Scott Thomas scoffs at the suggestion that she inspires great screen chemistry in her leading men. She stirred the emotions of Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient and has since added Redford, Ford and Sean Penn to her list. She stars opposite Penn in the romantic drama Up at the Villa, which will be released next year. Love scenes work or don't work because of the chemistry between the actors. It all has to do with the chemistry of the characters we play.
Audiences believe what is developing between the people in the story.
They know it's just acting on our behalf. When you do love scenes, you have to know that the other person isn't going to invade your physical space. Scott Thomas is aware Hollywood is not kind to actresses over 40. Ford is 18 years her senior. Of course Hollywood's double standard with age bothers me, but I try not to think about it.