Jennifer Westfeldt has written and starred in films exploring same-sex relationships (her 2001 breakout hit Kissing Jessica Stein) and couples therapy (Ira & Abby). Now, she tackles children in Friends with Kids, her sincere, deeply funny directorial debut. Here, we chat with the actress-director-screenwriter (who's been dating her film's co-star Jon Hamm since before Don Draper was even a glimmer in Matthew Weiner's eye) about her real-life views on the subject.
Do you and Jon think about having kids?
We do. It's hard to know if we will, or won't, or if it's too late, but, it hasn't been pressing for us. I kept thinking I'd wake up with some clarity about it and I haven't yet.
Is that why you made the movie?
It was born out of just watching the different ways in which our friends handled the transition, and being such a big part of their lives, but also being somewhat removed because we are out of sync with our peer group.
Do you worry about how kids would affect your relationship?
Sure. We've been in such a long relationship and it's been such a successful one and such a romantic one and we have the luxury of going wherever we want. There aren't a lot of limitations on what we're able to do and what we're able to do as a couple. Obviously that shifts and changes if you have kids. You have to kind of give up the old life and reign in the new, and that's a big decision.
Do you and Jon think about having kids?
We do. It's hard to know if we will, or won't, or if it's too late, but, it hasn't been pressing for us. I kept thinking I'd wake up with some clarity about it and I haven't yet.
Is that why you made the movie?
It was born out of just watching the different ways in which our friends handled the transition, and being such a big part of their lives, but also being somewhat removed because we are out of sync with our peer group.
Do you worry about how kids would affect your relationship?
Sure. We've been in such a long relationship and it's been such a successful one and such a romantic one and we have the luxury of going wherever we want. There aren't a lot of limitations on what we're able to do and what we're able to do as a couple. Obviously that shifts and changes if you have kids. You have to kind of give up the old life and reign in the new, and that's a big decision.