You have two films coming out this year: Black Rainbow and The Linquini Incident, with David Bowie. What was it like working with David?

Wonderful. He's one of the only singers who can act.

Can you remember the worst thing that has ever been written about you?

"Watching Rosanna Arquette is Chinese water torture. What a drip, what a drip, what a drip"—Andrew Sarris about Nobody's Fool. Also, David Denby said New York Stories would've been a classic if not for me.

Do you think you're a sex symbol?

[laughs] No way! Not at all! That's funny.

Have you ever used a body double?

No, but I think I will. I'll be doing another movie with Martin Scorsese eventually, and if I have to get nude for somebody like him, I would do it. If I have a body double, I'll ask Madonna to be my legs.

Would you call yourself a trusting person?

Sometimes too trusting.

Does it get you in trouble?

Yes, unfortunately. But I still haven't learned not to trust. And I don't want to. What I'm learning now is to trust my instincts. If my gut reaction to somebody is "Danger!" then that's what I go with. If you really trust yourself, you're on the way to trusting the right people.

Have you ever been in therapy?

Me? Yeah, of course. I come from a real artistic family. I grew up by myself because I left home at fourteen. So no matter how together and hip and wonderful my parents are, they still bred insecurity.

What was the worst thing that kids said about you in junior high?

That I was a "nigger lover" because I only had black boyfriends. We were living in Virginia, in a commune, but unfortunately the kids were sent to a very racist school. My friends were black, and they had to ride in the back of the school bus. I wasn't raised that way. I remember always knowing racism is wrong and black is beautiful. Once, these young boys jumped me and put dog shit in my mouth. So the next day I went to school and I wrote "black power" on my hand. I got into a fight with the principal and told him to fuck off, and I was expelled.

You live primarily in Paris. Would you ever change your nationality?

I think the United States is one of the greatest countries. But I think the American dream is over, and it's sad, because America was a great concept. Everyone in France is entitled to medical care. We should have that. It's horrible that people who have worked for years have to spend their retirement income because one of them gets sick. So would I give up my nationality? Yes, to be French. But I'm an American. I pay taxes. I vote. I'm an expatriate, but I care about what happens here.

What do you hate most about your physical appearance?

I have buck teeth. I sucked my thumb until I was eleven...and then I went on to suck other things...I'm very insecure. I hate working out. I detest it. I have places that could probably be more toned, but in Europe, imperfection is beautiful.

Would you ever consider plastic surgery?

My first response is "Fuck, no," but if there was something that could take away stretch marks, I'd do it. I've seen people whose whole lives change because they've done something like that and it's make them happy. More power to them. Right now it's not something I'd choose, but who knows? My face might disintegrate, and I might get a chin job. Never say never.

You were in a long relationship with Peter Gabriel. Was there ever a point where you could see yourself staying home, washing diapers, frying chips?

I did it. Peter and I had a very big affair for many years, and it was very painful for a lot of people—including his wife. We lived together for three years in England. The most important thing was him, his life, his world. But now I need to focus on my work and career. I've never been happier, and I'm not with anyone. I feel like I'm exploding. I feel so alive, and that was being taken away when I was focused on a man. Women do that. It's instinctual. I'm thirty-one, and my whole being wants a child now. I'm going to be the greatest fucking mother in the world.

Would you ever consider having a child without a husband?

Yes. It's not my first choice, but if I'm not in a healthy, giving relationship in a few years, I will. I have a couple of candidates in mind.

Are you an easy person to live with?

No. I demand a tremendous amount of honesty and emotional depth. I've finally learned that if someone is in a bad mood it doesn't always have to do with you. In the past, I was always taking it personally. It comes from my own upbringing and my insecurity. I need attention and validation all the time. One of the reasons I became an actress was because I wanted people to love me and like me.

What drives you crazy in a man?

Emotional distance and workaholism. I'm not saying work isn't a good thing, but I hate when it takes the place of being emotionally there for somebody. What turns me on in a man? Romance. If someone gives me flowers and writes me love letters and takes me to dinners, to dance in the sunset by the sea, I'm a goner. But I know it needs to go deeper. A real relationship is not about dancing in the sunset—it's about moving through shit with each other. That's reality. It's sometimes so hard to let go of the fantasy, because we all really want that. I want both.

When was the last time you cried?

Oh, this morning. [laughs] I cry every day. I'm very emotional. I tend to cry a lot. Not always out of sadness.

What were you crying about?

We passed this homeless lady. It really makes me upset. The homeless situation is getting worse and worse, and nobody's doing anything about it. I feel so frustrated. I try to feed somebody every day when I'm in California. But sometimes things make me laugh and I also cry. Joni Mitchell has a line: "Laughing and crying. You know it's the same release." I've always loved that.

Is life fair?