Hav Plenty
Encyclopedia
Hav Plenty is a 1997
American independent film released by Miramax Films
, based on an eventful weekend in the life of Lee Plenty (Christopher Scott Cherot
), written and directed by Cherot. The film is based on the true story of Chris Cherot's unrequited romance with Def Jam A&R executive Drew Dixon.
Upon completion of principal photography, Cherot was out of money again, and it took him almost a year to complete his edit and make a screening print of the film. In May 1997, at his first "cast-and-crew screening" in a small screening room in New York City, Hav Plenty producer Robyn M. Greene by chance ran into Warrington Hudlin
and Bill Duke
in the lobby of the building and invited them up to view the film. Immediately after the screening, Hudlin invited Cherot to participate in the inaugural year of the Acapulco Black Film Festival, now the American Black Film Festival
. Cherot accepted on the spot, and one month later, in June 1997, Hav Plenty was the opening night film in Acapulco, the first film at the first festival.
After seeing Hav Plenty at the Acapulco Black Film Festival, Tracey Edmonds
and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds offered to attach their names to the film and record a new soundtrack, consequently attracting an intense amount of media attention to what was previously a small, obscure independent movie. Three months later, after a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival
in September 1997, Harvey Weinstein
offered to buy Hav Plenty for an amount between $1.5 – $2.3 million. The entire time that passed between Cherot's first obscure screening in New York City to Weinstein's multi-million dollar handshake-deal in Toronto was four months.
According to an interview with Chris Cherot, Miramax wanted to give the movie a happier ending. They compromised by adding the "one year later" scene which shows a happier ending, while at the same time leaves room for argument that Hav and Lee didn't end up together.
After screenings at the Sundance Film Festival
in January 1998 to start the official "buzz", Miramax theatrically released Hav Plenty in the United States on June 19, 1998, with worldwide distribution following afterward.
Cameo appearances by:
1998 Sundance Film Festival
1999 Acapulco Black Film Festival
. It peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard 200
and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
.
1997 in film
-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
American independent film released by Miramax Films
Miramax Films
Miramax Films is an American entertainment company known for distributing independent and foreign films. For its first 14 years the company was privately owned by its founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein...
, based on an eventful weekend in the life of Lee Plenty (Christopher Scott Cherot
Christopher Scott Cherot
Christopher Scott Cherot , born November, 1967, in The Bronx, New York, is an American film director best known for Hav Plenty , a true story that he wrote, edited, produced, acted in and directed.-Projects:Mr...
), written and directed by Cherot. The film is based on the true story of Chris Cherot's unrequited romance with Def Jam A&R executive Drew Dixon.
Production
Financing for the film came from Cherot's time as a New York City cab driver, and a third mortgage on his mother's home. Principal photography took eighteen days in and around New York City and New Jersey.Upon completion of principal photography, Cherot was out of money again, and it took him almost a year to complete his edit and make a screening print of the film. In May 1997, at his first "cast-and-crew screening" in a small screening room in New York City, Hav Plenty producer Robyn M. Greene by chance ran into Warrington Hudlin
Warrington Hudlin
Warrington W. Hudlin, Jr. is an American film director, producer, and actor.He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, the son of Helen , a teacher, and Warrington W. Hudlin, Sr., an insurance executive and teacher...
and Bill Duke
Bill Duke
William Henry "Bill" Duke, Jr. is an American actor and film director with over 30 years of experience. Known for his physically imposing frame, Duke's work frequently dwells within the action/crime and drama genres but also includes comedy.-Early life:Duke was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, the...
in the lobby of the building and invited them up to view the film. Immediately after the screening, Hudlin invited Cherot to participate in the inaugural year of the Acapulco Black Film Festival, now the American Black Film Festival
American Black Film Festival
The American Black Film Festival is an independent film festival that focuses primarily on works by Black members of the film industry. It has been called “the nation’s most prominent film festival.” The festival is held annually and features full-length narratives, short films, mobile...
. Cherot accepted on the spot, and one month later, in June 1997, Hav Plenty was the opening night film in Acapulco, the first film at the first festival.
After seeing Hav Plenty at the Acapulco Black Film Festival, Tracey Edmonds
Tracey Edmonds
Tracey Edmonds is the CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc and COO of Our Stories Films.- Education :...
and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds offered to attach their names to the film and record a new soundtrack, consequently attracting an intense amount of media attention to what was previously a small, obscure independent movie. Three months later, after a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
in September 1997, Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, CBE is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. He is best known as co-founder of Miramax Films. He and his brother Bob have been co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company, their film production company, since 2005...
offered to buy Hav Plenty for an amount between $1.5 – $2.3 million. The entire time that passed between Cherot's first obscure screening in New York City to Weinstein's multi-million dollar handshake-deal in Toronto was four months.
According to an interview with Chris Cherot, Miramax wanted to give the movie a happier ending. They compromised by adding the "one year later" scene which shows a happier ending, while at the same time leaves room for argument that Hav and Lee didn't end up together.
After screenings at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
in January 1998 to start the official "buzz", Miramax theatrically released Hav Plenty in the United States on June 19, 1998, with worldwide distribution following afterward.
Cast
- Christopher Scott CherotChristopher Scott CherotChristopher Scott Cherot , born November, 1967, in The Bronx, New York, is an American film director best known for Hav Plenty , a true story that he wrote, edited, produced, acted in and directed.-Projects:Mr...
