Conversation w/ Ashley Judd

Ashley, director Callie Khouri pursued you until the bitter end to play the role of Vivi as a teen on into her thirties. How did you feel about that and what convinced you to take the part?
A.J. She’s a very together, articulate, joy-filled person and when she sent me e-mail after e-mail with the classic sucker punch line of, "nobody can play this part but you", I had to ultimately believe her.

That must have been pretty flattering?
A.J. Yes, it was. To be wanted that badly for something was to me amazing. I was so glad that she did want me because I absolutely loved playing the character of Vivi. There was a lot to do and I was certainly up for the challenge.

Vivi is such a complex character with so many layers; what for you was the most challenging part?
A.J. Ultimately, the playing seemed easy. I think that it’s because I had of compassion and love for the character. Probably the hurdle mentally was just accepting the part and saying, "OK, I’m going to wake up every day and have to commit fully to this ride because it is a pretty intense one".

You obviously did not work with Ellen Burstyn, because you play her character at a younger age, but I understand that you did hang out together a bit before the movie started shooting.
A.J. We spent a little time together. Actually I had wrapped High Crimes on a Saturday morning, went and did the junket for Someone Like You on Saturday and Sunday, and then on Sunday night I met with her. It was the most refreshing, beautiful elixir. Because in addition to starting to face the challenge of playing Vivi, I had the great privilege of getting to be around Ellen and see her serenity and her grace. She is not a woman masquerading as an actress, she is an actress through and through. Her whole life is compatible with her art and the characters she creates and it was a beautiful thing to see.

You, of course, are very close with your own mother and sister (Naomi and Wynonna Judd). Did you draw at all on your own relationships to play this part?
A.J. Actually, I tried not to. I wanted to love the women that I was with in the movie and add all of the intensity, nuance and devotion that the Ya Ya’s have through them and not trying to channel other people.

To me, the message in the book and the film is, life is too short. Can you sum it up for me?
A.J. I think that’s perfect. Redemption is always possible. Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it's very rewarding when it happens.

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