In 1999, director Malcom D. Lee ushered in the film “The Best Man” which became the “must see” movie of the time. It was funny, touching and reflected a part of the young African American lifestyle without guns a blazing, and Black mothers crying for their dead sons.
“The Best Man” was a refreshing movie detailing the scandalous events of a group of educated, up-and-coming young Blacks, leading up to a marriage mired in secrecy and deceit. The kind of thing only a group of friends can keep under their hats, until it explodes.
Now they’re back, and 15 years later this group of friends are reunited and as one critic says, be prepared to laugh, groan and occasionally tear up.
Here’s the skinny: a group of college friends last assembled for the wedding of ambitious football player Lance (Morris Chestnut) and the love of his life Mia (Monica Calhoun). More than a decade later, Lance is closing in on the NFL’s all-time rushing record. He’s filthy rich, has four kids, a huge mansion in the New York ’burbs and a loving wife. The couple, the patriarch and matriarch of their extended clan, has invited their soul mates to a festive holiday weekend at their chateau.
Jordan (Nia Long) is a flourishing TV executive at MSNBC, focused on her career and finding a little time for romance with Brian (Eddie Cibrian), a White attorney. Harper (Taye Diggs), a struggling author without a recent bestseller, is expecting his first child with wife Robyn (Sanaa Lathan). Nerdy Julian (Harold Perrineau) runs a school that is dependent on donations from wealthy philanthropists and he’s married to a former stripper, Candace (Regina Hall). They have two daughters. Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), the one we loved to hate is still single, as is Quentin (Terrence Howard) who runs a thriving marketing firm, when he is not actively chasing skirts.
For newbies I’d say check out the original film “The Best Man” before seeing the movie. However if you can’t do that, director Lee starts the film with old footage from the original film, providing a short trip down memory lane, just enough to showcase the characters and remind viewers who they were back in the day.
Many critics remarked how the actors look better 15 years later than when the film was first released, this is Hollywood.
Holidays are often fraught with emotional outbursts of anger, etc., be it friend or family, and so it is with “The Best Man Holiday.” Basically, human nature takes over. Old memories begin to creep in, old habits or actions bring up bad thoughts, and it goes downhill from there. Add to the fact the marriages or relationships might not be up to the standards they’d hoped for and you’ve got one hot mess.
But don’t despair, you will definitely delight in seeing the old gang again and enjoy how they work out their problems and hangups.
For all you folks doing the social network thing, check out this site below, if you want to see an extended trailer and different ways to connect. http://www.bestman.com/social/?__source=ggl|the+best+man+holiday|Brand|G_TheBestManHoliday_Release&sky=ggl|the+best+man+holiday|Brand|G_TheBestManHoliday_Release
“The Best Man Holiday” comes to theaters Friday.
