Media Credit: Courtesy of 2929 Productions Evan Rachel Wood and Eva Amurri star in the upcoming release "The Life Before Her Eyes."

Eva Amurri began her acting career early, appearing in films throughout her youth that mostly starred her mother, Susan Sarandon. Now twenty-three years old and a recent graduate of Brown University, she has been paving her own distinct path in the industry, gaining attention in the acclaimed film "Saved!" in 2004.

Her latest film, "The Life Before Her Eyes," directed by Vadim Perelman ("House of Sand and Fog") and co-starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood, comes out on Friday. Amurri spoke with the Daily Texan about her new film, acting, and what it's like working with her mom in movies.

Daily Texan: What made you want to do this film?

Eva Amurri: I really liked the script - I thought it was really beautifully written. Also, I was excited that Vadim [Perelman] was attached. He's somebody whose work I've always really liked and Evan [Rachel Wood] as well, so it was really attractive to me in that way. And also the character was so different from anything I've played, and it was a real opportunity to challenge myself, so I jumped in, I auditioned and got it.

DT: How large a part did the fact that you were born to parents in the business play in your current career as an actress?

EA: Not very much. It certainly has helped me gain a lot of perspective about the business because I grew up around it and I know what it's all about. But at the same time, at a certain point it doesn't really matter who your parents are when you're working. If you actually want to book jobs, it's kind of up to you at that point.

DT: Is it strange working in the same industry, let alone the same film, as your mother?

EA: Yeah, it is strange. I mean, I always say to other people when they ask how it is, "do you work with your parents?" It's very bizarre working with a parent. But it's also interesting and fun. Whenever my mom and I get to work with each other it's a fun experience - we get along really well.

DT: You worked with many actors your age in the film "Saved!" How did that experience compare to your other acting experiences?

EA: It was wonderful. It was like acting camp. It was so great working with all these people close to my age. I was really young, and it was the first time I was living away from home. I was only seventeen and I was in Vancouver for seven weeks on my own. It was so much fun. It really was a great group of people. We all became really close. And I think that's a moment in time you can't really recreate. It was my first time really experiencing something like that, so it's something that is still very special to me.

DT: Who are some people you admire in the film industry or people you'd like to work with in the future?

EA: Oh man, tons! I mean in terms of actors, Sean Penn is somebody who has really had a very interesting, really rich career and is a great talent. People like Kate Winslet, people like that. Even somebody like Rachel McAdams, who is closer to me in age, has done a lot of really different things and is really good at what she does and manages to have a private life as well, which is something I appreciate.

DT: On the subject of entertainment, have you come across anything of interest recently that you've enjoyed - books, film, music?

EA: I loved "There Will Be Blood." I loved the book "Youth in Revolt" - it's really good. My favorite book is "Secret History." I mean, I could go on all night; in all those areas, there are a lot of things that I like.

DT: If you weren't acting today, what would you be doing?

EA: I don't know. Maybe writing.

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