Buzzine sits down with multi-talented Drew Barrymore, both a co-star and producer of the upcoming romantic comedy, He’s Just Not That In To You.

Emmanuel Itier: Why did you play a smaller role in the film?

Drew Barrymore: I produced it with Nancy [Juvonen]. I enjoy producing, and had I just directed another film, so I’m really obviously loving the behind-the-scenes aspects of it. There were so many other wonderful people, that I was honored to be a part of the ensemble. I just really liked [my character] Mary. I helped create her with Nan and the writers. It just worked out that way seamlessly.

EI: Nancy said in real life you are Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin’s character).

DB: Yes, apparently she based a lot of Gigi on me, but I think I’m more like Mary right now, and I’m not embarrassed by that at all because it’s such a good thing. And when you hear Ginnifer talk about the character, I’m like, “Oh my God, I’m so freaking validated. It’s so exciting.” But I’m in my 30s now, and I’m in a different place and I feel like Mary. I’m single; I’m a little dismayed by technology… It’s so fun. That’s why I picked her.

EI: When do you know he’s just not that into you?

DB: I think usually it’s obvious. When someone’s not meeting you halfway, it’s usually that they’re not really that into you.

EI: Do you still believe in love, even with the characters who didn’t find love in the movie?

DB: Falling in love with yourself is kind of interesting. You put so much stock into other people, and then you’re like, “I’m going to spend some time kind of falling in love with myself, just be me for a while.” I think it’s really interesting to have a film where not everyone’s path [is] wrapped up at the end. People have journeys and paths. I love [Scarlett Johansson’s] character’s path. I love Jennifer Connelly’s…

EI: Do you talk a lot about men with your girlfriends, and did you ever give someone the book?

DB: My girlfriends have been so much smarter than me in spreading the gospel, and I’m like, “Yay, I hear you.” I love this movie. I love what Nan has done, and Ken [Kwapis], with the performances and the reality and the tone. I just think it’s relatable; it has wisdom, it’s not heavy-handed. I’ve learned something, absolutely. I think it’s a phenomenal movie.

EI: Why do you think there seems to be this kind of cultural conditioning for women to obsess so much about men, and do you think men are really the same?

DB: I think that we like to dissect and analyze. “Obsess” is such a negative word, but I think we care voraciously about how to make love work — how to find it and how to maintain it — and I don’t find any crime in that. Some women can go overboard, and I think, with this movie, hopefully all our sane friends will stop us crossing that line. Men seem different, but I can’t help believe in my heart that they have to talk with their friends and figure stuff out too.

EI: Do you think there’s a shift in the way our generation, and maybe future generations, will view and pursue romance?

DB: I think we’re trying to get past mixed messages and expect more from other people and to be smarter.

EI: Do you agree that men aren’t complicated at all, as the book says?

DB: I think every individual is complex, and to simplify them by saying men are simple is ridiculous. There’s a lot I have to learn about men, but there’s a lot I have learned. Relationships do take up a tremendous amount of work, but it’s a different type of work that’s not as mentally exhausting or exhausting on your heart. It’s more productive work.

EI: How does technology work in this film?

DB: Have you ever had that thing where someone doesn’t text you or Facebook you back? I don’t have a lot of technological portholes, luckily, so someone really has to do it to my face, which I like. I relate to my character, but I don’t know how to gauge technology and love and dating. It’s just hard. You can misunderstand. It’s not enough. You’re expected to reply on the spot. You can be in a meeting and someone will say, “Why didn’t you text me back?” and I’ll say, “Because I have a frickin’ life.” I prefer, if someone has something to say, that they do it to my face.

EI: What are your thoughts on the institution of marriage?

DB: I don’t know. My life has yet to reveal itself, so never say “never.”

EI: But you believe in it?

DB: Yes, why wouldn’t I?!

EI: What about Charlie’s Angels 3?

DB: I would love it. They’re a process — long and wonderfully difficult, but such fun movies to make. Any time, any day, I would wish it to come true. Of course, I don’t have to wish — I’d have to make it happen. Sitting on my butt gets you nowhere. We are thinking about it, but that’s all we’re doing at this point.

EI: Can you talk about Jessica Lange and the film you made together, Grey Gardens?

DB: She’s the most amazing woman on the planet, and we fell in love. And that’s a blessing because Little Edie and Big Edie were in love. That chemistry is phenomenal. I love stories like Paper Moon and Planes, Trains & Automobiles that aren’t a man and a woman. Big Edie chose to never leave, and when we come around to talk about that movie, I can’t wait to talk about it with you. I can’t wait for you to see it.