Actress Penelope Cruz attends the Chopard trophy ceremony in Cannes May 20, 2006. Chopard honors masculine and feminine acting revelations during the annual Cannes Film Festival. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

CANNES - Penelope Cruz, one of the few European actresses able to command major roles on both sides of the Atlantic, will always consider herself a Hollywood outsider.

The 32-year-old, who critics say is at her best in "Volver," her latest collaboration with fellow Spaniard Pedro Almodovar, has nothing against Tinseltown, but wants to avoid being caught in the glare of the movie capital's bright lights.

"I feel very grateful for the opportunities they are giving me there also," she told Reuters in an interview on Saturday to promote "Volver," which is in competition at the Cannes film festival.

"But I always work there as a European actress that is also working in America, because that's the way to protect myself from the negative things from that industry.

"There are a lot of positive things (but) there are always things that are dangerous, may be even more for a woman," she added, speaking in English.

Cruz's personal life came under scrutiny during her relationship with Hollywood star Tom Cruise between 2001 and 2004. She has starred alongside other "A"-listers, including Johnny Depp in "Blow" and Nicolas Cage in "Captain Corelli's Mandolin."

"I always go away to shoot there (in Hollywood) or to spend time there, knowing when I am coming back. And that's a way to protect myself and to really be where I am instead of being there pretending to be something else."

Cruz, whose first big international hit was arguably in Almodovar's "All About My Mother" in 1999, said that Hollywood was perhaps unfairly portrayed as superficial and commercial in some sections of the press.

"It doesn't mean everybody is like that or everyone thinks that way. You can find that in Spain also, here in France, everywhere."

"MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE"

Trade magazine Hollywood Reporter called Cruz's performance in "Volver" "memorable."

"Cruz has never looked lovelier or acted better," it added.

She plays Raimunda, an overworked yet resourceful mother who faces seemingly insurmountable challenges including disposing of a body, cooking for a film crew of 30 and reconciling with her mother, played by Carmen Maura.

Beneath the humor there runs a tragic undercurrent of abuse and abandonment.

"He (Almodovar) is my favorite director and it's a gift, this character. He had the trust to bring to my hands such an amazing, difficult, complex character and that's what I look for. I don't look for easy things."

Asked if she agreed with the glowing reviews, she added:

"I know I am always very tough on myself and when I watched this movie I didn't torture myself, because I feel we rehearsed for three months.

"When I watched it, I felt I'd done one of those things that I know I'm going to be proud of for the rest of my life."

The audience at the Cannes premiere on Friday gave "Volver" a standing ovation, and the critics place it top of the early contenders for the main "Palme d'Or" prize.