The Perfect Holiday Release
Date: December 12, 2007 Studio: Yari Film Group Director: Lance Rivera Screenwriter: Lance Rivera, Marc Calixte Starring: Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Queen Latifah, Terrence
Howard, Malik Hammond, Charlie Murphy, Faizon Love, Jeremy Gumbs, Jill Marie
Jones, Rachel True Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance MPAA Rating: PG (for brief language and some suggestive humor) Official Website:
ThePerfectHolidaymovie.com
Plot Summary: The first African American ensemble comedy for the
Christmas season, "The Perfect Holiday" stars Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut,
Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Malik Hammond, Charlie Murphy, Faizon Love,
Jeremy Gumbs, Jill Marie Jones, and Rachel True. An African American take on the
classic and beloved Christmas family film, "The Perfect Holiday" tells the story
of Nancy (Union), a divorced mother of three who is so busy raising her children
that she's forgotten to take care of herself as well. With Christmas fast
approaching, she decides to take her kids to the mall to meet Santa Claus, not
knowing that her youngest daughter Emily (Khail Bryant) has sensed her mother's
sadness and is determined to use her time with Santa to make her mom happy
again. Just a few days prior, Emily heard her mom say that all she wanted for
Christmas was a compliment from a man, so that's exactly what she tells Santa.
Ironically, Santa, as it turns out, is office supply salesman and struggling
songwriter Benjamin (Chestnut), who ends up giving Nancy just what she wants for
Christmas, and much, much more.
EN 5 Second Review:
Not bad, but also not really good. I will be much
happier when all movies dont have to have an "African-American" update
mentioned in the studios descriptions. The movie feels as forced in some
ways as the description, yet in some ways it is still an endearing film.
The
messages here are what you'd expect: Love your family. Don't be selfish.
Don't tell lies. Have a happy holiday. Christmas doesn't have to be
perfect to entertain you. Just like this movie Connie Ogle: Miami Herald
Watching The Perfect Holiday is a lot like getting
socks for Christmas: Better than finding coal in your stocking but not
exactly as thrilling as unwrapping a big-screen HDTV....more
There's
a lot of sap in this Christmas tree John Anderson: Variety
The self-proclaimed "first African-American ensemble comedy"
of the season (despite following November hit
"This Christmas"), helmer Lance Rivera's romance "The
Perfect Holiday" is neither perfect nor much of a holiday,
more like a fruitcake passed around from arthritic aunt to
demented uncle -- stale, predictable and made with
fossilized ingredients...more
EN 5 Second Review:
Not bad, but also not really good. I will be much
happier when all movies dont have to have an "African-American" update
mentioned in the studios descriptions. The movie feels as forced in some
ways as the description, yet in some ways it is still an endearing film.