We catch up with the leading lady in the upcoming thriller The Perfect Guy, Sanaa Lathan. She shares her views about being an actress and a producer in the film. Tony-award nominated actress Sanaa Lathan first burst on the scene in 2000 with her acclaimed performance in Love and Basketball.
On television, Leagh is the voice of Donna Tubbs on the popular animated series Family Guy and received an NAACP Image Award nomination for her work on Nip/Tuck. We spoke with her about her new film, The Perfect Guy.
What initially attracted you to The Perfect Guy?
Clint Culpepper, who is the head of the studio, pitched the idea to me a couple of years ago and I just loved it. I mean, I was on the edge of my seat just hearing the pitch. A couple of years later he had the script and the rest is history.
You’re not only starring in the film, but you’re also one of the producers. It seems like this is a real passion project for you.
I was just really into it. I love thrillers, that ride you go on when you go to theatre. But I also liked the fact that it had some deeper elements as well, especially that idea that no one will save you but yourself. I feel there’s a real theme of empowerment in there for women. This is a character who asks for help and she’s unable to get it. She finally has to take matters into her own hands. That’s kind of a metaphor for life in a weird way. Nobody’s going to do it for you.
The film, notably, has been drawing comparisons to Fatal Attraction.
We actually watched the movie and used it to set the bar. There were real relationships in it and I wanted that in this as well. I love it that people would bring that up; because that’s something we had in mind.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is this the first time you’re working with Michael Ealy?
Yes, actually, it is.
You both had time to get to know each other and work through the script prior to filming. Did that help when it came to shooting your most intimate scenes together?
It’s important. You have to have some kind of familiarity with the person otherwise it would make an already awkward situation even more awkward.
Love and Basketball was the film where audiences first fell in love with you. What do you think when you look back at it today?
To be honest, I don’t look back at it at all. I’ve kind of trained myself to be an ‘in the moment’ person. Once I’m done, I’m done. I’ve given it away. I don’t really think about it. I don’t watch it. But I am so thrilled that 15 years later that people are still watching it and a new generation is able to experience that beautiful story. I would never have known when I was shooting it that it would still be relevant 15 years later.
What was the biggest challenge in bringing The Perfect Man to the screen?
The whole process, in truth, was actually very exciting. I mean, sure, we did a lot of night shoots and that was hard, but that comes with the territory. Another thing that was challenging was the love scenes. To get in the shower naked, even though Morris and I are friends was challenging.
What kind of a movie are audiences in store for?
If you liked Fatal Attraction, you’ll love The Perfect Guy. And then there’s a whole generation that’s not even familiar with Fatal Attraction. I’m hoping that this will be their Fatal Attraction. The film premieres in SA on Friday, 18 September. Watch the trailer below. Will you be watching?
