Synopsis
Lee Plenty, a struggling would-be novelist, is broke, homeless, and secretly in love with his wealthy friend, Havilland Savage. While apartment-sitting for her, Lee gets an unexpected chance to spend New Year's Eve in her world. As friends, romantic complications, and his own insecurities close in, he must decide whether to keep performing the role he thinks Hav wants or risk being honest.
Factoids & Trivia
- The film was inspired by writer-star Christopher Scott Cherot's real-life, unrequited romance with Def Jam A&R executive Drew Dixon.
- Cherot financed the production partly with money earned driving a New York City cab and by taking out a third mortgage on his mother's home.
- Principal photography took only 18 days in and around New York City and New Jersey.
- After filming, Cherot ran out of money and spent nearly a year completing the edit and preparing a screening print.
- A chance encounter involving producer Robyn M. Greene, Warrington Hudlin, and Bill Duke led to the film being invited to the first Acapulco Black Film Festival, where it served as the opening-night film in June 1997.
- Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Tracey Edmonds became involved after seeing the film in Acapulco. Their support helped bring greater attention to the project and led to a new hip-hop and R&B soundtrack.
- The soundtrack was released ahead of the film's U.S. theatrical run and reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- Miramax became involved after the film's screening at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 1997. Additional work, including changes to the soundtrack and ending, raised the final budget to about $250,000.
- The film opened in U.S. theaters on June 19, 1998, after gaining attention at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.