November 19, 2007 @ 12:43 pm

This Christmas: Keeping Up with the Whitfields

Linda Hobbs

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Chris Brown, who fittingly plays a character named Baby Whitfield (but not "My Baby Daddy"), discusses his This Christmas role. Plus: Idris Elba, Columbus Short, director Preston Whitmore.

You can expect two things from today's Christmas flicks: a buttery serving of hitch-free family harmony, or slapstick comedy that normally involves a deranged Santa. This Christmas - directed by Preston Whitmore II, and produced by Mekhi Phifer, Ronnie Walker, and Damon Lee - contains neither. Less National Lampoon, more Soul Food, Christmas stars a roster of A-class actors: Loretta Divine, Idris Elba, Delroy Lindo, Columbus Short, Sharon Leal, Lauren London, David Banner, Regina King, Mekhi Phifer, and young R&B romeo Chris Brown - who plays a character named Baby.

"The cast was more like family," says Brown, speaking to VIBE at Los Angeles' W Hotel.  "I do the acting more so so my music can increase [exposure]. Acting gives me a different challenge."

Christmas centers on the Whitfield family, who all come together for the holidays, only to vomit up old wounds, and new secrets. In the end, the family must decide if they want to remain close, or fall out.

"I wanted to write a movie about my family, and pay homage," says Preston Whitmore. "The Loretta Divine character is a reflection of my mother. A lot of the characters in this film is inspired by myself and my family."

Columbus Short, who plays Claude, and says his best Christmas was when he was 17 and had just joined the cast of Stomp ("I was in Hawaii... chilling!") didn't think twice about accepting the opportunity to be a part of the film.

"It was a no-brainer," he says, wearing a baseball cap and stroking stubbles of unshaved facial hair. "I'm an actor who just want to do good work. It was a charming film."

"The script was good," adds Idris Elba, who plays Quentin.

Chris, getting used to the acting life, says that after This Christmas, his dream role is to one day play a Marvel Comic character. "I would like to be Silver Surfer," he laughs.


This Christmas opens on November 21.

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