Ali Landry on Her Role in ME AGAIN and Real Life

by Angela Walker for ChristianCinema.com

A veteran of many television and film projects, Ali Landry may be most familiar as the "Doritos Girl" from the famous SuperBowl ads. Now you'll see her in PureFlix's latest release ME AGAIN as the wife of a pastor who is having an identity crisis. I talked with Ali about her role in the film, and her real-life roles as a wife and mother, as well as her new passion for supporting other women in their roles.

The PureFlix producers have a gift for engaging actors you wouldn't expect to find in small-budget Christian films. In ME AGAIN, the cast includes Bruce McGillis, Della Reese and Ali Landry, who plays David A.R. White's wife.

I'm On Board!

"The producers came to me with the project and I thought the script was addressing a very serious topic but going about it in a very clever witty way. That was very interesting to me. And it's a family film, so I was definitely on board.

"[What resonated the most with me was that] happiness is a choice, and with God all things are possible. My husband and I have this conversation all the time. We're in this entertainment industry, and we see so many marriages falling apart and we don't know how our marriage would survive without God in it."

Relaxing Set

David A.R. White is a comedian, and his sets have a reputation for being laid-back and relaxed. "ME AGAIN was a very fun, very relaxed and laid-back set. David is a fun guy, and we had a really good time. There was no stress.

"In the beginning, the character switches were confusing. I didn't know if I was supposed to be David, or he was supposed to be me, or what. Shooting these things out of order makes it even more confusing. That's where I really needed the director's help and guidance.

"Once I got it straight who was who in what scene, it got easier. Even then, when I looked at myself in the mirror, I didn't know if I would be seeing myself or seeing him. So when I saw it all together as a completed film, I thought, 'Oh! That's what was happening!' It was surprising to me how it came out, but finally I could see how the characters and scenes fit together. Not all projects are like that, most are pretty clear-cut, but with this film, while we were shooting, I didn't know who was who all the time."

Sending a Message

All films have a message, especially Christian films, and some present the message in a subtle way, others in a way that makes you feel like you're getting hammered. "The message in this film is there, but it's not so glaring and is presented in an entertaining way, which makes it better received." And the message of a film is one of the factors that helps Ali decide if she's going to take a project or not.

"For me, it's the message and story of a film. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Christian film, but if there is a takeaway and people learn something from it, I'm glad to do it.

"There are certain things I do not do. I don't do kissing scenes any more. If that's included in a script, I take a pass or I have a conversation with the director, because those scenes are put in unnecessarily most of the time.

"For me, the most important thing is the message. If I know ultimately people can walk away with hope and some reflection for their own lives, like knowing how to be better people because of this project, because they've learned or grown, that's a powerful thing."

Personal Growth

"In the past four years I really made a shift and now my work reflects what's in my heart. I wouldn't say my relationship with the Lord changed, but the blinders came off and I was very conscious and very aware of the projects I'd be a part of. Before, I'd just do what they told me to do, and whatever came my way was money, it was work, it was great, and I'm on board.

"But I was really seeking out the Lord, and I made a conscious choice to walk through my life fully aware of the choices I was making and what I was putting out there. At one point, because of the limitations I was putting on my agents and managers, I felt like I was completely swimming against the current. But for some reason, I also felt strength in that.

"It forced me to sort of take the reins again. My husband really encouraged me to do that, so I started creating my own projects about things I'm passionate about, and that reflect who I am as a person. That's when I started working really, really hard, like with the television show and the website.

"I feel like one of my callings is supporting other women in whatever place they're in. That's sort of why I've taken the path that I've been on. It's taken a while, but I have to say that I've never felt more content, more at peace in my life. I feel like I'm doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing at this time in my life, and I've never felt that before. That, for me, is very powerful. It's what happens when you surrender.

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