Pictures | Magazines | Articles | Movie List | Links | Email Jack

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columns/ljean.htm

'Simon' says Judd ready to take off

Ashley Judd is flamencoing on the set of her current thriller in Vancouver.

But she's a mom again in Simon Birch, taken from the John Irving best
seller A Prayer for Owen Meany and due Sept. 11. It's about a boy searching
for his father and a child who believes that he has a special purpose in life.

"I got lucky," Judd says of the part. "Two famous actresses were supposed
to do it, superstars. Everyone in town wanted to have something to do with
it. But one had a scheduling conflict; the other, they couldn't make her
deal. My agent was cruising the scene." Voila, a coup for Judd.

She's not a superstar, but she's on the verge: talented, beautiful, smart,
determined and in demand. She had read this book, appreciating "the depth
and delicacy with which (Irving) deals with issues of friendship and faith."

Judd is not shy of talking about religion, a foundation of her famous
family. Simon (Owen in the book) was born with a syndrome that makes him 3
feet tall. He could be described, she says, as having "a private
relationship with God."

Jim Carrey narrates Simon, but Judd had no interaction with him. Her love
interest in the film is adorable Oliver Platt. Judd liked him so much that,
since he's also working in Vancouver, "I tried to get him to move in with me."

She has rented a five-bedroom house while making Double Jeopardy
(co-starring Tommy Lee Jones). Mom Naomi has been up (to rub Ashley's
feet). Dad Michael Ciminella is visiting, and she hopes sis Wynonna, will
arrive.

In Jeopardy, she plays a woman accused of killing her husband. "I do some
of my own underwater stunts in the ocean. In addition to two custom-made
wetsuits, they had a hot tub for me on the set yesterday. Little things
like that convince me this is a rather fancy production!"

Jeopardy director Bruce Beresford is also keeping her happy with flamenco
lessons she wanted. "Flamenco is a complete summation of my personality —
hyperactivity and stillness, passion, intensity of facial expressions — and
I like the dresses!"

Judd turned 30 in April, with an ecstatic day at home in Kentucky:
"Straight to Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a day in church with my family, a book
signed by all the basketball team of the University of Kentucky (her alma
mater) . . . first night in my old farmhouse, restored for three years."
This summer she had "some of the best adventures" of her life, but she's
too smart to say what they were. She's also smart enough not to give when
asked about her love life: "Nothing to say. Nice try!"

By Jeannie Williams, USA TODAY