Exclusive: Jill Scott talks Baggage ClaimBy Wilson Morales
September 20, 2013
Coming out on September 27 is David E. Talbert’s romantic comedy, ‘Baggage Claim,’ starring Paula Patton, Derek Luke, Taye Diggs, Jill Scott, Boris Kodjoe, Tremaine Neverson, Adam Brody, Jenifer Lewis, Ned Beatty, Lauren London, Tia Mowry, La La Anthony, Christina Milian, Affion Crockett, Terrence J, Rickey Smiley, and Djimon Hounsou.
Determined to get engaged before her youngest sister’s wedding, flight attendant Montana Moore (Paula Patton) finds herself with only 30 days to find Mr. Right. Using her airline connections to “accidentally” meet up with eligible ex-boyfriends and scour for potential candidates, she racks up more than 30,000 miles and countless comedic encounters, all the while searching for the perfect guy.
For Scott, who plays flight attendant Gail Best, the Philadelphia native gets to flex her talent by displaying some comedic chops we haven’t seen before. Known for her serious roles in “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?” and its sequel, as well as her short-lived TV series,”The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” and more recently, Lifetime’s remake of “Steel Magnolias,” being in a light-hearted film like “Baggage Claim” is a new experience for her.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Scott goes over her character, working with David Talbert and the cast, and what’s next with her music career.
How would you best describe Gail Best?
Jill Scott: Gail Best is feisty. She is flirtatious. She’s confident. She’s sort of a man-eater and enjoys it.
Did you know you had the comedic chops to pull off what your character does in the film?
JS: I don’t know if I ever really thought about it. I never did a comedy before but I hang around with comedians often and they laugh at me, with me, and whatever. I think I can do anything; so I will put my best foot forward and make the effort. If I can’t do it, it’s not going to be from a lack of trying.
How was working with David and how did he let work with the character as opposed to what was on the page?
JS: A lot of that was actually written but most of my adlibs were physical adlibs, whether it was a gesture, a look, a kick or a punch. That was my stuff, but I used what he gave me and delivered it as I thought Gail would. There was some adlibbing but most if it was physical.
Had you read the book prior to taking on the film?
JS: No, I had not read the book, just the script; but I knew I could work with David because I saw his play, ‘Suddenly Single,’ and I thought that was so well done. I thought the actors were magnificent and I don’t normally watch plays that are adapted to television. I rather be there. Normally, to me, they are not that good. This was great acting with no singing.
How was working with Paula and Adam?
JS: Paula taught me a lot. I learned about another level of work ethic because she’s literally in every frame of this movie and I have to give her so much respect and credit for being able to hold up as long as she did with so many different characters. She’s literally acting with someone new every day. That’s a lot. Most times you are at least acting with the same person a couple of times, a week at least. She was with everyone and still maintained that character, so I give her a lot of credit for that. Adam is really smart and I had a lot of fun with him. I enjoyed his company and we talked about everything from relationships to politics. He’s really cool.
Was there a point during filming where David got the whole cast together?
JS: No. There really wasn’t any time. I bumped into La La (Anthony) in the parking lot. I saw Tia (Mowry) in the parking lot at the circus. The only time we saw each other was on the way to or coming from, and it was quick. I saw Derek at lunch and got really cool with him and his wife. I’m working him later on another project. I didn’t realize so many people were in the film. I didn’t see Trey Songz until we were doing the ADRs. I saw the car that Djimon was in before I saw Djimon and that car was banging. “Who’s car is this?”
This film deals with the relationships between friends and lovers. Can a relationship work if you’re friends for a good period?
JS: I honestly think it’s best to friends first but I think that even with that in mind, you have choose your mate based on a big array of your questions. Sincerely, you have to ask yourself if you are really attracted to this person because if you are not, eventually there’s going to be a problem. If you are not physically or sincerely attracted overall to the person, through their spirit, intellect, or physicality, mentality, then you’re going to have problems. I would definitely say that you should be friends first. People say that your outer appearance will fade or your bank account will go in different directions and all of those things, but it has to be more than friendship. I married my best friend and when life changed for us, I think we changed in two different directions. These things will occur so it has to be more than being a good friend. You have to really meet each other on a metaphysical level in order to grow. Even if it’s in different directions, you’re doing it together. That’s the trick. Love is the most complex, simple thing that I have ever been involved in.
What makes you decided on what film to do?
JS: It’s the director, it’s the role, it’s the cast, and it’s the writing, first and foremost. I want to read and see the person inside these words. I’m a lover of words. I’m looking for that. It has to be water to swim in, not just paper lying flat on the table. I’m looking for real writers that paint pictures of people and a director that will allow me find it. I love when a director tweaks it because that’s exciting.
What’s next on the music front?
JS: It’s a slow process. I thought it would be a lot quicker than it actually is, but I realized that I’m a wood burning oven. I’m still chopping the wood, and I have to carry the wood back to the house. It’s a longer process. It’s tough to put an album together, in general, because there is so much to say, and unfortunately, I’m in the capacity to make any genre of music, which makes it more of a challenge to make something cohesive. It’s a jazz album, blues, album, or classical album. It has to be a combination of all these things and it has to make sense because I love what I do and it matters what I put out. I ask for folks to be patient. When it’s ready and all cooked, I’ll let you know.
