This Christmas (2007)

A Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years.

Director:

Preston A. Whitmore II

Writer:

Preston A. Whitmore II

Stars:

Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Columbus Short

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Delroy Lindo	...	Joseph 'Joe' Black
Idris Elba	...	Quentin Whitfield
Loretta Devine	...	Ma'Dere / Shirley Ann Whitfield
Chris Brown	...	Michael 'Baby' Whitfield
Keith Robinson	...	Devean Brooks
Laz Alonso	...	Malcolm Moore
Columbus Short	...	Claude Whitfield
Sharon Leal	...	Kelli Whitfield
Lauren London	...	Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Rosie
Jessica Stroup	...	Sandi
Mekhi Phifer	...	Gerald
Regina King	...	Lisa Moore
David Banner	...	Mo
Ricky Harris	...	Cousin Fred

Storyline

A Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years.

---

Plot Keywords:

suv | car accident | christmas | mother daughter relationship | divorcee | 

---

Taglines:

You can't exchange family.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for comic sexual content and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Családi karácsony

Filming Locations:

St. John's Episcopal Cathedral - 514 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$17,958,183 (USA) (22 November 2007)

Gross:

$49,121,934 (USA) (4 January 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Facilitator Films, Rainforest Films, Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Soul Train Line" at the end of the movie was the actors/actresses themselves dancing, they were not in character.

---

Goofs

In the opening dinner scene, Melanie's boyfriend Devean reveals that he is a pre-law major at Morehouse College. No such major exists at that institution.

---

Quotes

Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield: So, technically, you slept with Santa?
Kelli Whitfield: Well, I didn't know he was Santa at the time... but technically, I guess I did.
Melanie 'Mel' Whitfield: Well, ho, ho, ho!

---

Crazy Credits

The opening Screen Gems logo is bright red and covered in Christmas tree lights.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 24 November 2007 (2007)

---

Soundtracks

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin
Performed by Oscar Peterson
Courtesy of Telarc International Corporation

User Reviews

Good Times and Bad Times

Cons: I despised the movie "Waiting to Exhale" because I think women who destroy a man's property because she's mad that he's cheating on her is not only corny, but it's childish. There was an SUV scene in this movie that was beyond stupid to me, and I turned up my lip in disgust. Then there was another scene that annoyed me about a domestic dispute, but I heard women cheering during that part. For the life of me, I do not understand why ladies think it's funny for a man to be physically abused under ANY circumstances, but if a man does it, then it's wrong. That scene almost made me walk out of the theater because it's so hypocritical.

There were some plot scenes that were a little overused, such as the mother's name, the mother cooking big meals, the couple going through marital issues, and the one son being chased by bookies. After awhile, I started thinking the plot to this movie was a blend of several other movies I've seen. However, it's not like these plots are not common within African American households, so I shrugged and kept watching.

Pros: Chris Brown. Flat out, he made this movie interesting for me. Whereas Columbus Short was the highlight of "Stomp the Yard" and Chris Brown fell to the sidelines, Chris Brown really showed out tremendously within this movie. I liked him as a singer before, but I LOVE him as a singer now. He did a couple of songs within this film, and I've never heard his pipes be so on point. I was impressed and grinned big during every one of his scenes. He's such a great artist no matter what he does: acting, dancing, singing, comedy (he isn't a comedian, but he's hilarious). Other than Chris Brown, there were some stellar actors in this movie like Idris Elba (even with his rough hairstyle); Delroy Lindo (who gets more handsome and charismatic in every single movie I see him in and always an excellent actor); Laz Alonso (who played a jerk to a tea--great job!); Regina King (love her acting generally but did NOT care for her character in this movie at all); Sharon Leal (who I'm seeing more and more--she's such a pretty woman and does a great acting job as well); Keith Robinson (the pantry scene was cute); Lauren London (pretty woman and improving in every single movie she's in, although I think my favorite will always be "ATL"); Loretta Devine (who played a great mother, but I liked her spin with having a man and her own mind; her back story with her ex was a refreshing switch from the usual widow story); and David Banner trying out his acting chops. All of the actors were cool in this film. It was in Chicago, but it was looking awfully warm for the wintertime. I enjoyed the musical parts of the plot and all of the siblings got along. I also appreciated how they flipped the script on the white wife scene (although I won't go into that and ruin the plot).

I enjoyed the film, but those cons are what gave this movie three stars. Other than that, thumbs up.