Film star Newton on acting ruthless

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By Liam Allen Entertainment reporter, BBC News

"I'd like to work with Mr Ritchie once a year - just for my own mental health"

Thandie Newton talks about working with director Guy Ritchie

"He's up for what life is there to throw at him," says actress Thandie Newton.

"It's lovely to be around that sort of energy and lust for life."

The British actress, best-known for roles in the Oscar-winning Crash and Mission: Impossible II, stars in the new Guy Ritchie gangster flick, RocknRolla.

Newton plays a hard-nosed accountant willing to step on anyone - including underworld villains and a Roman Abramovich-esque football chairman - to get what she wants.

But, despite having made it to the top of the Tinseltown tree, Newton insists she has no ruthless streak of her own.

"In order to manipulate people to that degree, there is an inherent disrespect - in humanity and in other people. Life is very cheap.

"That is absolutely the antithesis of my personal philosophy."

Newton portrays a hard-nosed accountant in her latest role

It's clear that this philosophy includes a need to be reflective after nearly 20 years in the film business.

At the age of 35, Newton is already a film veteran.

Brought up in Cornwall, by a Zimbabwean mother and British father, she starred in her first film, Flirting alongside Nicole Kidman, at the age of 16.

"Ten years ago, I probably would have bemoaned the fact that I started out so young - but now I'm grateful - truly grateful."

In a career spanning more than 20 films, she has co-starred with Hollywood royalty, including Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise - in 1995's Interview with the Vampire - and Will Smith, in The Pursuit of Happyness.

Her eclectic CV has included a recurring role in the hit TV series ER, a comic turn in last year's Run Fatboy Run and a forthcoming appearance as Condoleeza Rice in Oliver Stone's W.

Making errors

One of her finest moments came when she won the Bafta for best supporting actress in 2006 for her portrayal of Christine in Crash alongside Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock.

But it's not necessarily a path she wants her two young daughters, with director Oliver Parker, to follow.Newton was lauded for her performance in racial drama Crash

"You know, my kids are kind of apprentices so, if they ever decide to go into the film business, I think it would be a great thing and I'd be there for them.

"But I think 16's just too young - you've gotta be out chewing gum, snogging boys, just making errors in a kind of small way."

Her view could be clouded by the fact that, at that time, she began a relationship with Flirting director John Duigan, who was more than 20 years her senior.

She has spoken before about her bitterness over that relationship. But Newton, as ever, remains philosophical.

"At the same time, I really value everything," she says.

"And, if I hadn't got into the film business then, I don't know if I ever would have gone into it."

<i>RocknRolla opens across the UK on 5 September.</i>