Review of The Perfect Holiday

Nancy (Gabrielle Union) is a divorced mother of three adorable kids, John-John, Mikey and Emily. Her ex is a musical rap star, J-Jizzy (Charles Q. Murphy) and an over-sized bad apple. He rarely comes to visit his children and complains about the child support. So, most of the parenting and care falls to Nancy, who works outside the home, too. As she tells close friends, she would like some guy to just tell her how nice she looks and walk away, no lies or hassles. But, little Emily overhears her and, since its near Christmas, decides to ask Santa for her mother's wish, leading to a "good man" to love. Santa, er, Benjamin (Morris Chestnut) is moonlighting as the mall Kris Kringle, with his close friend and ELF, Jamal (Faison Love), until he can make it as a songwriter. When he spies Nancy, he likes the way she looks and what Emily has told him. After a few days of passing each other at coffee houses and dry cleaners, they finally have an official date. It goes very well. But, soon, there are complications. The oldest boy, John-John, isn't sure he wants his mother to have a new love, being closer to his real father than the others. JJ may be out to create trouble. Then, too, Benjamin is not sure of commitments, although he truly loves Nancy more and more. Add on the possibility that J-Jizzy might hire Benjamin to write some songs, unaware that he is the new boyfriend of his ex, and we have another spanner in the works. Will true love ring in the holidays? This film is adorable and manna from heaven for fans of romantic comedy. The stars are gorgeous and the story is a sweet, humorous gem. Love, especially, is quite amusing. Pile on fantastic costumes, photography, music, and a sure-footed direction and "near-perfect" is an apt adjective for the flick. Don't let the next big holiday pass without finding time to sit down for a viewing.