Harold Perrineau talks The Best Man Holiday Blu-rayBy Wilson Morales
February 11, 2014
Out today is the Blu-ray Combo Pack including Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet of The Best Man Holiday in which a tight-knit group of college friends reunites for the first time in 14 years for an unforgettable celebration.
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the all-new sequel to 1999’s beloved ensemble comedy The Best Man finds all nine friends together again for a reunion packed with laughter, love, and surprises.
The film’s stellar ensemble cast includes Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, Harold Perrineau, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa.
For Perrineau, having played memorable characters on HBO’s Oz, ABC’s Lost, and numerous films, playing Julian Murch is probably the one he’s most recognized for. In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Perrineau talks about the video release and how much fun he had during production.
How excited are you that the film did very well in theaters?
Harold Perrineau: I’m super excited. In fact I’m really excited about the DVD release. I’m going to go buy a bunch of them and send them all around. I liked the film. I feel good when I see it. Parts of it are hard and emotional but the overall feeling that I have after seeing it is always one of great joy. I’m really happy that not only did we have great success in the theater but now you get to take it home with you. That’s one of the great things about the DVD or Blu-ray. You get to sit in your living room with your family and friends and watch it and enjoy and really look at it again.
What’s expected to be on the DVD that wasn’t shown in theaters?
HP: I think the movie will probably be the same. I’m not exactly sure but one of the things that you will get to see on the DVD are behind – the – scenes footage. One of the things that people kept asking about was “How was it like being on the set? ” It was hysterical and so much fun. With the DVD release you will get to see it. It really was a lot of fun. There was a lot of great work being done. We didn’t have a lot of time but we really got it In. It was like having a great meal and you try to enjoy every bite of it.
Prior to shooting the film, did any of you talk to Malcolm about their individual character and if they could add anything to it?
HP: Quite often, there’s always a bit of collaboration especially when you have a cast with the size of our film. Between the director and actor, there is always a discussion so that everyone is on the same page. Most of what you see in the film is the stuff that Malcolm wrote. There were some tweaks in areas but most of what you see is what was written. There were some improvised moments that he found hilarious or really touching that he left in the film.
2013 was a year in which a number of Black films came out and did well, financially and critically. How happy are you that this film was a part of that?
HP: I was really excited about last year in which so many actors and directors and films were recognized. This is the one one thing that I haven’t talked about as much. Usually there aren’t that many films with African American actors in which folks think are good. They usually count one or two films, but last year they were saying that there were too many good films. It was really something nice to be hopeful about in the future.
From your role on Oz to Lost to the films you have done, where do you rank Murch?
HP: He’s right up there at the top. One of the things I feel about The Best Man is that the film is revolutionary in the fact that these are just people that Malcolm knows; these are people that have lives and children and friendships, good times and bad times. These are just a bunch of these people that resonated with others and we don’t get to see this as much in other films. We have an American film talking about American themes, and with The Best Man Franchise, you don’t see these films. Other films try to have to some sort of crazy message, but this is a film that just has American people living American lives. It’s a country I love being a part of. Murch gets to say things you don’t normally see in films.
If Malcolm gave you to option to write Murch’s timeline for the next film, what would you do?
HP: I would say to not to ask me. I think I’m a pretty good actor, but I’m a terrible writer. I would tell Malcolm to write wherever he thinks Murch should go and leave it at that.
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