If you've seen any of the various trailers for "The Canyons" -- the film staring Lindsay Lohan and porn star James Deen -- you probably have your doubts about its bona fides.
In a lengthy profile by The New York Times, writer Stephen Rodrick details how Lohan came to be hired, fired, and then rehired for the film, which was written by Bret Easton Ellis and directed by Paul Schrader. Frankly, it all seems like a nightmare.
Here are a few things we learned about Lohan and "The Canyons":
Schrader thought Lohan would be perfect for the lead role of Tara, despite protests from everyone around him -- even his own daughter begged him not to use her. Before she was hired, Schrader went over the ground rules with Lohan for the film that would be shot on a "microbudget." Lohan would be paid $100 a day and receive an equal share of the profits, but had no say in decision making. She also wouldn't have a trailer and she would be contractually obligated to film a four-way sex scene -- he also promised he wouldn't try to sleep with her.
According to the NYT, Schrader was convinced he could handle Lohan, and it didn't hurt that the film was so low-budget that they wouldn't need to have her insured. But Lohan was up to her old tricks of being a no-show right away. When she didn't show up to the first read-through, Schrader fired her -- only to end up giving her another chance after she tracked him down at his hotel room. Through her sobs, Lohan explained that she missed the meeting because she was up until 3 a.m. and then took a sleeping pill.
But once shooting began, Lohan knew the ball was in her court, once even remarking to Schrader, "Sorry, Paul, I guess you’ll have to fire me again," during an argument about the film's continuity.
It was reported that Lohan was uncomfortable with the film's graphic sex scenes, and according to the NYT, those reports were more than accurate. When she held up production by refusing to remove her robe before the four-way sex scene between herself, Deen and two other porn actors, Schrader stripped off all his clothes and walked towards the actress in order for her to be comfortable. Surprisingly, it worked:
"Lohan dropped her robe. Schrader shouted action, and they filmed the scene in one 14-minute take. About halfway through, Lohan looked directly into the camera and flashed a dirty, demented smile at Schrader."
As far as her acting goes, Lohan endeared herself with standout performances in "The Parent Trap" and "Mean Girls." Her more recent work, hasn't exactly won her any awards, but at least she can count Lady Gaga as a fan.
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