By: debbie lynn elias
With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas less than two weeks ago, its’s been rather slim pickings at the box office for those of us looking for a “real” holiday or Christmas movie. Not “Santa Clause” nor even an “Elf”, to brighten the spirits of one’s holiday self. Not even a “Grinch” or a “Scrooge” can be found, to jingle the slightest holiday sound. But thanks to the Queen (Latifah, that is), she brings us the perfect holiday gift. A formula that may be tried and true, but one guaranteed to bring out the best in you. Wrapped up with a bow and on the big screen, THE PERFECT HOLIDAY just waits to be seen.
That’s right, it finally now feels like the holidays are here as a most unusual collection of talent, both in front of and behind the camera, bring us a story fostered by writer/director Lance Rivera three years in the making with THE PERFECT HOLIDAY.
Mrs. Christmas likes nothing better than…well, Christmas. And for her, tasting that first snowflake of the season is all it takes to put her in the holiday mood. But for others, like Nancy, it takes a lot more than snowflakes to make her holidays bright. A single mother of three, Nancy should be on top of the world. Her ex-husband, J-Jizzy, is the most successful rap artist in the country. She has a nice home. Devoted friends. And three children who love her to the moon and back. But running a household, being a “Mom” taxi, working, cooking, cleaning, and dealing with the rigors of a publicity hungry ex-husband who doesn’t have time for his kids unless it benefits him publicly, can be a bit tiring and exasperating. And so, Nancy does have one Christmas wish for herself – a compliment. That’s right. Just a simple compliment from a guy. A compliment meant just for her.
Benjamin is a struggling songwriter with a heart of gold. No kindness is too small. No request too large. Hardworking, he takes odd jobs to earn a living and at this time of year, he has the best job of all – playing Santa Claus in the local mall.
Wanting nothing more than to make her mommy smile for Christmas, little Emily gets an inspired idea – ask Santa to bring Mommy her compliment. And of course, what Santa does she ask for her Christmas wish? (Come on, you know this one.) Why Benjamin, of course. But Santa gets his own ideas once he sees Nancy. A more beautiful woman he would never see, so it makes it very easy for him to grant this Christmas wish as he appoints himself the man to deliver Nancy’s compliment. And once Nancy’s heart and head are sent spinning, her friends determine to give Nancy more than just a compliment for Christmas; they set out to find the man who paid it and deliver him to her gift-wrapped with a bow.
So thanks to a little Christmas magic compliments of Mrs. Christmas and a few perfectly placed sprigs of mistletoe, Nancy’s family Christmas looks like it may be filled with just a little more love than she bargained for. But wait a minute! Rewind. We forgot about John-John, Nancy’s eldest son who at age 10 not only envisions himself as man of the family but sees his mom and dad getting back together. And of course, there’s also J-Jizzy who is about to launch his own “rap” Christmas album and needs his kids with him on Christmas Day for the launch party looking as 1970’s sunshine day satin and polyester as possible. Christmas may not be looking so Christmasy after all.
Gabrielle Union stars as Nancy and trust me when I say I have never met a more flawless perfect beauty than she both on the inside and out. Exquisite in real life, she radiates on screen. By her own admission, being only a doting aunt who can writes checks, she had no idea how to tackle this character. So, she did what anyone would do – she asked her mother. “We were in the kitchen and I was watching my mom cooking and doing dishes and I was telling her about the part. And then I got to the fact that Nancy’s wish was for a compliment. And my mother just sighed and said how much she would like a compliment. So that’s how I approached Nancy. Like watching my mom raising us.” Union’s 100 watt smile will rival the brightness of any Christmas star and you feel and see her heart in her performance.
A four time film pairing with Gabrielle Union made it a “no brainer” when casting Morris Chestnut as Benjamin. The two are more than believable as a couple and Chestnut is content to stand back and let Union shine in every scene. With unbridled unabashed aplomb, Charlie Q. Murphy steals the show as rapper J-Jizzy. He takes arrogance and obnoxiousness to new heights but does so with an added level of fun and redemption. And as I promised him, please note that every bit of bling being worn by Jizzy is from Murphy’s personal jewelry collection. Known for his typically raunchy humor on “The Chappelle Show”, here Katt Williams gives a toned down sedate and likeable turn as J-Jizzy’s manager, Delicious. Himself a father of 8 children, 7 of whom are adopted, Williams prides himself in doing enough projects to “give my own children something that they could watch that their daddy was in that does not have the word controversy attached. This was a hands down no brainer. No way that you could look at the cast and then read the script and then go ‘I think I’m gonna pass.’ I was very happy to do this one.” As the audience, we are the better for his decision. Jill Marie Jones and Rachel True are more than likeable as Nancy’s best friends and support group, Robin and Brenda, and their on screen chemistry and friendship is such that you would welcome them into your own life as friends.
Serving as a very hand-on executive producer and as the narrator, Mrs. Christmas, Queen Latifah is enchanting with a calming tender voice that is so maternal and warm-hearted, particularly for young children. And her smile…when she smiles, she lights up the screen with a glow that doesn’t require special effects.
Known best as co-founder of Untertainment Records with Notorious BIG, Lance Rivera steps into new family friendly territory here and does so with heart and integrity. Although predictable, and with a few holes in the story, and particularly some ill-placed appearances of Terrence Howard as the anti-holiday “Bah Humbug”, Rivera stays true to his message of hearth, home and family, something that is very important to him. “I wanted to make a film that I can watch with my family and that can be passed down to their families. A tradition year after year.” There is a sweetness and kindness that permeates the film with a charm and warmth not often found or felt. Short on special effects but long on heart, with relatable and likeable characters and situations that are lifted from our own living rooms, this is a family oriented film for the ages. Not just a film that I would I take all of my nephews to see, but one that would bring a smile to my grandmother’s face were she here watching it, THE PERFECT HOLIDAY is the perfect holiday film.
Nancy – Gabrielle Union Benjamin – Morris Chestnut J-Jizzy – Charlie Q. Murphy Delicious – Katt Williams Mrs. Christmas – Queen Latifah
Directed by Lance Rivera. Written by Lance Rivera, Marc Calixte, Nat Mauldin and Jeff Stein based on a story by Lance Rivera and Marc Calixte. Rated PG (96 min)
