July, 1999
Newly married, newly sober actor David
Arquette, 27, is getting rave reviews from critics and audiences as Drew
Barrymore's cooler older brother in the comedy Never Been Kissed.
In the film, David acts as counsel to his geeky 25-year-old sister Josie (Drew),
a newspaper copy editor who gets her big shot at becoming a reporter when she's
sent back to high school to get the scoop on today's teens. "Never Been
Kissed is about the growing experience," David says. "When you're
growing up, a lot of things that you perceive as cool turn out to be very
uncool. The geeks turn out to be the cool people and the cool people turn out to
be the losers.
"I think I'm continually a geek. But I think a lot of people are. Integrity
is an important asset. I think family, friends and relationships are the most
important things about life."
His newfound wisdom and sobriety can be attributed to his relationship with
Friends star Courteney Cox, whom he met whilst shooting the Scream movies. The
couple married in a ceremony in San Francisco last month and have just finished
filming the comedy The Shrink Is In. They're now due to start work on the third
Scream movie, but David found time to reflect on his new outlook on life.
NW: You kept your wedding plans
secret...
David: Yeah, we had to . But, of
course, you can't keep things totally secret. It got out somehow, some way. Then
you get those rediculous helicopters flying over you all the time!
NW: Has Courteney helped you clean up your act?
David: I knew that staying with
Courteney, or eing with Courteney in general, meant that I had to clean up my
act. So that, more so, was the reason. She's not one to tell me what I can and
can't do. It's pretty much up to me. But she was really there for me, and that
inspired me to open up my heart to her. I wanted to be able to marry someone
like Courteney, to nurture a healthy, beautiful relationship together and have a
wonderful family. And all that depends on really being honest with myself and
choosing the right path, and being true. Not taking life for granted, and really
following the goodness in my heart, and not succumbing to any sort of
temptation.
NW: What drugs were you taking?
David: Oh, I really don't want to get
into any of that because it gets twisted up and then people focus on that. But,
for me, drups are just not where I want to be. I've found the clarity you get
from being straight. Not that I'm some kind of sober person, because I still
have a drink now and then, and that, as much as anything is destructive. But
it's how far you take things. And the clarity you have - that's the most
important thing.
NW: Were you surprised that Courteney stuck it out?
David: Yeah, definately. It makes it
especially difficult having a relationship in the public eye, as well.
NW: Is it easy to have your personal and professional lives intertwined?
David: Well, it was really difficult
through the filming process. During Scream 2, we were at a really big
crossroads. And towards the end of it, we sort of thought more about staying
together, but still we never really committed to each other. But just in the
last year, it really has become a devoted relationship, and we got engaged. And
I couldn't wish for anything better. It's what I've dreamt of my whole life.
It's what I've been searching for, and it was right in front of me.
NW: How did you pop the question?
David: We went down to Panama City in
Florida and we were on the beach, and I had asked her father the day before. I
set off these fireworks and she was a little shocked - she didn't know what was
going on, really. And then I asked her. She said "yes" and was very
excited. She was really excited that I never came to the point where she had to
hint at it.
NW: Were you scared to ask her dad?
David: It was intimidating. I only
had, like, a couple of seconds. He was leaving, and we were all together at the
same time, and I wanted to ask him in private. So, as he was leaving, I sort of
ran out and said, "Excuse me, Mr Cox, I just wanted you to know that I'm
asking your daughter for her hand in marriage, and I would like your
blessing." And he said, 'You have my blessing, son.' It was really great.
NW: You go to couple's therapy...
David: Yeah, and if you don't, you
should check yourself in. Everyone needs help. It's a difficult world, and a lot
of therapists have ways of helping you through it. And that could be perceived
as a geeky thing, but in reality, it's a healthy, important asset.
NW: What's The Shrink Is In all about?
David: Courteney plays this
panic-ridden agoraphobic who, through a turn of events, becomes a therapist. She
starts giving out advice, without the credentials, and I play one of her
patients. She discovered the script a long tiem ago, through friends of hers,
and she's been working on it and trying to put it together for months. It
finally came together and we shot it in May and June.
Story: Jenny Peters
©2001 Absolutely Arquette