Julianne Moore on Tilda Swinton Friendship after Starring in "The Room Next Door" Together

So this is my first time on your actual show on your set. I used to work here. This is the studio where I shot As the World Turns. I knew! That's Franny. Is that the character? So that was that was also my first photo shoot I think as that character on As the World Turns. That was also shot on these premises somewhere. Oh you look so beautiful. That's really crazy and that bright blue. With your gorgeous red hair and the yellow backdrop. Were you on that show with Marissa Tomei? Yes! Oh my gosh. My best friend Marcy. Okay I love her by the way. I love her too. I mean do you guys remember like you know what your thoughts and dreams were? Because you both won Academy Awards since then by the way. She was amazing. She was here my very first day. It's so scary because you're kind of just thrown into it. I was very young. I didn't know where to go. What to do. And I got in the elevator. There's this big building. And right here. Yeah right here in this building. And I was just kind of standing there. And she goes okay look Elle right there. Elle that's for lunch. That's where the cafeteria is. I was like thank you. But she was she was amazing and so helpful and so friendly and so cool. Now I want to talk about the extraordinary film that I was so lucky enough to get to watch in anticipation of this interview. The Room Next Door. Pedro Almodovar's debut. Yes it's a feature film. He's made shorts in English. But this is his first feature film in English. So it was such a shock when I got invited to do this. Because I never anticipated I would ever get to work with him. So I've been watching this film with you and Tilda Swinton. And it is it has a very what you would think would be difficult storyline done in a way that is optimistic, inspiring, incredible. And humane. Really humane. It's like and it's such a celebration I think of female friendship. And it's something that you don't see depicted very often in film. So often for us as actresses you know when there are two women together it's going to be a familial relationship. It's like mother and daughter or they're antagonists. Or the friend is just like a sidekick when in fact no one is a sidekick in a friendship. It's a you know I mean female friendships have been the most profound things in my life. That you know to bear witness to someone's life to be there when they need them to take a walk with them. To to work out with them. To take care of each other's children. You know to witness someone else's life is a really is a really important thing. And that's kind of what this movie is about. I'm always looking for the gold. Mining for the gold. It's like what elevates life every day? What makes it worth living? You know friendship does. Female friendship is such a big one. Yeah saying I see you. I recognize you. I'm with you. I'll sit with you. I'm here for you. Always. I think female friendship has been the thing that probably anchored my life the most. Most of my friends I've had for 30 and 40 years. I'm going to be 50. So it's like my whole life I've known these people. I love that they I trust them implicitly. They're very honest with me. And I know that they've seen where I've been and where I'm going. And I I just I feel like not having had traditional family. Everything is possible through my female friendship. And they want the best for you. And get through heartbreak. That's right. Every time I've ever been dumped my first phone call is my girlfriend. They make it so much better. Yeah and they're what's interesting in this movie too is that they're old friends. They were friends in their 20s. They haven't seen each other in a long time. And I hear that that that Tilda's characters in the hospital. So I go to visit her. I'm just like my my character Ingrid is the kind of person who shows up. You know how you don't know who's going to show up for you when you're in a crisis. And sometimes it's really surprising who shows up. And so my character does that. And then she stays. And in the course of that relationship they kind of rekindle this thing that they had in their 20s. And then Tilda and I actually built a relationship in real life. Which was awesome. Did you guys know each other beforehand? Or was this the electric connection that you picked up right here? And she you know she and I have the same age. We have kids that are around the same age. We've had relatively similar careers. We both have red hair. And we've seen each other like at you know at film festivals and doing press and hotels. But never knew each other. And in the process of doing this and spending time together. And doing that stuff you do with your girlfriend. Saying like you know how old are your kids? And where do you live? And what do you like to do? And what do you have for lunch? And no you're not crazy. And all that kind of stuff. You you built we formed a real connection. And we became friends. It's so palpable the chemistry you have. And I just was on this journey and the film ended. And I was like I am so much better for having seen this beautiful piece of art. That is also so about the human experience. I loved it. Okay we have to go to a quick commercial break. But we'll be right back with more Julia Moore.