Greta Gerwig talks about her new movie 'Lola Versus'

Greta Gerwig is often dubbed an "it-girl" or "indie queen" for her work in small movies such as "Hannah Takes the Stairs" and "Greenberg," but the 28-year-old actress isn't a big fan of being labeled.

"All of the labeling is very strange," the Barnard College grad tells us. "Most of it's just flattering, but I think in many ways it's a way for people to have a shorthand to write about you that puts you in a category that I think is pre-existing."

In the end, though, if you had to categorize Gerwig, it's best to do so simply: Top-notch actress. The gifted, likable performer carries the new dramedy "Lola Versus," opening Friday, as the title character - a New York woman facing a series of personal crises as she nears 30.

We spoke with Gerwig about the movie and her rapidly ascending career.

What was it like to know that you were wanted for a lead role that would require you to be onscreen the entire time, while running a serious emotional gauntlet? It was hugely surprising to me that they wanted me because it is such a big part and it does entail so much. I think, often, I just expect those parts to go to other people who are more well-established than I am. I was honored, but it was terrifying, because there's something to taking on something like that where you have to fight your feelings of insecurity or unworthiness.

Still, have you ever had that moment where it's hit you that you've "made it" as an actor? Yeah, all the time. It doesn't ever really feel secure, though, because Hollywood is so fickle and the world of hype is so fickle, it never feels like, "Oh, I've got it made forever." It kind of feels like, "tThis is happening to me, but I don't depend on it happening for the long term." It just feels like you keep working and keep hoping that it works out, but you have no way of guaranteeing any of it.

Do you have any dream roles, or dream collaborators? I would like to play someone where there's nothing romantic in the movie at all, there's no men ever. I would like to do something where I'm simply robbing a bank, or whatever it is I'm doing. I'm not talking about creating a world where there's no sexuality at all, but more that that's not the trajectory of the movie, that's not what the movie's about, because that's not really what my life's about and I feel like as an actor it's so much more fun to play a lot of things where different things mean something to you.

You're also in Woody Allen's "To Rome with Love," which opens in a couple weeks. What was that experience like?I was really nervous about doing it, because I so idolize him. It's sometimes hard to act for someone that you idolize, because it almost prevents you from doing your job. ... It was really kind of hard to get over just the intimidation at first, but we had an amazing cast and the writing is just so funny.