NO LOVE LOST HERE

Jennifer Love Hewitt -- "Love'' for short -- expects hateful things to be said about her performance in Heartbreakers. Not because she doesn't like the big-screen MGM comedy that unfurls Friday -- or her work as a sex siren in it. But because, she says, "It seems I'm always being held up to scrutiny. I'm definitely not the most talented person in the business, but I try hard, and when they say bad things about me in the press, it doesn't make me feel good.''

The 22-year-old actress figures that the attacks on her likely started when she took on the role of Audrey Hepburn in last year's telepic about the late screen goddess. "It took a certain amount of bravery to take on something like that. I guess I invited the knocks then. But when it continues. . . . It baffles me. And makes me curious. And, yes, it hurts.'' She feels she's set herself up for ridicule again with Heartbreakers, and explains that reviews will make note of "the tiny, little, sexy outfits I wear. But I'm proud of the picture.''

She's just finished another picture: The Devil and Daniel Webster, directed by Alec Baldwin and featuring the former Party of Five actress as the devil. "I think people will be pretty curious as to why I got cast as the devil,'' she says. "I'm going to let Alec Baldwin explain that one, because I'm not really sure.''