The Best Man Holiday (B or 3/4 stars)
In 1999, Malcolm D. Lee created, wrote, & directed a potent romantic dramedy about African-American college friends working out a series of friendship & life complications. Now, nearly 15 yrs. later, they have reassembled to celebrate Christmas together. The 1st (and slightly better) film focused on Harper as Lance's "best man" at his wedding. And this 2nd film gets underway with Harper, once again. Harper (Taye Diggs), the brainy author whose book caused quite a stir in the 1st movie, is stuck in a rut. He & his wife, Robyn (Sanaa Lanthan), are expecting their first child, but he can't find a job, has writer's block, & is drowning in debt (due mostly to him & Robyn's tireless & expensive treatments to get pregnant).
Harper accepts a Christmas invite from his estranged best buddy, Lance (Morris Chestnut), & Lance's sweet wife, Mia (Monica Calhoun), with the hope that Lance will permit him to write his biography. A huge NFL star, Lance is nearing retirement with a chance at breaking the all-time rushing record. Lance & Mia have 4 beautiful children. And according to him, life's importance is "God, family, football, in that order". Also spending the weekend at Lance's magnificent mansion is Harper's ex-flame, Jordan (Nia Long), who has a new boyfriend (Eddie Cibrian) - and he happens to be white. Still, Harper's long-suffering wife, Robyn, worries about him reconnecting with Jordan. Also present is "Murch" (Harold Perrineau). He's worried about a scandalous YouTube video of Candy (Regina Hall), his ex-stripper wife. Why should he be worried? Because his slutty, bitchy ex, Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), would just love to get her claws on that video. Rounding out the group is flamboyant, mischievous Quentin (Terence Howard), who's up to his old tricks. Over the course of the holiday spent under one enormous roof, laughs are had, tears are spilled, songs are sung, old wounds are re-opened, new dramas emerge, & a tragedy makes everyone try to forget the petty things in life.
I really enjoyed 'The Best Man Holiday'. Compared to the plethora of Tyler Perry movies that come spitting out every year, these Best Man films are masterpieces. The 1st half of this one is an appealing mix of light drama, humor, & becoming re-acquainted with these good-looking, memorable characters. Their chemistry together is fantastic. And also like the original film, the many comedic aspects exist to bring levity to a script that becomes loaded with grief & melodrama. And boyyy, does 'The Best Man Holiday' lay on the melodrama; sometimes it's too thick & manipulative. Still, everything concludes in a satisfying, emotional ending that tries to tie-up all the various subplots with a Christmas bow -- at least, 'til the next Best Man movie (hopefully) arrives.
Not only can this cast override some of the more saccharine moments of the script with their deft thespian skills, but hell ... they all look freaking amazing; and 15 years later! Taye Diggs plays Harper with warmth & dignity; he's a flawed guy trying desperately to patch it up with Lance, while also struggling to fight off personal demons, impending fatherhood, & a career rut. Morris Chestnut offers an atypical portrait of a football player: big & brawny, yes ... but also intelligent, impassioned, flawed, & vulnerable. Because of the nature of this script, Monica Calhoun gets the best scenes of the female cast, & they are extremely strong. Nia Long & Sanaa Lathan provide good moments as the women in Harper's life. That said, I wish there were more scenes btwn. them and btwn. Harper & Robyn, for that matter -- especially because this threesome's subplot warrants special attention. And of course, stealing scenes left & right is Terence Howard who knows what's what in nearly every situation. He's hysterical; providing much needed comic relief in more than a few spots.
'The Best Man Holiday' provides solid entertainment. I love that it focuses more on character & dialogue than on visuals or jokes/gags. And this film's unapologetic themes of spirituality, grief, & reconciliation is commendable. If I had to nitpick, it would be that when the tears have dried & the laughs have stopped, there's a sense that what the film offered is somewhat ... fleeting. It's not weighty enough; hard-hitting. It's "movie" hard-hitting. Not real life hard-hitting. I also think that I prefer the '99 film a tad more; just because it was so original. The laughs/drama in THAT script felt more genuine & not as manufactured for emotional payoffs. But I digress. I had a great time with 'The Best Man Holiday'. And I really look forward to what the next film in this franchise has to offer.
Harper accepts a Christmas invite from his estranged best buddy, Lance (Morris Chestnut), & Lance's sweet wife, Mia (Monica Calhoun), with the hope that Lance will permit him to write his biography. A huge NFL star, Lance is nearing retirement with a chance at breaking the all-time rushing record. Lance & Mia have 4 beautiful children. And according to him, life's importance is "God, family, football, in that order". Also spending the weekend at Lance's magnificent mansion is Harper's ex-flame, Jordan (Nia Long), who has a new boyfriend (Eddie Cibrian) - and he happens to be white. Still, Harper's long-suffering wife, Robyn, worries about him reconnecting with Jordan. Also present is "Murch" (Harold Perrineau). He's worried about a scandalous YouTube video of Candy (Regina Hall), his ex-stripper wife. Why should he be worried? Because his slutty, bitchy ex, Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), would just love to get her claws on that video. Rounding out the group is flamboyant, mischievous Quentin (Terence Howard), who's up to his old tricks. Over the course of the holiday spent under one enormous roof, laughs are had, tears are spilled, songs are sung, old wounds are re-opened, new dramas emerge, & a tragedy makes everyone try to forget the petty things in life.
I really enjoyed 'The Best Man Holiday'. Compared to the plethora of Tyler Perry movies that come spitting out every year, these Best Man films are masterpieces. The 1st half of this one is an appealing mix of light drama, humor, & becoming re-acquainted with these good-looking, memorable characters. Their chemistry together is fantastic. And also like the original film, the many comedic aspects exist to bring levity to a script that becomes loaded with grief & melodrama. And boyyy, does 'The Best Man Holiday' lay on the melodrama; sometimes it's too thick & manipulative. Still, everything concludes in a satisfying, emotional ending that tries to tie-up all the various subplots with a Christmas bow -- at least, 'til the next Best Man movie (hopefully) arrives.
Not only can this cast override some of the more saccharine moments of the script with their deft thespian skills, but hell ... they all look freaking amazing; and 15 years later! Taye Diggs plays Harper with warmth & dignity; he's a flawed guy trying desperately to patch it up with Lance, while also struggling to fight off personal demons, impending fatherhood, & a career rut. Morris Chestnut offers an atypical portrait of a football player: big & brawny, yes ... but also intelligent, impassioned, flawed, & vulnerable. Because of the nature of this script, Monica Calhoun gets the best scenes of the female cast, & they are extremely strong. Nia Long & Sanaa Lathan provide good moments as the women in Harper's life. That said, I wish there were more scenes btwn. them and btwn. Harper & Robyn, for that matter -- especially because this threesome's subplot warrants special attention. And of course, stealing scenes left & right is Terence Howard who knows what's what in nearly every situation. He's hysterical; providing much needed comic relief in more than a few spots.
'The Best Man Holiday' provides solid entertainment. I love that it focuses more on character & dialogue than on visuals or jokes/gags. And this film's unapologetic themes of spirituality, grief, & reconciliation is commendable. If I had to nitpick, it would be that when the tears have dried & the laughs have stopped, there's a sense that what the film offered is somewhat ... fleeting. It's not weighty enough; hard-hitting. It's "movie" hard-hitting. Not real life hard-hitting. I also think that I prefer the '99 film a tad more; just because it was so original. The laughs/drama in THAT script felt more genuine & not as manufactured for emotional payoffs. But I digress. I had a great time with 'The Best Man Holiday'. And I really look forward to what the next film in this franchise has to offer.