December 12, 2007 @ 11:53 am

The Perfect Holiday: Morris Chestnut

by: Natalie Guevara

Chestnut dons his Santa garb and chats about his role in The Perfect Holiday. 

A soft-spoken gentleman, Morris Chestnut is a natural fit for the role of Benjamin, a nice guy determined to fulfill his lofty music ambitions even though he suffers through a part-time job as a mall Santa in the process. Chestnut spills on donning the jolly old man's threads in the New Jersey heat, working with Gabrielle Union for the fourth time, and reflects on the opportunities for African American actors in Hollywood.

This is a different role for you, to say the least. Was playing Santa Claus a challenge?
You know, the most challenging part was putting that suit on everyday in 110-degree weather. (Laughs) You know, it was fun to play the role. I've never played Santa before, but the opportunity to be involved in a great Hollywood Christmas movie was what really drew me to the project.

You have played opposite Gabrielle Union many times. What was it like, reunited for The Perfect Holiday?
You know, it was great. The thing about working with Gabrielle – aside from she's extremely talented and an attractive woman and all that – is that I think she's a good person, and when you're spending 12- to 14-hour days on a movie set, you want to be around people you can trust and good people you enjoy being around, and I think that's why we work so well together.

You play a struggling R&B singer in the film. Was that really you singing?
Nah man, if that was me really singing people wouldn't come to the movie! (Laughs) It wasn't me. I wish I could sing - that's something I've never been able to do and never will be - 'cuz I have so much respect for singers and songwriters. Just to be able to express yourself and your emotions in that way, in such a melodic way, I just have such an appreciation for that.

Who did your singing parts in the film?
I don't remember his name. I believe he was in a music group called City High, back in the day.

There's a saying in the industry: "Never work with children or animals, because they will always upstage you." Did you find that to be true working on this film?
Well, I don't have a problem being upstaged 'cuz I'm not egotistical like that (laughs), but, you know, in this film, I thought the kids did a great job. I've heard the saying "Don't work with animals or children," but these kids we had I think did a great job. There were a few times when they had problems focusing and getting their lines together, but there's times when I had problems focusing and getting my lines together, so it was just a great experience. It wasn't negative at all working with the kids.

From films like Boyz n the Hood to Two Can Play That Game to The Perfect Holiday, how do you feel you've progressed as an actor?
Not well enough! (Laughs) You know, it's funny because I've enjoyed most of the projects I've worked on. Some have been hits, some haven't been hits, but the thing about it is, Hollywood never sets out to make a bad movie, you know? It's easy to make a bad movie and it's hard to make a good movie. That's why the majority of the films that come out are not successful, are not hits. So, I would like to think I progressed a little bit in making different types of choices.

It seems like the opportunities for black male actors have grown since you did Boyz n the Hood.
Yeah, the opportunities have definitely increased. When I did Boyz n the Hood, Denzel was pretty much the only cat out there that was really doing it, but since then you have Denzel, you have Will, you have Jamie, so I do think the opportunities have increased. With every small opportunity, [these actors] have taken advantage of them and they've proven to Hollywood they're bankable entities and people want to see them.

What kind of experience can viewers expect when they see The Perfect Holiday?
When viewers see The Perfect Holiday they're gonna see a movie they can take the whole family to see. It's the feelgood holiday movie, in my opinion, of this year. They're gonna be able to have fun, they're gonna be able to laugh, some people may cry, and they're going to enjoy a good story.

Article tags: Morris Chestnut, The Perfect Holiday 

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