Matthew Broderick: Mr. Nice Guy

Matthew Broderick stars in "DECK THE HALLS" as Steve who is an uptight, traditional East Coast optometrist who clashes with his fun loving, uncouth and distinctly lower class neighbor Danny DeVito, over Christmas.

The warmth of the festive season turns into a frosty war when DeVito and his family light up their house with garishly, flamboyant excess - complete with hundreds of Santas, candy canes and plastic reindeer - not what Broderick considers appropriate for his sedately conservative cul de sac. War is declared and the Christmas spirit seems to go out of the window.

Q: What was the appeal of the film?

A: "I thought the script and story were really funny and I was very happy to work with Danny DeVito. I've always been a fan of his and the whole thing sounded like fun. The film is an unpretentious family movie and a really good story."

Q: What is your character like?

A: "My character's name is Steven Finch and I am an optometrist in the town and I am a very rigid person. I like everything to be a certain way, particularly Christmas. Everything has to be exactly on time and on a very tight schedule, from caroling to tree decorating to shopping. It is all perfectly scheduled. Steve is an interesting character. I understand that he is too rigid and I understand why people get mad at him and don't like him - but I like him, he is fun to play."

Q: What is it like being married on screen to your wife's (Sarah Jessica Parker) best friend Kristin Davis in the movie?

A: "It's good fun. It doesn't matter really, I never think about that. I have known Kristin for a long time and I am glad she is in the film. We are not playing a heavy romantic story, it is a family film and we are 'mom and dad'. She's great, I love her and she is a really sweet, smart, kind person and a terrific actress, it is great casting."

Q: How do you celebrate Christmas?

A: "Our Christmases are very ordinary. I am half Jewish and half Catholic. My wife loves all the traditions - she loves it. I love Christmas too.

Q: Do you think there is a message to this film?

A: "The simple message is that you don't need all the trimmings to get the joy and the happy feeling that everybody is supposed to get at Christmas. Christmas is more of an internal thing; it is not just about decorations and presents. But then it's also about loosening up and letting people have their lights and do what they want. At the end of the day, hopefully none of that matters and everyone hopes that the families come together and make friends."

Find out if goodwill prevails as two warring fathers threaten to upstage each other in the upcoming joyous family comedy DECK THE HALLS from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. very soon this November 29.