From Rebecca Murray,
Your Guide to Hollywood Movies.
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Katie Holmes and “Batman Begins:” Katie Holmes co-stars in “Batman Begins” as Rachel, a former sweetheart of Bruce Wayne’s. Friends since childhood, the two grew up together and continued to be close until Wayne left the country for an extended period of time.

When Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) returns to Gotham, he discovers Rachel's become an Assistant District Attorney who's frustrated by her inability to prosecute Gotham’s biggest criminals because of the corrupt criminal justice system. Though they're both fighting the good fight, Bruce is unable to let her know he's fighting crime in his own special way...

Katie Holmes on Why She Signed on to “Batman Begins:” “I’ve been a fan of Chris Nolan, obviously for ‘Memento,’ and I heard they were making this movie. And then I heard that he was going to be the director so I was trying to get as many meetings as I could at Warner Brothers. And then I went and tested – I read the script – went and tested for the role with Christian [Bale] - he was already cast as Batman - over in London. I waited by my phone for about three days and got the call and immediately called everyone I knew. I was so thrilled to get the part and join this great cast. My excitement only grew with each day on the set.”

Katie Holmes on Not Playing a Damsel in Distress: “Yeah, it was exciting. That’s what I really liked about playing Rachel. She’s such a strong female character. She’s tough, she’s able to be honest with Bruce, and she tells him how she really feels. She doesn’t apologize for it. She wants to make a difference and I like seeing characters like that. I like seeing tough women.”

On the Relationship Between Rachel and Bruce Wayne: “It was fun to portray that relationship, that close-knit friendship where you have just this understanding of each other based on the fact that you know each other’s past and you’re just able to communicate about anything because you just know each other so well. I thought it was a beautiful relationship to explore.”

Katie Holmes on Working with Director Christopher Nolan: “It was great working with Chris Nolan. I was a fan of his and I think he is a brilliant director. But he was a great leader on the set as well and such a professional, and I enjoyed working with him. He was very collaborative, but also let you do your job and then maybe he’d come in and guide you. And if not, he’d let you go. He was great. I really enjoyed it. I trusted him and then I saw the movie and I was so proud of it and so proud to be in it.”

Preparing to Play a Role That Doesn’t Exist in the Comic Book: “It was great to play Rachel. I didn’t have the comic book character to draw from but it was like playing any other character you create from what’s on the page. And this script was so well written that it was pretty much all on the page.”

Katie Holmes Describes Rachel: “…She’s very much an independent thinker. She has a lot of idealistic views about the world and she’s trying to make it a better place.”

Her Reaction the First Time She Watched the Finished Film: “I was happy. I had a big smile on my face.”

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise: No Katie Holmes interview would be complete without the requisite Tom Cruise questions. Tom Cruise joined Katie Holmes for the Los Angeles press junket of “Batman Begins” and while he didn’t sit in on the interviews, he was definitely close by to give support to his girlfriend. When asked about her personal life, Holmes said, “I’m so happy. I’m so happy.” So what attracted the young actress to Hollywood megastar Cruise? “What do I like about Tom? Ok, he is the most amazing man I’ve ever met. The smartest, the most generous. Other than that. Amazing. I love him,” confided Holmes.

Even with all the attention surrounding their relationship, Holmes claims she couldn’t be happier. Asked if there’s a downside to being involved with Cruise she smiled and said with much emphasis, “I’m in love with Tom Cruise,” implying there isn’t a downside.

What movie of Tom’s is Katie’s favorite? Holmes confessed, “I love all of his movies. I love all of his movies. I love Tom.”