Michelle Williams starred with Christina Ricci in the 2001 drama film Prozac Nation. Portraying Ruby, a Harvard roommate of Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wurtzel (Christina Ricci), she only had a few lines in the movie.
A youthful Christina Ricci and Michelle Williams on the set of ‘Prozac Nation’ at age 20 (Credit: Miramax / WENN)
Filming Challenges and Support
Born on February 12, 1980, in Santa Monica, California, Ricci was just 20 years old when filming the nude scenes for Prozac Nation.
Just a few months younger, Michelle Williams was born on September 9, 1980, in Kalispell, Montana, and celebrated her 21st birthday on September 9, 2001.
During the filming of the nude scene in Prozac Nation, Christina Ricci’s co-star, Michelle Williams, provided support by monitoring the footage. She ensured Christina felt comfortable with how she was being portrayed by watching the scene unfold on the screen and reassuring her that everything looked appropriate.
Christina Ricci sports dramatic long hair extensions for her role in ‘Prozac Nation’ (Credit: WENN)
Reflecting on On-Screen Vulnerability
Christina Ricci explained in a June 2001 interview with Salon that she and the director agreed a nude scene was crucial for Prozac Nation.
“People ask that like I was tied to a chair while all my clothes were stripped off me. But yes, that’s true. The director and I had decided that a nude scene was important for the movie,” Ricci revealed.
“The movie itself is so exploitive of me. ‘Exploitive’ has such a negative connotation, but there are some situations in which you exploit everything that you have, and I did for that movie. So for me, it was like, why not exploit me physically as well?”
Jason Biggs and Christina Ricci bring their characters to life in ‘Prozac Nation’ (Credit: Miramax / WENN)
Filmed in 2000, Miramax Films planned to release the drama Prozac Nation in late 2001. The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2001.
However, the release was shelved indefinitely in the US for several reasons. These included the protagonist’s complex portrayal, the controversy surrounding author Elizabeth Wurtzel’s comments on 9/11, and Wurtzel’s reported dislike of the film.
The movie finally debuted on the Starz! Network in 2005 following Harvey and Bob Weinstein’s departure from Miramax, which led to the release of all previously shelved films.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers portrays Noah with depth, while Christina Ricci embodies Elizabeth Wurtzel in the intense drama ‘Prozac Nation’ (Credit: Miramax Films)
Awards and Fashion Highlights
In February 2011, Prozac Nation actress Michelle Williams had much to be happy about. The “Blue Valentine” star was among the Oscar nominees for Best Actress, though she lost to Natalie Portman of Black Swan.
Michelle Williams shows how to wear a black silk blouse with a tweed skirt (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
She wore a classic outfit from Chanel’s Spring 2011 Collection for the Nominations Luncheon: a black silk blouse and tweed skirt. It was an effortless look, but it was also one of understated elegance. Michelle capped off the look with a pair of Sergio Rossi pumps.
Actress Michelle Williams in Chanel at the 83rd Academy Awards nominations luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN)
Perhaps if I were to nitpick, I would say a pair of pearl earrings would have brightened up that beautiful face a little more. Nonetheless, I do think she looked terrific.