The Best Man Holiday (FILM REVIEW)
The Best Man Holiday
Film Review
by Kam Williams
Seasonal Sequel Finds Reunited BFFs Romancing and Reminiscing
When released back in 1999, The Best
Man was dismissed by some as merely an African-American variation on The Big
Chill, and by others as the black male answer to Waiting to Exhale. But the romantic
romp revolving around a sophisticated set of college grads was actually entertaining
enough to stand on its own, and was even well-enough received to land a trio of
NAACP Image Awards, including Best Picture.
Set 15 years later, The
Best Man Holiday is an eagerly-anticipated sequel reuniting the principal
ensemble for a mix of reminiscing, rivalry and sobering reality unfolding during
a very eventful Christmas season. Written and directed by Malcolm Lee
(Undercover Brother), the film features Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Terrence
Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau, Regina Hall, Melissa De
Sousa and Monica Calhoun reprising the roles they played in the first episode.
At the
point of departure, we find the gang gathering at the sprawling mansion of Lance Sullivan (Chestnut), an NFL
running back on the brink of retirement after a recording-breaking career with
the New York Giants. The God-fearing family man is relishing the prospect of spending
more quality time with his wife, Mia
(Calhoun), and their children.
Author
Harper Stewart (Diggs), the best man at their wedding, had stirred-up considerable
controversy in the original by writing a thinly-veiled account of his buddies’
sexual exploits. This time around, he lands back in trouble when plans to
publish a biography of host Lance come to light.
Furthermore,
despite the fact that his wife, Robin (Lathan), is 9-months pregnant, Harper
feels pangs of passion at first sight of his gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Jordan (Long). So,
when her handsome beau (Eddie Cibrian) excuses himself to spend Christmas with
his parents, it’s just a matter of time before flirting leaves Harper in the
dog house with Robin, too.
Meanwhile, nerdy
Julian (Perrineau), who tied the knot with the stripper (Hall) he fell for way
back at Lance’s bachelor party, is currently worried that an old Youtube video
of his scantily-clad spouse might surface, now that he’s made an honest woman
of her. Hard to ignore is Julian’s flamboyant ex-girlfriend, Shelby (De Sousa),
a drama-loving reality-TV star.
All of the
above is cleverly commented upon by the clownish Quentin (Howard), a one-man
Greek chorus again supplying intermittent comic relief.
The multi-plotted storyline proves thoroughly absorbing for
the duration, feverishly alternating between fond reflections and fresh crises.
By
viewing’s end, all the loose ends are satisfactorily resolved, allowing for a memorable,
if bittersweet sendoff, as well as a transparent setup of the franchise’s next
installment. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take Malcolm Lee 15 years to shoot
another sequel!
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for profanity, sexuality, ethnic slurs and brief
nudity
Running Time: 124 minutes
Distributor: Universal
Pictures
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