Her career translates well

“I need to eat,” says the gamine Spanish actress Paz Vega as she sits down on a soft sofa in the lounge at L’Hermitage in Beverly Hills.

The 30-year-old beauty, who has followed countrymen Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz to Hollywood, is 3 1/2 months’ pregnant with her first child. She’s finally past the morning sickness, and on the small table in front of her are a big dish of curly fries and a hearty bowl of soup. A native of Seville, Vega starred in such international hits as “Sex and Lucia” and “Carmen” before Oscar-winning director James L. Brooks brought her to America to star as the maid of an upscale Los Angeles family in 2004’s “Spanglish.”

She’ll next be seen opposite Oscar winner Morgan Freeman in the quirky independent comedy “10 Items or Less,” which opens Dec. 1. Written and directed by Brad Silberling (“Lemony Snicket”), the film revolves around an actor (Freeman) who befriends a feisty grocery store clerk (Vega) while preparing for a new movie role. When Freeman’s character needs a ride home to his mansion, the two hit the road and alter the course of each other’s lives.

Are you living here in Los Angeles now?

Actually, I am here since “Spanglish,” back and forth. This year, I was here all year. We are looking for a house to buy. I am interested in this [movie] market. In the beginning, I never thought to come here when I was young because I didn’t speak English and I had a lot of work in Europe, in Spain.

When I had the opportunity to work with Jim Brooks in “Spanglish,” everybody said, “You will have to come because you will have a lot of work here,” so as an actress to be here is a dream. My husband is here with me all the time.

Was it an adjustment living in Los Angeles?

In the beginning, it was difficult. I didn’t speak English at all. The city’s so big. And I didn’t know anybody. Now, I have a little family of friends. I know the city. I love the weather and it is very relaxing and good for work. It is good for children. It’s very healthy.

You and Morgan Freeman have enticing chemistry together in “10 Items or Less.”

That is very easy, to have chemistry with Mr. Freeman. It is very easy. We made that movie in 15 days. It’s a very low-budget movie. We didn’t have time to think. It was almost like a theater. Some days we had 20 pages [to shoot]. As an actress, it’s a pleasure. So to work with Morgan Freeman.... for me he’s a real maestro. I learned a lot with him.

Like what?

Everything. When he arrived on the set, how he is on the set. He is so elegant. He is very peaceful and calm. He is a gentleman.

So it’s just like your characters, who meet by chance in the movie.

Just like that. We met one day and the next day we were shooting. People say sometimes the movie seems like an improvisation, but it’s not. The only part that is improvisation is when I teach him a song in Spanish.

I thought at one point your characters were going to have a romantic interlude.

It is a love story. I don’t know what kind of love, but there is love between them. Sometimes you can connect with someone and it is love. It is beautiful. It is very easy to fall in love with Mr. Freeman.

I think sometimes in your life you have some experience, a short experience that can change your life.

Did you ever have such an experience?

Yes. I have had a lot, fortunately. One day I decided to be an actress because I saw a play, “Casa de Bernardo Alba.” I always wanted to study diplomacy, and I was a sportswoman. I swam for eight years in competition, so my life was completely different. In one day, I went to the theater and everything changed.

For me, the play was a revelation. Everything was magic, even when I entered in the theater. I said I want to [act]. It was right away. I changed all my plans.

Was your family upset?

In the beginning, yes. My father was a bullfighter and an artist -- because for us a bullfighter is an artist.

So my father understands very well. He said you want to be an actress, great. But my mother wanted me to study. “You have to have a career and go to college. You have to study politics.” ... It was a drama, but now they are very, very happy.

-- Susan King