Ashley Judd likes role's duality; it's tough, vulnerable

She's in demand for movies, but also enjoys the stage.
By MILAN PAURICH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW YORK -- Since her star-launching performance in 1993's "Ruby in Paradise," Ashley Judd has established herself as one of the busiest, most in-demand actresses in Hollywood.
Whether appearing in commercial blockbusters ("A Time to Kill," "Double Jeopardy") or small, quirky films ("Where the Heart Is," "Simon Birch"), Judd effortlessly commands the screen by virtue of her fierce intelligence and incomparable beauty. During a recent interview, Judd talked about her provocative new movie "Twisted."
Q. What drew you to the part of Jessica Shepard in "Twisted"?
A. The gender-bending nature of the character appealed to me. I thought of Jessica as both a guy and a woman. She's very sexual and tough, but also has a vulnerability that makes her interesting because there's such diversity within the role. (Pause.) And the opportunity to work with (director) Phil Kaufman and shoot in San Francisco.
Q. Jessica is one tough chick. Who would win in a fair fight, Jessica or Uma Thurman's "Bride" from "Kill Bill"?
A. I haven't even seen that movie yet (laughs), but I'm all fists -- Uma uses some pretty sharp implements, right?
Q. It seems that you enjoy mix-and-matching your films. For every "Kiss the Girls" or "High Crimes" there's a "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" or "Someone Like You." Is that a conscious decision?
A. Mix-and-matching is good. It keeps life upbeat and diversity is good. It's like eating: you don't want to eat the same food every day, and I don't want to do the same kind of movie every time. Movies are very involved and taxing, and your entire life becomes making that film. If it's not something enriching, I really don't know what the point is.
Q. You're currently starring on Broadway in a revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." What's that experience like? And do you plan on doing any more theater?
A. I'm satisfied every single night that I get to walk out there and play this role. I'd like to think that Tennessee is happy, too, and that's what means the most. The role of Maggie was offered to me several years ago, and I decided not to do it because it was in London. My husband and I had just met and I thought: "That's a nice way to handicap this beautiful new relationship -- go somewhere where we can't see each other for four months!" The fact that it came back to me says that it was meant to be. I really hope to do more theater in the future because I love the scheduling and I love the live audience. I'm actually looking for another play right now with the same producer.