Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 04/07/23
Jesse Metcalfe talks about his heroic role in On a Wing and a Prayer landing today on Amazon Prime Video. The prolific actor plays Kari Sorenson, the real-life pilot who on Easter Sunday, 2009 talked down Doug and Terri White (played by Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham) as they were forced to land a small twin-engine Beechcraft Super King Air 200 following the sudden death of the plane’s pilot. You can read my previous conversation with Doug White and producer Roma Downeyhere. My mini-review of the film follows my conversation with Jesse.
JWK: What drew you to this project?
Jesse Metcalfe: I was lucky enough to be offered the role. I read the script. I felt the script was exceptional. I liked the idea that it was based on a true story. I thought that my character, Kari Sorenson’s, emotional arc in the script was really well defined (and) something that I could sink my teeth into as an actor. You know, I embarked on this incredible journey. I also reunited with (director) Sean McNamara who I had work with on a television series on the Hallmark Channel. So, I knew how talented he was. I just thought all the pieces were in place for a successful project.
JWK: Did you meet the actual people involved in the real-life event?
JM: No, I haven’t. I never met any of them. I know that both Dennis and Heather were able to talk to Doug and Terri White but I have yet to talk to Kari Sorenson. I look forward to speaking with him (and) getting his reaction to the film (and) my performance. I hope it meets his expectations – but, no, I never got the opportunity to talk to Kari.
JWK: What is it about his character that you found interesting?
JM: I liked the idea that he had some emotional baggage, that he had some trauma from his past that was causing him trouble in his romantic relationship, that he wasn’t really able to open up emotionally. I think he’s sort of a man of the old guard – much like Doug White, Dennis Quaid’s character…(To pilot a plane) I think you have to be strong. You have to be able to control your emotions (and) compartmentalize your emotions because a lot of people’s lives are in your hands when you’re a pilot. So, on the one hand, the ability to be able to do that is a positive thing but, on the other hand, you might find it difficult to express yourself at times. I think that’s what Kari was going through. Being able to be a part of saving the White family was sort of a cathartic experience for him. It allowed him to heal the wounds of his past and be more present.
JWK: What do you hope people take from the movie? What did you take from the story?
JM: I mean it’s a miraculous story. Kari Sorenson was quoted as saying that the White family had less than a five percent chance of landing the plane successfully and surviving. So, it truly is a miracle. I like the message that a lot of people came together to make that miracle happen. It’s one thing to have faith but it’s another thing to have faith in the people around you, the people closest to you – to lean on them and to express your deepest, darkest fears to them and allow them to help you because no man is an island. Not only is it important to believe in something greater than yourself – and that is faith – but it’s also important to believe in the people who love you the most. I think a lot of times people just try to go through things on their own. They don’t want to reveal their fears or their vulnerabilities. I think that’s a very central message in this movie.
JWK: The movie also kinda shows the best in people.
JM: Yes, absolutely.
JWK: I also think the movie says something about appreciating every day. I mean Doug White’s brother died suddenly and then the pilot dies suddenly and then he and his family are suddenly facing the prospect of their own deaths.
JM: It’s a very life-affirming film.
JWK: You’ve done several TV series, including Desperate Housewives, the TNT revival of Dallas and Chesapeake Shores for Hallmark Channel. How do you compare doing a movie with doing a TV series?
JM: There are a lot of differences. You get to explore your character every week on a TV series. You ever hear the saying that “Theater is an actor’s medium, television is a producer’s medium and film is a director’s medium”? I think they say that because most of the central decision making is made by that particular person in each different (medium). I like to work closely with a director on my acting choices (and) my performance. That’s what film allows you to do. Often times in television your performance can be dictated by the producer of that series – also known as the showrunner. So, it’s just a different way of doing things. There’s a different hierarchy in each medium. I hate to have to talk about something as boring as a hierarchy in an artistic medium but that’s just kinda the way it is. I approach every character with my same technique as an actor. That doesn’t change for me but the people that you’re collaborating closest with that’s what seems to change.
JWK: Speaking of directing, do you have any bent to go in that direction?
JM: Well, I went to New York University Tisch School of the Arts for writing and directing for film. So, I do believe that I would like to direct at some point. One thing that I have learned after 24 years in the business is that directing is probably the most challenging job of them all. You know, you’re the first person on set (and) the last person to leave. You’re up all night, if you’re a serious director, putting your shotlist together (and) working on various things. It’s a lot of work. So, to direct full time? I don’t know if that’s something I want to do – but I would like to direct at some point, possibly a passion project. If anything, I’d lean more towards producing and bringing more stories that I believe need to be told to the screen.
JWK: What kind of stories would they be?
JM: That’s a great question! I like emotional stories. I like to really move people. Some people are passionate about making people laugh. Some people are passionate about thrillers and action. I’m an emotional guy. I like my performances in the stories that I’m a part to have a certain emotional resonance to them.
JWK: Present movie excepted, do you have a favorite role that you’ve played?
JM: No. I don’t have a favorite role. I like to think that my best roles are ahead of me.
JWK: In terms of movies and TV shows, what do you like to watch as a viewer?
JM: I like family dramas. I really love mobster movies. I really feel like they’re family dramas mixed with action. They tend to have a lot of anti-heroes in them which I find interesting. I find taking flawed characters and redeeming them to be interesting.
JWK: So, what’s ahead for you?
JM: Honestly, I don’t really know. I’m going to continue promoting On a Wing and a Prayer. I also have two other independent films coming out this year. One’s called The Comic Shopwhich is about a disgruntled alcoholic comic book shop owner in Las Vegas. It’s sort of Kevin Smith-esque. And then I have another film called The Latin from Manhattan that actually just announced on Deadline that Snoop Dogg came on as a producer and also the music supervisor – and, I think, he’s going to have a role in the film. So, hopefully, that will be completed this year and people can see it because I’ve screened some early renditions of the film and it’s really good. I’m really hoping we can get that out to audiences before the end of the year.
JWK: Would you do another TV series?
JM: Yeah. I’m open to another TV series, definitely.
JWK: Anything else you’d like to say as we wrap up?
JM: Just please tune into On a Wing and a Prayer this Easter weekend on Prime Video.
My mini-review: IMHO, as I stated in my conversation with Jesse, along with an unabashed positive presentation about the power of prayer, On a Wing and a Prayer also reminds audiences of the good in people and value of being grateful for every moment of life. The movie comes off as totally sincere and is certainly suitable for the entire family. It’s earnest tone, however, may be hindered a bit by the plot similarity to one of my all-time favorite movies, the classic absurdist comedy film Airplane! Personally, I couldn’t help but envision Leslie Nielsen appearing in the cockpit behind Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham (both of whom would be perfect in a new edition of the movie) and admonishing them not to call him Shirley. The Bottom Line:On a Wing and a Prayer is a good family film that doesn’t quite soar but doesn’t crash and burn either. It’s worth a watch.
FYI, I’m taking off for two weeks to recharge the battery. Happy Easter and Passover everyone!
John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.
Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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