The Perfect Holiday truly is a Christmas family. It's about a divorced mom (Gabrielle Union) whose only wish is for a nice man to pay her a compliment for the holidays. Any guy who's actually paid a girl a compliment knows they'll just protest self-consciously that it's not true. It's even tougher for Union.

Gabrielle Union Enjoys The Perfect Holiday

"There are a lot of people who say things that inside they feel like they're giving you a compliment," explained Union. "Like, 'You look prettier in person.' So you're like, 'So I look like crap on film?' Or 'You look thinner. You look lighter. You look darker. You look this.' And you're like, 'I know inside somewhere you think this is nice, these are nice words.' Or, 'You're really pretty for a black girl.' I get that with the eyebrows raised. 'Like a cheetah. What a nice cheetah. What a pretty black girl. They're not usually like that, you know.' Like 'You're so articulate.' If you just say, 'Oh, you look nice today.' Thank you, yes, I would take that gladly."

Playing a mom was new for Union, and working with the film's children required some practical research. "It's sort of me watching my sister who has three kids, me watching my girlfriend who has three kids and my mom who has three kids, three daughters, all with very distinct personalities and just try to come in and try to be as mother-like-ish-esque as possible. Not having had that experience on my own but sort of trying to treat them all as individuals, like intelligent individuals with very distinct personalities. And they found kids who are not totally seasoned. They're not like trained little seals. A lot of their reactions are real reactions. It's like when the first time they see the Christmas tree, it's like we're in the real mall with other real kids wanting to see Santa and then they want to see Santa. 'Well, you know, we're shooting this, right?' But a lot of their reactions are real. They're not these seasoned Hollywood kids, so they're actually real, great, well behaved children."

The Perfect Holiday

The Perfect Holiday

Queen Latifah produced The Perfect Holiday, and she provided a unique work environment. "A lot of times you end up on a set where you're the only one that looks like you in front of or behind the camera. You say, 'I need somebody who knows how to do my hair.' 'Oh, she knows how to do it.' Does she have a pressing comb that goes in an oven so I don't end up missing patches around my hairline? We've already done that. I'm in a precarious situation here so I don't have the luxury of experiencing. So she's like, 'Oh no, no, we've got you hair and makeup, whatever you need.' Just little things that a lot of people don't think about, she thinks about because she's been there. Not like crazy stuff like wooden scented candles and green skittles, but what do you need so you are comfortable and confident and you're able to put in 12 hours and we can get the best performances out of you. She understands that and she gives us that and she's not crazy. She's not a screamer. She's just Dana and she's El Jefe."

Latifah actually talked Union into the project. "I was literally on the beach in Miami and they were like, 'You want to come work?' We'd been trying to work together for a long time. I was like, 'Oh, I don't want to have kids. Come on. Let's do something else.' She's like, 'I think this is perfect. We haven't seen you like this. I think this is a great opportunity' and I said, 'You're right. Maybe I should step outside my box a little bit and try something a little different.' It was an amazing experience, especially when another actor, just the small thing, certainly as an African American actress."

The Perfect Holiday opens to theaters on December 12th.

For the trailer, poster, stills and more movie info, go to the The Perfect Holiday Movie Page.