Her heart was broken by Brad, she was vexed by Vince and jilted by John but still love happens for Jennifer Aniston. In fact it is her undying optimism that separates Jen from what otherwise could be seen as another almost autobiographical singleton role in her latest movie.
In Love Happens the 40-year-old actress plays a successful businesswoman so damaged by her past relationships that she'll do anything to avoid even the slightest liaison with the opposite sex - even pretending to be deaf! Dark Knight star Aaron Eckhart plays the man who won't take no for an answer and tests Jen's resolve and her anti-love stance.
In real life Jen has of course had as much bad luck with men as her character - if not more. But not even the fact that the whole world has witnessed her misfortune has put her off loving again or the prospect of the next romantic encounter.
Listening to her talk about the themes of her latest romantic comedy and those of romance in general is like listening to a well-rehearsed agony aunt. And that's a role Jen seems more than comfortable with as she admits to being a good receiver and giver of advice these days.
Q: Tell us about your character in Love Happens.
JA: "Eloise is a young woman with a business but she's in a place where she has not chosen well on a romantic front. So she likes the fixer-upper projects."
Q: This isn't your traditional romantic comedy though.
JA: "No it's very different I think. I actually saw it with a friend a couple of months ago in New York and we really were not prepared for it. Aaron particularly is amazing. He had us both in tears."
Q: So what does it take to make ‘love happen'?
JA: "I think you have to relinquish control because I don't think love is something you can control or even choose. It chooses you."
Q: Would you say you need to be open to it?
JA: "You need to be open to it but also open to what form it comes in. I think people tend to have all these rules and these pre-set ideas of what the person is supposed to be, how it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be. All these plans and then..
Q: It seems that with every actor you work with there are rumours that you are dating them and yet that doesn't seem to have happened this time with Aaron (two face) Eckhart.
JA: "Oh there were. That was there. But Aaron never hit on me. He's such a
gentleman."
Q: What is the worst thing you have done to avoid a guy?
JA: "I do remember once meeting somebody and talking to them and I went to
the bathroom and just never came back..ever! "
Q: A lot of what you say makes you seem like a real-life guru. Do a lot of
your friends come to you in tough times for advice?
JA: "Well, yeah, I am the go-to girl a lot but I love that. I love helping friends. I've been the recipient of great information and advice and a giver of it but when you are in need I think you have got to show up - whether it's to celebrate or to console or whatever. I think it's about consistency, loyalty and honesty."
Q: What advice would 40-year-old Jen give 20-year-old Jen if you could?
JA: "Enjoy life! I think we have such angst in our twenties and in out thirties even. And if I had felt as good at 30 as I do at 40 I would have probably enjoyed myself a lot more."
Q: So where do you see yourself in 20 more years?
JA: "I don't (laughs). I don't ever look past tomorrow. Although I know next Tuesday I have a premier so I look that far (laughs)."
LOVE HAPPENS is now showing at Irish cinemas nationwide.