"THIS CHRISTMAS"
Starring Chris Brown, Delroy Lindo, Loretta Devine, Idris Elba
Released: Nov. 21, 2007

WATCH THE TRAILER

THE FIRST THING that most people probably noticed in the trailer for "This Christmas" was Chris Brown.

Brown is widely known for his singing, dancing, and, yes, his looks. He has appeared in other movies, such as "Stomp the Yard," in which he had a brief 10-minute appearance before his character was killed, outraging many fans.

Heading into theaters to see "This Christmas," his fans no doubt expected Brown's role to be mostly about singing mixed with a bit of acting, and for him not to have a very big part.

So I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out that he plays a main character (Michael "Baby" Whitfield) with an important contribution to the plot.

Yes, his character's secret hidden passion is singing (which he just happens to be wonderful at), and he sings about two songs over the course of one movie, but Brown's acting leaves nothing to be desired.

In "This Christmas," audiences get to see a new side of this talented 18-year-old. He plays an emotional role as the youngest child in a big family, trying to figure out what he is going to do with his life. There is no love lost as he uses his now well-developed acting skills to show the emotional conflicts that his character goes through.

This movie is about the Whitfield family coming together and putting aside its problems for a few days during the holiday. It turns into a time of secrets, confrontations, and uncomfortable truths. The family tries to deal with all of these complications and still manage to have a nice holiday together, but chaos results.

The matriarch of the family, known simply as "Ma'Dere" (Loretta Devine), is living with the man who wants to marry her, Joe Black (Delroy Lindo). On top of that, she has secretly divorced her husband, who abandoned the family to pursue a jazz career.

Ma'Dere is reluctant to tell her oldest child, Quentin (Idris Elba), that she is living with Joe because her son was so attached to his father. But Quentin has his own secret: He owes a bookie $25,000 because of gambling. And, unfortunately for him, they followed him to his mother's house.

The eldest daughter, Lisa (Regina King), is being cheated on by her husband; Kelli (Sharon Leal) is not satisfied with her lonely but well-off life in New York City; and Mel (Lauren London) is trying to make it through college with her new boyfriend.

Claude (Columbus Short) and Baby have the biggest secrets, though. Claude is secretly married, as well as AWOL. And Baby just wants to sing, which would break his mother's heart because she thinks it is the root of all evil. Needless to say, everyone's secret comes out whether they want it to or not.

Brown was not the only thing to like about this movie, though. The rest of the cast, despite lacking in big names, delivered impressive performances. The writing was not the best, and was actually a bit stereotypical and forced at some points, but the overall message of family members going through their “real lives” was a good one.

I did like this movie because it stretched what we normally think of in terms of “wholesome family fun.” It earned its PG-13 rating with swearing, unmarried people living together, fist fights, adultery, secret marriages, and the thing to complete the Christmas atmosphere: armed bookies.

A bit far-fetched? Certainly. However, "This Christmas" still managed to achieve the desired effect of warming the hearts of the audience while keeping them awake.

So no matter if you go to this movie just to see Chris Brown or not, it is easy to enjoy yourself with this fast-paced and — despite some of the plot trappings — often very realistic film.

"This Christmas" is currently playing at the Goodrich Savoy 16 Theatres, 232 W. Burwash, Savoy, and the GKC Beverly 18, 910 Meijers Drive, Champaign.

"This Christmas" AT A GLANCE

• Starring: Chris Brown, Delroy Lindo, Columbus Short, Loretta Devine, Idris Elba
• Directed by: Preston A. Whitmore II
• Written by: Preston A. Whitmore II
• Genre: Comedy/Drama
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 117 min
• Release date: Nov. 21, 2007
• Summary: The Whitfields try to have a nice family holiday while they learn the true meaning of Christmas: drinking, bookies, cheating, one-night stands, and above all, family. This Christmas is sure to be one that they will never forget.
• Now showing: GKC Beverly 18, Goodrich Savoy 16
• Showtimes: Click here
• External sites: IMDb entry, official site
• Gargoyle A&E Hitlist: Click here