Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
14 years ago a movie by the name of The Best Man helped illuminate some of the brightest Stars in Showbiz. Penned by Malcom D. Lee, and directed by the same, that introductory Film revolved around one Man’s Wedding (Morris Chestnut), and his Best Man’s (Taye Diggs) betrayal. Hearts were broken and eventually mended… oh the beauty of the Rom-Com!
Cue to the present moment: the Stars are back, so is the Writer/Director, and the humor and hardships as well. Lance (Chestnut) and his Wife Mia (Monica Calhoun) invite their Friends’ home for the Holidays in hopes of mending old wounds. Harper (Taye Diggs) has lost his job, and his Wife Robyn (Sanaa Lathan) is struggling to bring a Baby to term. Julian (Harold Perrineau) is on the brink of a breakdown, and his Wife Candace (Regina Hall) is the reason why. Jordan (Nia Long) is enamoured with a “White Boy” (Eddie Cibrian), and Quentin (Terrance Howard) as always is up to no good. Last, but definitely not least, Shelby (Melissa De Souza) is going Girls-Gone-Wild in an attempt to win Julian back.
God, family, and football are the subjects steering the Toronto-filmed Drama from the start. The importance of Faith is suggested early on, and the difficulty to maintain such is undergone by each and every character. Standout Performances include that of Hall and Souza, who are at each others’ throats and eager to throw-down. Add to that the four leading Men who do an incredible Airband Act of New Edition’s Can You Stand the Rain. Let’s not forget the other ladies however, as Long, Lathan and especially Calhoun spill some honest tears and inspire the same.
This is a Performance Piece, and the Performers are impressive. The chemistry they create is so palpable that the Audience is left believing in the relationships they have with one another. Then of course there is the Football, and the NFL licensing garnered by the Film is as extensive as it is enjoyable.
14 years have passed, but for Fans of the Franchise, this will prove to be a worthwhile wait. For not only does the Film make for a splendid Holiday Outing, it also comes equipped with a soulful Soundtrack. Therein artists like John Legend, Monic, and R. Kelly croon about Christmas and the Love it inspires.
Don’t let the cold weather harden your heart and put ice in your veins. Warm up instead with The Best Man Holiday, in theatres Friday, November 15, 2013 via Universal Pictures Canada.
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