Tia Mowry-Hardrict talks Baggage ClaimPosted by Wilson Morales
September 24, 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 Mowry-Hardrict, who plays a scorned woman named Janine, the film can also be seen as her film debut. Aside from a small role in 2002’s ‘The Hot Chick,’ the German born native has been a TV veteran for years, having appeared with her twin sister Tamera in the sitcom Sister, Sister, and then on the comedy-drama series The Game. Currently, she’s on the new Nick at Nite comedy series Instant Mom alongside Michael Boatman and Sheryl Lee Ralph. She also serves as a producer on the show.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Mowry-Hardrict talks about her character, her new series, and her guiding light, husband Cory Hardrict and son Cree.
How would you best describe Janine?
Tia Mowry-Hardrict: I did not think that my role would have the impact that it’s having now with viewers who have seen the film already. I would describe Janine as crazy. I think she’s crazy but I think she says the things that women could say or do. I think she is a very relatable character and a lot of women don’t want to admit that. That they can go there when they feel betrayed on or when they feel, whomever they have been dating has been dishonest. Women put a lot into relationships. We give a lot. I just myself in that situation and I took it further with the fact that I’m a mom and I’ve birthed this child. I had a caesarian. I remember when my son was coming out, for the women who had to do this alone and by themselves, to give birth to a child and a man is not present, I took all of that energy and was like, “Hell No! After all I did for you.” It’s the same thing with the character Damon (played by Trey Songz) is doing. He’s using my house. Some women give men their all and with that said, Janine is crazy and deranged, but she is the woman that a lot of women can relate to. Everybody’s been cheated on and have gone buck wild or wish they had.
In some ways, this is your first big film. Not many can say that they remembered you in ‘The Hot Chick’ years ago.
Mowry-Hardrict: Yes, that was so long ago. Here’s a back-story for you. I auditioned for this part, and although it was small part, I approached it with humility. I told myself that I would go in there and I would kill it. This is something that I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to get into film. It’s been a dream of mine. It really has. David (Talbert) called me and told me that I got the part and that I did a great job but he wanted me to choose between two roles. He said either I wanted to play Christina Milian’s role or Janine. I told him I would go for Janine. I want to do something that people are not used to seeing me do or thought that I couldn’t necessarily do. I love a big challenge. I feel very grateful that people are paying attention and noticed that scene. I feel proud to have been part of a great film with a great cast, with all the handsome actors in the business. Do I feel that I have arrived? Not yet, but I feel that I’m ready for the challenge and I’m ready to take that journey and do more. I had so much fun. With television, it’s great, but you can only go so far. Even with ‘Instant Mom,’ I was doing this one scene where I was feeling dejected and I started to cry and they were like, “No Tia, you don’t have to cry.” “Really? But that’s what I’m feeling right now.” You can’t go there and I think that’s what I love about film. You can be so raw and they allow you to go there and that’s what I love about doing film.
Was there a time during production where you got together with the whole cast?
Mowry-Hardrict: There was one point where some of the actors got together at a dinner but it’s hard to get everyone together when people are doing other things and films and stuff like that. No, until the press day, we didn’t get together before. I did run into Jill and saw Paula and Trey, but that’s it.
Was any part of your scene ad-libbed?
Mowry-Hardrict: Most of the stuff that’s coming out of my mouth is all ab-libbed. It was coming from the guy and of course, David is throwing things at me to say but that what I love about him. He’s an actor’s director. He’s a writer. He’s all of it and he’s able to get into the scene and understand the character and where the character is coming from and make what you’re giving even better. Not only that but allowing the actor to play and have fun. You weren’t married to the lines and married to the script. I love doing stuff like that, where whatever you’re feeling, you can say it.
This story is about friendship, being friends before lovers, and meeting someone and taking it from there.
Mowry-Hardrict: I honestly think and I can only speak from experience. I think all good, healthy relationships when they are based on friendship. I think relationships can be a roller coaster and it’s a journey. You go up and down and up and down. When you are in those down periods, you have to lean on being best friends. You can’t lean on being lovers. That foundation is when you have that friendship and that best friend quality to your relationship. Not only that, but relationships aren’t all about sex. You are going through life together and it’s a journey. You need to help each other out with certain things. You’re paying bills, and you’re raising a child together and building each other up with your careers. I don’t feel that if it’s just based on sex, it’s going to bring anything to the relationship. You have to be really good friends with that person.
How’s ‘Instant Mom’ going?
Mowry-Hardrict: Amazing. It’s going so great, it’s scary. Then again, we have three veterans on our show. We have Michael Boatman, who’s been on several television shows. We have Sheryl Lee Ralph, who is incredible, and then myself. We also have great show runners and these kids are so incredibly talented. Everyone’s seasoned. It’s going very well and I’m having a lot of fun. I’m also an executive on the show and it feels nice to some sense of control in what you are doing. To be in this business for a long time, it’s nice to get a little bit of that payoff.
With this film and the series, will you have time to do another film?
Mowry-Hardrict: Yes. I will definitely make time for that. I love doing films and I believe in being able to do it all. You only get one shot on this earth and why not try to go after everything you dreamed about. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
What keeps you grounded?
Mowry-Hardrict: If it weren’t for my husband, who is my biggest supporter, I don’t know where I would be or what I would do. Every decision I make, I go to him first and we just get each other. We are our number one supporters, number one encouragers, and my son is what motivates me and drives me. Not only drives me to continue what I’m doing and be good at it, but drives me to be a better person. I feel very, very blessed.
What’s a good reason to see ‘Baggage Claim’?
Mowry-Hardrict: ‘Baggage Claim’ is about a woman who is searching for love and hope in love. There’s a quote that says, “The greatest thing in the world is to be loved” and that’s what she’s searching for. She’s searching for the greatest thing in the world and that’s love, but true love. Where is that? Does it start with someone else making you feel loved or does it start with yourself? That’s the journey that she’s on. That’s what everyone is looking for. Everyone needs love.
