Sandra Bullock: ‘I love jewellery but it’s not as good as real estate or real friends’

Sandra Bullock and her criminal-minded friends in Ocean’s 8 plot to steal a very expensive Cartier necklace right off the neck of a guest at a party. Is this just another heist film? Sandra talks about what makes it special

What about Ocean’s 8 enticed you to do it? Was it the thrill of the heist?

To me, the most important thing wasn’t the heist. I knew that would be executed and that would be fun, but to me it was important to show how these women just supported each other and liked each other and wanted the best for each other And live their authentic lives with each other. And I think [it’s] the same thing with friendship; as you get older, your circle of friends gets small because you realise you are who you are, and you are not going to change, and those people love you for exactly who you are and allow you to be safe that way and they are the ones who will be your lifelong friends.

When you hear the word Cartier, what comes to mind?

Decadence, beauty, history, the architecture of jewellery, and it’s not haphazard—it’s thought out by craftsmen and women, and they create timepieces. I mean, Cartier is one of the oldest houses and they still exist in the modern age, which is rare. When I think about Cartier, I think about many presents in red boxes that I should like to receive from Cartier.

So I take it you believe diamonds are a girl’s best friend?

No, I believe that real estate is a girl’s best friend, real estate that you own outright. I see a diamond across the room and I am like, ‘Oh.’ There is something about the sparkle of a diamond that leads you to it, but I don’t wear much jewellery. I’m afraid that I am going to lose it. And I have two children and I am outside a lot. Can you see me bejewelled as I am playing baseball with the kids? I love jewellery when it’s beautifully made and classic, but to me [it’s] not as good as real estate or real friends.

You just mentioned your kids. Has your life changed in any way because of them?

I now have a complete commitment to my son and daughter. I have a beautiful two-year-old girl, Laila. And she is powerful. Yeah, life changed dramatically two-and-a-half years ago when Laila came along and now the family is complete, and everything I do is about my kids.

What has motherhood taught you about yourself?

That I am incredibly impatient. I thought that I was very open and patient, but no. I realised how impatient I was and how you get very good at saying ‘no’. You are always worried about their safety and worried about doing the right thing, [and so] you say ‘no’ a lot [and it] just becomes a habit. And I say ‘no’ now, and they are like, ‘Mom, can I?’ and I am like ‘Nope, nope.’ And I have to stop myself and go, ‘Yes, life is too short.’ I know that they are good people, I know that they are smart, I know they do the right things and they say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and they are kind and empathetic and wise, and I am learning to let go a little bit, because life is too short and it’s happening too fast. I have been away from home for a week now and I’m on FaceTime with them and they already grew. And it kills me, and I can’t do that. So, I need to let go a little bit and just live in the fun more than being the mom.

George Clooney was in the original Ocean’s movies and here you are playing his sister. What do you think that you have that George didn’t?

Well, for one thing, breasts. But they are both thieves, and they can’t help themselves, they are a family of thieves, they are always on the take, they are always on the make and they are always thinking about what game they can run. Nothing is just ever normal. I think that a dinner table with the two of them is like how are they going to get out of paying the cheque? George has his own beauty and his own elegance and his own vibe. I had to learn how to be calmer, cooler, sit back more, not make so many jokes, shut my mouth when I wanted to open it. I had to learn to be cooler than I actually am.

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