NEW YORK (AP) -- Christina Ricci, best known for her role as the stone-faced Wednesday in "The Addams Family" films, has caught the attention of critics in Ang Lee's acclaimed "The Ice Storm."

She made her film debut at the age of 9 in "Mermaids," starring Cher and Winona Ryder. Now, almost 10 years later, she accepts that acting is her "real job" -- "that's frightening! I am now an official member of the work force" -- while making plans to attend Columbia University.

In "The Ice Storm," Ricci plays Wendy, a character deeply interested in the crumbling presidency of Richard Nixon and struggling with her own budding sexuality. (Wendy slaps on a Nixon mask before heavy petting with her boyfriend Mikey.)

One critic described Ricci in the film as "a touchingly real malcontent and a ticking time bomb."

Next up: a part in the film version of Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

"My sister was reading it when I was 11, and I picked it up. I got so disturbed that I couldn't finish it," Ricci says.

She didn't even attempt to read "The Ice Storm," Rick Moody's acerbic, lyrical novel that was the source for Lee's film.

Maybe it's all part of what she sees as her "role in life right now."

"I'm a really annoying teen-ager and can't help being obstinate and contrary," says Ricci, who doesn't have a driver's license or a role model, and doesn't see herself as a role model for anyone else.

Ricci: I think it's really hard, if you grow up in New York, to adjust to living in L.A. In New York, you don't have to drive. The one thing I don't like about L.A. is that I have to drive somewhere and I don't even have my license. Eventually I will, but right now I live in New York, so I don't need one.

Ricci: One thing I cannot get used to in L.A. is when you go out at night and everybody looks at one another. It doesn't even matter who you are, everybody watches one another. In New York, you only look at the people you're with, you know? It's very strange. In New York, you'd never want to get caught looking. In L.A., you get caught and they give you a look. They smile, or whatever. You get to be yourself a little bit more in New York because you know no one is watching.

Ricci: Yes, and it was sort of intimidating because he had this person following him around with a camera, making a documentary about his life, so I was in awe that I was going to be in part of the documentary of Hunter S. Thompson's life and times. He gave me acting tips. He feels that I put my hand on my hip too much. So, I thought about it for a while.

Ricci: No. But I would like to have the same kind of career that John Malkovich has, except I didn't really like that he was in 'Con Air,' but I'm sure he does not care .... He's always played really interesting characters, and he's well respected and interesting, as opposed to being like every other actor.

Ricci: It's weird. Like, me and Gaby (Hoffman, her co-star in 'Now and Then' and one of her best friends) will be sitting somewhere and I'll be smoking, and a woman will bring up her little kids and say 'they look up to you so much,' and I feel bad. I consider myself such a mess, and my life is not something people should want for themselves. But, I feel no responsibility. I feel badly smoking around little kids because they probably shouldn't. But I am a teen-ager. I am still allowed a couple years of being bad to myself.