– Lee Plenty - Betty Vaughn – Grandma Moore
- Chenoa MaxwellChenoa MaxwellChenoa Maxwell is an American actress and photographer.-Career:Maxwell is best known for her starring role in the 1997 romantic comedy Hav Plenty and as the recurring character Lena Turner on the hit UPN sitcom Girlfriends...
– Havilland Savage - Chuck Baron – Mr. Savage
- Hill HarperHill HarperFrancis Harper , known professionally as Hill Harper, is an American film, television and stage actor, and author. An alumnus of Harvard Law School, he is best known for his portrayal of Dr...
– Michael Simmons - Kim Harris – Bobby Montgomery
- Margie St. Juste – Alexandria Beaumont
- Reginald James – Felix Darling
- Robinne LeeRobinne LeeRobinne Lee is an American actress. She appeared in Hotel for Dogs with Don Cheadle and Emma Roberts and with Will Smith in Seven Pounds.-Life and career:...
– Leigh Darling - Tammi Katherine Jones – Caroline Gooden
Cameo appearances by:
- Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds – Lloyd Banks
- Lauryn HillLauryn HillLauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
– Debra (Tru Love version of Caroline) - Mekhi PhiferMekhi PhiferMekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
– Harold (Tru Love version of Felix) - Nia LongNia LongNia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
– Trudy (Tru Love version of Havilland) - Rozonda "Chilli" ThomasRozonda ThomasRozonda Ocelean Thomas , best known by her stage name Chilli, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American R&B singer and actress who rose to fame as one third of the successful R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop girl group TLC.-Early life:...
– Kris (Tru Love version of Leigh) - Shemar MooreShemar MooreShemar Franklin Moore is an American actor and former male fashion model. His most notable roles are that of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, Derek Morgan on CBS's Criminal Minds, and as the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 to 2003.-Early life:Moore was...
– Chris (Tru Love version of Lee) - Tracey EdmondsTracey EdmondsTracey Edmonds is the CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc and COO of Our Stories Films.- Education :...
– Amy Madison
Critical reception
Upon initial release, the film received near unanimous praise from major trades and newspapers. Stephen Holden (The New York Times) said, "With his self-deflating cool and amused insight into the shallowness of the buppie world in which he drifts, Lee is one of the most original and likable characters to pop up in a movie in quite a while." Emanuel Levy (Variety) said, "Christopher Scott Cherot makes a splashy debut as writer, director, editor and star of this fresh, bittersweet, modern-day love story that recalls the early work of Woody Allen." Duane Byrge of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Screenwriter-director Cherot has dished up a dicey, romantic riposte, stuffing it with the real makings of romantic comedy: individual insecurities, desires and fears." Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly) wrote: "[Cherot] may be new to the movie game, but he announces himself with such confidence and force of personality, you know a noteworthy talent has arrived." Kevin Thomas at The Los Angeles Times observed, "The pleasure in watching Hav Plenty comes from seeing Cherot discover the possibilities of the medium as he goes along... As it unfolds, repartee gives way to an increasing sense of the visual, and by the time the film is over, Cherot has discovered how potent [his actors] can be in repose..". And The San Francisco Chronicle remarked, "Hav Plenty harks back to a different temperament with considerable charm." With the exception of Roger Ebert, nearly all major reviewers were particularly impressed with Cherot’s absurdist, witty writing and personable, on-screen charisma; Entertainment Weekly included Cherot on its year-end "It-List".Awards & nominations
1997 Acapulco Black Film FestivalAmerican Black Film Festival
The American Black Film Festival is an independent film festival that focuses primarily on works by Black members of the film industry. It has been called “the nation’s most prominent film festival.” The festival is held annually and features full-length narratives, short films, mobile...
- Best of Festival – Christopher Scott CherotChristopher Scott CherotChristopher Scott Cherot , born November, 1967, in The Bronx, New York, is an American film director best known for Hav Plenty , a true story that he wrote, edited, produced, acted in and directed.-Projects:Mr...
(winner)
1998 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
- Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic – Christopher Scott Cherot (nominated)
1999 Acapulco Black Film Festival
American Black Film Festival
The American Black Film Festival is an independent film festival that focuses primarily on works by Black members of the film industry. It has been called “the nation’s most prominent film festival.” The festival is held annually and features full-length narratives, short films, mobile...
- Best Screenplay – Christopher Scott Cherot (winner)
Trivia
- Hill Harper was originally cast to play the lead character, "Lee Plenty". Harper spent months rehearsing and exploring the character, but two weeks before principal photography, dropped out to take a smaller role in Spike LeeSpike LeeShelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
's Get On The BusGet on the BusGet on the Bus is a 1996 film about a group of African-American men who are taking a cross-country bus trip in order to participate in the Million Man March. The film was directed by Spike Lee and premiered on the one-year anniversary of the march....
. The break from Cherot's production was amicable, with both Cherot and Harper agreeing it was the right move; Harper even volunteered to come back and play the smaller part of "Michael Simmons". Cherot, however, was forced to find another lead actor, and at the last minute ended up playing the role himself.
- The photo Havilland finds in Lee's bible is a real photo of Cherot, taken in a hospital after a fight.
- Although not officially a sequel, Chris Cherot and "The Real Havilland" Drew Dixon starred in the short film "Vivian", directed by Dixon's younger sister in 2001. The film does not continue the story of Havilland and Lee; rather, it tells the story of a career woman (Dixon) and her weary boyfriend (Cherot) visited by a mysterious "old friend". It is rumored that Dixon and Cherot were dating at the time of filming.
Soundtrack
A soundtrack containing hip hop and R&B music was released on June 9, 1998 by Sony Music EntertainmentSony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
. It peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
.