The Best Man Holiday (DVD REVIEW)
The Best Man Holiday
DVD
Review by Kam Williams
Sequel Reunites
BFFs for Another round of 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 the sassy sisters dishing the
dirt in 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 Studios Home Entertainment
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: Deleted and extended scenes
with director’s commentary; alternate ending; Smack Talk: Filming the Girl
Fight Scene; gag reel; Holiday Reunion; and feature commentary by director Malcolm
Lee.
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