Simone, Winona Ryder
Image credit: Winona Ryder: EXTRA/ZUMA Press; Simone: Darren Michaels

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Winona Ryder

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Truth be told, Ryder's career wasn't exactly on fire before the Saks mess (''Girl, Interrupted'' proved beneficial only to Oscar winner Angelina Jolie; ''Lost Souls'' and ''Autumn in New York'' proved beneficial to no one), and her reputation for erratic behavior precedes her. Recall the mysterious illness that ended her participation in the Brit indie ''Lily and the Secret Planting'' last summer -- or, looking back 12 years, the alleged breakdown that cost her a role in ''The Godfather, Part III.'' ''If this person had been up for multiple Academy Awards [recently], if she'd been involved in a movie with a $150 million box office, I think we'd be looking at it one way,'' says yet another production head. ''Right now, we tend to look at it differently.'' (After ''Deeds,'' Ryder's only upcoming project is New Line's ''Simone,'' where she plays -- interestingly -- a humbled Hollywood diva.)

For now, though, Ryder must continue to weather a litany of accusations, a barrage of sordid headlines, and questions about the wisdom of her defense. Howard Weitzman, famed defender of John DeLorean and O.J. Simpson, thinks her counsel's media attacks on the prosecution may backfire. ''[Geragos] is trying this case in the public forum rather than in the courtroom.... [But] it really boils down to, Did she walk out of the store with items she didn't pay for?'' Weitzman suspects the DA may have the goods: ''It's pretty unusual to arrest somebody with that type of profile unless you're certain you have the evidence.'' And there's still the possibility of a plea bargain, which Geragos rails against, but also doesn't rule out.

Regardless of legal strategy, Fox's Rothman urges that judgment on Ryder be withheld until the curtain falls on the courtroom antics. ''I learned you were innocent until proven guilty,'' he observes, ''even if you're a celebrity.'' That's a line Ryder should consider stealing.

Originally posted Jun 06, 2002 Published in issue #658 Jun 14, 2002 Order article reprints
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