If there was an African American actor who has had more roles amongst his peers, other than Will Smith and Cuba Gooding Jr., I would have to say that it's Morris Chestnut. From his role in 'Boyz n the Hood' to 'The Best Man' to 'Two Can Play That Game', Chestnut has played all sorts of roles, including being the villain in 'Half Past Dead', but he hadn't done a holiday movie or a family film since he did 'Like Mike' back in 2002 opposite Bow Wow.
That will change now since his latest film reunites him with Gabrielle Union. Together they had worked on 'The Brothers' and 'Breakin' All The Rules' and now they are in 'The Perfect Holiday'.
'The Perfect Holiday', which also features Faizon Love, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Jill Marie Jones, and Katt Williams, opens on December 12.
The Perfect Holiday' is a heart-warming holiday story of Nancy (Union), a loving single mother of three who falls for Benjamin (Chestnut), a talented but struggling songwriter who is working part-time as a mall Santa. Conflicts arise when her oldest son, 10 year old John-John, convinces his younger brother and sister to join him in mischievous plots and schemes against their mother's new boyfriend in the hopes that she will reunite with his hero - their rap-mogul father J-Jizzy (Charlie Murphy). Being narrated by Queen Latifah in a magical role of "Mother Christmas" opposite Terrence Howard, who plays a hard-to-dislike Scrooge-ish character named "Bah-Humbug", 'The Perfect Holiday' successfully brings together all the elements that will make this a Holiday Classic.
In speaking with Chestnut, he talks about doing a holiday film, working with Union again, and his experience on doing the stage play last year.
What attracted you to do a Christmas film?
Morris Chestnut: I had never done a holiday movie before, and when I read the script I initially responded to the script, and then I thought it would be great to be part of a movie, if executed right, every Christmas time people would break out and watch it with the family like 'It's a Wonderful Life' or something like that. I thought this is my opportunity to be a part something like that.
With your character being a musician, can you actually play instruments?
MC: Am I musically inclined? No, negative. I wish I was. My father was a singer but I didn't inherit any of those traits.
So you can't carry a tune?
MC: No. Not to save my life.
What about that world? Did you sort relate to that character? As he was struggling to sell himself as a musician, isn't it the same way for an actor?
MC: Exactly. I related to the character from a struggling artist perspective. The entertainment industry is difficult. You have your ups and your downs but this took me back to a time where I was really struggling to my 'big break' and once that happens, how do you deal with it. The thing about when you are a struggling artist, a lot of situations and scenarios come up where you get your big break, but you don't really know if it's your big break or not. So I can definitely relate with the character.I'm still waiting for my break.
Isn't it better to have a big break than to always be waiting for one?
MC: Well, it depends. I'm joking. 'Boyz N the Hood' was a big break. I was in a movie with a bunch of people that no one knew and after the movie came out, everyone was familiar. It's tough to be a struggling artist because it's a small percentage that work consistently.
This is another reunion for you and Gabrielle. What's that feeling like of working with a close friend again?
MC: Yes. We have worked together several times. We did a film called 'The Brothers' many years ago and we also did 'Two Can Play That Game' and the thing about working with Gabrielle, aside from her obvious talent and her obvious good looks, is that she is a good person. When you are working with someone for 12 to 14 hour days, you want to be around people you enjoy being around with and she's that type of person.
What was it like working with Charlie (Murphy) and Katt (Williams)?
MC: It was interesting. When I was working on this movie, Katt was like a different person. If you ever saw his stand up shows, then you'll know why. His character was not Katt Williams. It was an interesting dynamic to see them on set and how they worked with each other. Charlie had the more showier role and Katt being more reserved but it was fun. Working with Faizon (Love), every line was something different in every take. It was fun.
Have you ever dressed up as Santa Claus before?
MC: No. That was my first and it will be my last. It was touch. We shot this movie in Nee Jersey during the summertime and not only was it the summer, it was record heat that summer, and to be in that suit with 110 degrees outside was not funny.
Although you and he are not seen together in the film, you and Terrence Howard are also reuniting again since 'The Best Man'.
MC: Yes. He was in a scene after Gabrielle and I left the scene. It's funny because I always felt that Terrence is one of the best actors out there and he came to my trailer after the first day of work and we talked and reminisced about being on 'The Best Man'. I'm proud of him. I'm glad he's doing what he's doing.
Do you have a favorite holiday memory?
MC: I do have a favorite Christmas memory. My kids can't relate to this because my wife gets them everything they want, and even the stuff they don't want, she gets them. When I was growing up, I never got everything I wanted for Christmas. I would put ten things down on a Christmas list and I would get two and so, in that anticipation of Christmas time, and putting together a list and not certain of what I was going to get, that was fun for you because I was looking forward to see what I would get. Imagine when you wake up and you see a box and assume it's the race car you wanted, and it's something else. I remember one particular Christmas where my brother and I went to this mall where this bike was there. We had bikes at the time but they were old and beaten up, and so we wanted these bikes, and wasn't sure if we would get them, although it was on the list. I never forget but we woke up probably around 3 o'clock in the morning and the bikes were there and my brother and I took the bikes outside and riding them in the back yard in the mud. We were so excited and I remember that very strongly.
Why should anyone go see 'The Perfect Holiday'?
MC: You should go see 'The Perfect Holiday' because it's a fun family movie that the whole family can enjoy. You can bring a child from 0 to 18 and even adults can relate to it. It's feel good movie about anyone.
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