Mena Suvari Talks About Her Naughty New Movie and Her Passion for Reggae

Mena Suvari began her acting career in a Rice-A-Roni commercial at the tender age of 13. Her big break came a few years later, when the then-20-year-old blonde beauty starred in two hits movies in one year, 'American Pie,' and 'American Beauty.'

In the years since, Suvari has worked with everyone from Queen Latifah and Colin Firth to Jennifer Aniston and James Franco. PopEater talked to the busy actress about her latest movie, an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel 'Garden of Eden,' in which she plays a young American newlywed honeymooning with her writer husband. Things get complicated when an exotic interloper enters the picture.

You did this movie a while ago.
Yeah, we made it at least four years ago.

So, it just sat on a shelf?
(Laughs) Good question. It premiered in Rome a year-and-a-half ago. I think if you ask any actor, it is the most devastating thing to have happen. Its funny, my agent told me about this article in Variety or Hollywood Reporter about how some actor's best work is sometimes shelved. I think with this film, I think the business has really changed a lot. This was always an independent film, it was a passion product, it took a lot to get it made. There was a moment when we were almost unable to finish it. I feel like this film getting picked up and released on DVD is the best thing that could have happened.

Why did you decide to do it?
I was drawn right away to how complicated my character was. I'm always taken by characters like that. The book is so different from anything Hemingway had written before. He struggled for over 10 years to write this story and he never finished it. It was published posthumously.
The story is a bit naughty.
Yes, it is!

Have you ever encountered that situation in your personal life?
No, no not that I can say. I feel like this story though is timeless.

How old were you when you did 'American Beauty?'
Oh God, young! I was 20.

Were you prepared for how big it was?
No, I had no idea. I didn't grow up in the business. I didn't know about Oscars and awards. I always thought about being an archeologist or something. I was modeling and fell into this industry. I took a year off after high school, I was acting at that time and I did 'American Pie' and 'American Beauty' back-to-back. I had no idea. I was so green. I remember people congratulating me because 'American Pie' was such a success, and I honestly thought that every movie made 100 million dollars.

You got married in Italy.
Yes, we got married at the Vatican.

Wow! Is your uncle the Pope?
My husband's Italian and his mom's side of the family are in Rome. We were very, very lucky. It was a huge honor. We received a blessing and certificate from the Pope.

What's something surprising about you?
I guess some people are shocked about my interest in music. I have a passion for reggae. I produced an album with a couple of my friends that showcases how reggae has influenced people from all over the world. Bands from Texas and Sweden that perform in the genre and it's really awesome.

Mena Suvari Heidi Klum Cindy Taylor Olivia Wilde Tessie Santiago