written by Lacrystal Parker
‘Too Many Christmases’ Delivers A Heartwarming Message About Honesty And Family Acceptance
video interview with cast
We had a chance to sit down with the cast of "Too Many Christmases" while they were on their press tour. I quickly observed early on that the cast had a special chemistry that bonded them together like family which effortlessly translated onto the screen.
The cast shared openly about their own Christmas traditions in the interview and could relate to the movie. They also shared the importance of coming together to be with their love ones for the holidays.
Writer, editor, and producer Clearance Williams, which is not a stranger to writing awesome impactful films, expressed that, Films like Too Many Christmases don’t just entertain—they validate and uplift. Clearance's goal was to challenge viewers to self- reflect, and rethink how they approach the holidays when it comes to our families and traditions.
Comedian and actress Adele Givens, who is known for her legendary comedic chops, plays Darlene, a matriarch who brings laughs, life and heart to the film. I felt her name could of been (Big Momma) as I viewed the movie. lol
Kayla And Jerome’s Holiday Dilemma
‘Too Many Christmases’ Delivers A Heartwarming Message About Honesty And Family Acceptance
The movie brings viewers into the lives of newlyweds Kayla (Porscha Coleman) and Jerome (Denzel Whitaker) and their challenge of trying to balance two separate Black families and two sets of traditions as they try to manage being in two places at once for Christmas. This year, Kayla and Jerome planned to spend their first Christmas as a married couple with Jerome’s family. Kayla’s brother Lee Lee, however, surprises Kayla at her place and lets her know his return home means their family holiday plans are back on.
Neither Kayla nor Jerome want to face the assumed wrath of their families by breaking the news they will not be attending Christmas dinner. To avoid this, the two devise a plan to attend both their families holiday celebrations on the same day at the same time.
As Kayla and Jerome navigate not disappointing their parents by being away for the holiday, Too Many Christmases illustrates how honesty, accepting change, and confrontation can bring a family closer together despite their different perspectives. Kayla and Jerome live out their plan to attend two Christmas celebrations in one day. They try to pull this off without suspecting their family, twists in their plans make it almost impossible to meet their family’s demands.
Breaking barriers in families through love, forgiveness and acceptance
‘Too Many Christmases’ Delivers A Heartwarming Message About Honesty And Family Acceptance
Lee Lee’s grandfather’s is a traditional pastor, who has never agreed with Lee Lee being a queer man. Condemnation and Judgement from for Lee Lee’s grandfather about Lee Lee's identity rolled into Christmas dinner, leading Lee Lee to storm off from their family dinner table. After a heated conversation with Lee Lee's mother about his harness, Pastor Davis begin to try to gain a nonjudgmental of perspective of his grandson's lifestyle and begin to create a safe space for Lee Lee to admit how he was hiding his real self from his family as a child. He felt that he had to act a certain way to be accepted.
This was a very important scene in the movie due to, Alot of families have been torn apart, and family members have been rejected by their families due to the decision to go against family traditions, lifestyle, etc, and what as deemed to be normal from the families perspective. Lee Lee mustard the courage to challenge the bias, condemning, judgement and ridicule from his grandfather. Pastor Davis’ which is a traditional pastor had challenge his own beliefs to save his relationship with his grandson. Lee Lee and his grandfather's love for each other aided their resolve, despite their difference in tradition and lifestyle.
The movie captures the typical Christmas madness, but underneath all the chaos, there's a sweet message about family and what the holiday season is really about. Get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe rethink how you approach the holidays!
Too Many Christmases premiered Thursday, December 12, on BET Plus.
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