The first successes. After a series of bad films, she finally won recognition in 1996, in "Walking and talking ", and played a small part in "The juror" with Demi Moore. But it was the part of Johnny Depp's wife in " Donnie Brasco " which attracted the praises of criticism to her. Consequently, things started to accelerate in the year 1997 when, after " Donnie Brasco " she starred in 2 other films " Wag the dog " and " Volcano ". In " Wag the dog " she played opposite Robert de Niro and Dustin Hoffman. Anne played the White House PR director, who helped a Hollywood producer to fake a war to distract the public from the president's impropriety with a Girl Scout. There is of course a reference to the Clinton-Lewinsky affair. The part was initially written for a man, but director Barry Levinson thought it would be good to have a female playing opposite Niro and Hoffman. Anne was delighted:

"I was very surprised when Barry Levinson called me in to read. I thought there must be some mistakes, but he wanted to see how it would work with a woman. Actually, we didn't change many of the lines; they were just coming out of my mouth instead of a man's."

First reward. This film provided Heche with an opportunity to win the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. She obtained then her first major part as Tommy Lee Jones-s co-star in " Volcano ". It was a disaster film in which Anne played Doctor Amy Barnes who fights to save Los Angeles from destruction by a volcano. Anne expected a lot from this film :

"I'm excited about what "Volcano" can do for my career. I can see the possibility of doors opening,"

A major coup. At this beginning of year 97, the film was not released. The Disney studios were seeking an actress to play the leading female part in their next film " 6 days, 7 nights ", a romantic comedy. Her agent gave her the script:

- "I can play this part with my eyes closed," I said to my agent.

- "I know. It's you. Has you written all over it"

- "It is me. I can nail this one, no problem."

- "I think you can too". My agent always believed in me.

- "Do they know who's playing the other part?"

- "Sure do; you're not going to believe."

I thought the movie was a small, low-budget romantic comedy I got comedy bug after doing Wag and thought a lighthearted romance would be fun

- "Harrison Ford"

- "WHAT?"

- "Can you believe it?"

- "Can I believe it?no, I can't believe it! I'm never gonna get it now"

- "You're a great actress, Anne"

- "Fuck that! He's Harrison Ford! Why should he care whether I'm great or ot. Fuck"

- "Of course he cares"

- "Okay, maybe he cares, but the studio won't. They're not going to hire me play opposite him"

- "You never know. You're hot right now"

- "I'm not movie star hot. I'm not Harrison Ford hot"

- "You never know" I like his attitude

- "who else are they looking at?"

- "Everyone Anne. Come on. It's Harrison Ford"

- "That's my point. Shit! Do you think I can get a meeting?"

- "What do you thing I'm calling you for?"

- "I got a meeting?"

- "With Harrison and the director"

- "Me, getting to meet Harrison Ford? Who cares if I get the part!"

- "Get the part I care"

- "I care too, I guess. Fuck, man! Harrison Ford!"

Anne auditions. The result is hopeful: Harrison Ford wants to work with her. The producers make her a proposal. In her career it is a major coup. She carries it in front of Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, 2 of the high-profile actresses who had audiotioned with Ford.