Dakota Johnson, from ‘Shades of Grey’ to ‘Black Mass’ (Part 2)

JOHNSON at the screening of “Black Mass” at the Toronto International Film Festival. AP

(Part 2)

LOS ANGELES—“Growing up in a family such as mine, I was exposed to some people who were not necessarily loyal,” Dakota Johnson replied when asked about loyalty, a theme in her new film with Johnny Depp, Scott Cooper’s gangster drama, “Black Mass.” “That has made me a fiercely loyal person,” stressed the third-generation Hollywood actress in our recent chat in Toronto.

In this second part of our column on the showbiz-raised actress (whose parents are Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, stepdad is Antonio Banderas, and grandma is Tippi Hedren), she continued to talk about “Black Mass,” growing up in Hollywood, what she likes in a man, why she signed on to Instagram and more.

Do you think that Lindsey Cyr knew what her boyfriend was doing, that he was one of the most dangerous criminals in Boston?

I do. She said that she did know. But I wonder if she knew the extent of what was happening, with the murders and things.

Did you know anything about James “Whitey” Bulger before making this movie?

I knew [him] a little bit because the building that he was living in was owned by the family of a kid that I went to school with. So when that happened (when authorities tracked down Bulger and arrested him in Santa Monica, California), it was on the news, obviously.

It’s such an interesting story to know that a fugitive had been found. That was years prior to this film.

Which gangster movies do you like?

One of my favorite films is “Casino.” And “The Godfather I and II,” “Angels with Dirty Faces” and “Scarface.” My brother’s (Alexander Bauer) dad (Steven Bauer, Melanie’s ex-husband) is in “Scarface,” so I have to say “Scarface.”

The movie shows clan and neighborhood loyalties—blind or compromised—and betrayals. What does loyalty mean to you?

Growing up in a family such as mine, I was exposed to some people who were not necessarily loyal. That has made me a fiercely loyal person. But if they’re not going to be a good person to me or my loved ones, then I would remove myself (from the company of those people).

In an interview with your dad, he said that you don’t need any help because you’ve always been independent. When did you find your independence, your essence?

That is a lovely thing for my dad to say. I’m sure it was really annoying [to him] when I was young to think that I was really independent but I probably wasn’t (laughs).

I don’t know if I’ve found my essence yet (laughs). I always feel a little bit out of control. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel completely in control of my life or myself.

WITH COSTAR Johnny Depp at a special screening of their new film at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, Massachusetts. AP

Did you butt heads with your parents?

No, I think I just challenged them.

How do you decide what to share or not to share with the public in social media?

I recently discovered that a lot of people were paying attention to the social media sites of my family members. So I thought that if I had one (site), then people could just get [information] directly from me.

I also really like pictures. I love looking at people’s photo albums. It’s like that (on Instagram) and you get to do that. It’s like if I wanted to show Julianne (Nicholson, her “Black Mass” costar), a photo of my dog or my sister, I could do that.

What qualities do you like in a man?

Someone who is smart; someone I can spar with intellectually; someone who has integrity and is funny and sweet.

The opposite of Mr. Christian Grey.

Yeah.

What are the small things that make you happy?

People being kind makes me happy. Music, good food, dancing….

Why did your parents name you Dakota?

My parents had friends who were pregnant around the same time as my mom. They were going to name their son Dakota and I was supposed to be named Ruby. My dad thought that Ruby Johnson sounded like a hooker’s name (laughs). But there’s actually an incredible singer named Ruby Johnson. So then my parents were like, “Oh, Dakota, that’s a really good name.”

What was your Miss Golden Globe 2006 experience like?

I was so afraid. I had never been on stage before. I couldn’t walk in high heels. I was wearing this really tight dress. I had like black makeup on my face. I just wanted to hide (laughs).

But I was so honored to be doing that. It did feel at the time like it was a rite of passage. Oh, God, I wish I could go back and do it again and be like, it’s OK to feign elegance (laughs). But it was phenomenal.

Can you talk about your next film, “A Bigger Splash?”

“A Bigger Splash” premiered in Venice. That was very exciting. It was a totally different world from “Black Mass.” They are like polar opposites.

It’s sort of a retelling of “La Piscine” with Romy Schneider, Alain Delon and Jane Birkin. Working with Luca Guadagnino (director) was simultaneously relaxed and frantic. He’s an Italian filmmaker through and through—he sees things in colors, music, energy and shots all the time. He’s constantly imagining and coming up with ideas. Everything is very colorful.

My character is Penelope who was Jane Birkin’s character. Jane Birkin was doe-ish, coquettish and very enticing as a shy, young woman.

I saw the opportunity to portray a young girl who is frighteningly in tune with her sexuality, very manipulative and hyperintelligent to the point where playing with people’s emotions was fun for her. That ends up turning on her. She’s a 17-year-old who realizes that she doesn’t really know anything. So that was interesting.

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