NEW YORK ( CNN ) -- `` My One and Only '' begins with Renee Zellweger , playing a woman based on George Hamilton 's mother Anne , discovering her husband with another woman . Renee Zellweger plays a woman based on George Hamilton 's mother in `` My One and Only . '' Despite the initial heartbreak , Anne puts on a happy face , and Zellweger gives life to a character who 's determined to make the rest of her years comfortable and adventurous . Her husband 's indiscretion is the catalyst that sends Anne on a cross-country quest to find a new husband in 1953 America . She pulls her two sons out of school in New York City and the trio set off on an adventure by car . The tale has its roots in actor George Hamilton 's young life . The film takes a look at gender roles of the time and how women were perceived . Much of the film gets colored in by the characters and their ever-present emotions ( though Zellweger 's fabulous frocks add plenty of color on their own ) . Zellweger , who won an Oscar for `` Cold Mountain , '' spoke with CNN about `` My One And Only , '' George Hamilton and the way she believes she is perceived . Watch Zellweger talk about playing Hamilton 's mother » . CNN : What do you think of George Hamilton as a person now , knowing what he went through in his youth ? Renee Zellweger : I think it 's so fascinating . It was probably my favorite part of this experience , discovering that this was actually his life story . I mean , who knew ? You have an idea about who a person is based on their public persona and the work that they 've done . He 's a spectacular actor , and his collection of parts that he 's played and work that he 's done is unbelievable . ... But to get to know him , he 's so interesting . He 's so clever , and he 's very kind . Very kind . CNN : You 're playing Hamilton 's mother . Did he fill you in on what she was like ? Zellweger : No . You know , that 's what 's so interesting about it . [ Despite ] being such a personal ... project that he worked on so closely with Merv Griffin for over a decade ... he did n't . He had great faith and he just kind of let us go , which was sort of unbelievable when you look back on it . It was really clear to me from what was on the page who she was . CNN : Did you like her ? Zellweger : Very much . She 's kind of doing the best she can , and she thought , oh everything 's kind of a lark ... and things work out without your having to put your hands on it and make it happen . But she learns a different way and a more satisfying way to be involved in her own life , which is wonderful . So she sort of discovered that she could and gave herself permission to be in charge of herself . It was kind of a wonderful journey to watch . CNN : She was judged on her looks many times in the film . Have you faced similar situations , being judged on your looks and people not taking you seriously ? Zellweger : Not in such an overt way . I 'm not an actress who made her way based on physicality -- I think quite the opposite , in fact . I sort of disappear a little bit , with respect to my looks . I 'm lucky . I 'm not a standout , kind of knockout kind of girl that , you know , it 's all about my great hair or something . But , in subtle ways , maybe . I mean , people presume to know you for something and respond to you accordingly , I 'm sure . CNN : How was it stepping into the era of old Hollywood ? Did you enjoy wearing the clothes from the early '50s ? Zellweger : I loved it . I loved it . I had such a great time with it , and I brought a lot of my own things , actually . Things that have been given to me , things that I just would find while I 'm traveling on the road but have no opportunity to wear . You know , junk store finds that I think are spectacular . We brought them in , spruced them up and made them costumes . It was really exciting ; it was fun . CNN : Do you think you would have liked to work in that era ? Zellweger : Oh , yes and no . Yes because the glamour of it all or the -- it feels like play to me . It 's like playing dress-up all the time . And no because of the responsibility of having to maintain that immaculate presentation all the time would be exhausting . I think back on Marilyn Monroe putting those lashes on everyday , and I ca n't imagine , as I tie up my sneakers to go for a run . I can not imagine that you 're supposed to simultaneously look beautiful while you 're going out to buy groceries . I just do n't know that it would fit well with my personality . I do n't know that I would succeed ( laughs ) .
Renee Zellweger plays character based on George Kennedy 's mother in new films . She says she 's ` ` lucky , '' generally not judged on her appearance . Character was a joy to play -- particularly the late in ' 50s era of Hollywood .