic and the emotional core of the relationship, singing."

Hewitt will present the film when it debuts at the Sarasota Film Festival and attend the after-party. She is debating on whether she will sing there.

Hewitt, a self-professed goody-two-shoes, is not known for doing much drinking or Hollywood-style partying herself.

"Loud punk music and jumping around in my room" is Hewitt's preferred method of stress relief. "Behind closed door, though. If anybody saw me acting crazy like that they'd haul me off."

She has other ways of relaxing, too.

"I've been really into bubble-baths lately," Hewitt says.

Hewitt says the only way she can unwind is by "shutting out" the Hollywood gossip in which she figures so prominently. "I try not to talk about too much," Hewitt says. "The only shows like that I watch are 'Entertainment Tonight' and 'Acess Hollywood'; they're my guilty pleasures."

Hewitt was less then pleased with E!'s recent "Love Chain" episode, which linked Hewitt to famous beaus from Joey Lawrence to "If Only" co-star Paul Nichols.

When asked if "Love Chain" has hurt her dating game by painting an unfavorable picture, Hewitt became even more animated.

" 'Love Chain' has influenced people," Hewitt says. "It's made guys have a perception of me that I only date cute guys for awhile and move on.

"I date how any other 24-year-old person dates," she says. "I look for people who are special and hope it works out. I'm heartbroken when it doesn't."

Hewitt was the star of the critically acclaimed TV drama "Party of Five" from 1995-99. On the big screen, she's starred in such films as "Heartbreakers," with Sigourney Weaver and Gene Hackman, "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and "Can't Hardly Wait."

Her most demanding role was the 2000 ABC original movie "The Audrey Hepburn Story." Hewitt played the part of the legendary title role, and her performance garnered strong reviews.

Hewitt agreed to take the role only after her mom, with whom she lives and describes as a best friend, reminded her that Hepburn overcame similar odds at the start of her career, when she was labeled box office poison by Hollywood studio heads.

"I figured even if it ended my career, because the role was so daring and so crazy, I'd have a good story to tell," Hewitt laughs.

Despite Hewitt's acting and singing accomplishments, her dating habits and how much cleavage she is showing dominates the headlines.

Hewitt says the intrigue surrounding her breasts stems from their suppression during her years on the anti-"Beverly Hills 90210" drama "Party of Five."

"For years I wore clothes that hid them," Hewitt says. In 1997, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" was a blockbuster starring Hewitt in some tight tank tops. Rumors of surgical augmentation quickly spread.

"I don't even go to the doctor for shots . . .," Hewitt said. "It was so embarrassing. I was 18, going 'Why are people talking about this?' I wore big sweaters to hide them."

Hewitt has since become more comfortable with her body.

"Yes," she laughs. "I don't get the big deal, though; it's called a good bra."

Story:  © 2004 Knight Ridder Inc All rights reserved.
Image: © 2004 If Only Production Services Limited. All rights reserved.
"Love Spell" and Love Spell logo: ™ ® & © Love Spell Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.