When you’re watching a show or film with actress Loretta Devine it often makes you smile or laugh. So it comes as to no surprise that she has taken on another comedic role in the new heartfelt film, “A Snowy Day in Oakland.”
The new movie directed by Kim Bass which also stars Nicole Ari Parker, Evan Ross, Arden Myrin, Roger Cross, and more, follows the life and journey of a psychologist from San Francisco who decides to end a stalled romance with her high-profile psychiatrist boyfriend and business partner. While trying to keep herself busy, she opens up her own practice in a vacant office space in the middle of a small commercial block located across the bay in Oakland. As she tries to start her new psychology business, she takes on the challenge of working in a predominately African American neighborhood.
The Emmy-winning star plays Jeanette who provides comedic relief to the film as it takes on serious topics like mental health. Now in the teaser, Miss Devine’s character says, “Black people don’t go to therapy, they go to God, they know that’s the truth,” she says with a laugh. “It’s an absolute joy.”
While speaking with Hollywood Unlocked, Miss Devine expands on those sentiments and even shares that she agrees. “I think it’s the truth about Black people; that they don’t volunteer for therapy,” she said with a giggle. “We do take it and leave our burden with the lord and leave it there. [It’s] what we were raised on. But in 2023 after all of the things that have happened in the past three years, I think more people may be in line to do something like therapy.”
Further noting, “But if you noticed, the therapist don’t have no ads on TV. Ain’t no reason to go over there. The doctors have like 50 ads… the therapist need to beef it up,” she joked as we laughed on.
As busy and hardworking as she is, Devine says when it comes to her mental health there are no specific techniques to make sure it’s intact. Instead, she says “She’s crafty.”
“Sometimes I knit or crochet and usually if I’m working on a show or in a show, I always have that near me because it just chills me out. I can do that and still work on my lines. So I have those little things that I like to do.”
She went on to admit, “I don’t think about my head that much,” the vibrant star said while giggling again.
More On Her Role As Jeanette
More into our great conversation, Loretta Devine let us know what fans can expect when watching the film:
“My character is the one that gossips, she knows everybody’s business and she sort of moves the storyline.” She went on to share, “I handle the comedy and all the other people handle the drama and the love.”
Before ending, Devine who won the NAACP Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series earlier this year shared what she’s most proud of in her career. She said,
“I think just being able to work. You never know when your next job is coming from usually and now we’re in a time where people are creating their own work which is really a great thing. And so, I’m just very proud of the fact that I’m still able to work in a lot of different genres. I do voice-overs, I sing a bit, I do comedy, I do drama. I just do it all!”
I know that’s right!
“A Snowy Day” in Oakland is out now!
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