Customer Reviews

The Best Man

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This movie is fast becoming a classic. It was well written, acted and the cast was beautiful. Though the cast was of African American actors, this is movie for all ethnic backrounds.It tells of a group of college friends that reunite for a wedding, but the wedding itself is not the story, its a semi-ficticious book written by one of the friends. Why is the book so paramount? Its actually a true account of events that had occurred between the friends when enrolled in college. The movie also gives an accurate depiction of quality of the up and coming African Americans in the entertainment industry. Everyone did a masterful job! I could not imagine anyone else playing in their roles. The directing was great and the ending was expected but moving. I cried!Terrance Howard should have been nominated for an award for best supportng actor. He made this film as realistic as your reunions with your families and friends. Don't miss this!

First of all I would like to say that I saw the movie 20 times in theaters.This movie really hit home.Being a 22 year old african american I can really relate to the movie.The cast was a perfect choice. Looking from the Director's point I can understand why he would release such an exquisite story.I totally believe this is the best black film ever made because there was no violence and the characters were mature enough to accept the responsibility of the mistakes they made in the past.What a beautiful wedding.I personally hope one day to meet a partner as sweet and adorable as Lance Sullivan(Morris Chestnut).I truly hope that more movies similar to this background will be released. What I mean is we need more black films that are upscale and sophisticated instead of ghetto and violence.This film is a must to add to your video tower.

Of course I am attracted to this movie because of Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, and the beautiful chocolate Morris Chestnut. Yet another attraction is that these characters are professionals, established, and have a storyline. I am happy that this movie was made. For every ghetto movie there needs to be 100 movies like this, to show that African Americans actors can do more than be on drugs, sell drugs, on welfare, and women showing their bodies. I love this movie. It is great.

THE BEST MAN doesn't try to invent a new concept in comedy, it doesn't attempt to be a 'great movie', it simply entertains on every level as another look at the interpersonal challenges that happen in the heightened atmosphere of a wedding. This time around the cast is African American and for once this is not a Blacksploitational film. Yes there are plenty of in jokes and idiosyncrasies that perhaps not everyone in the audience will 'get', but the story works well and the cast is one of the best collected on film.

Four very handsome men - Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, and Terrence Howard - are the male side of wedding party, the very beautiful women being Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa - and these beautiful actors immerse themselves in a story with many twists and lessons and appear to be having the time of their lives doing it. Taye Diggs has the lead and continues to show his growth as an actor. But it is the pleasure of seeing the now famous Terrence Howard in one of his many early roles that makes the film truly worthwhile. Not a great movie, but a film of sound production and some of the most appealing actors around! Grady Harp, January 06

Casting the superfine Morris Chestnut in a leading role guaranteed that many women would see this film, but Terrence Howard nearly steals the movie with his hilarious observations. On the whole, I felt that this was a strong movie about old friends growing up. And while it is true that the female characters are a trifle underdeveloped, this movie was primarily about the 4 male friends. We seem them reminisce, bond, fight and ultimately make peace with each other. The women are only presented as accessories. But what is wrong with the men getting a flick of their own? They sure complained enough after "Waiting to Exhale" was made.

The Best Man is about old friends, love and secrets, and it is a romantic comedy -- not a drama. There are plenty of chauvanistic bible thumpers whose actions are in direct conflict with the bible they claim to revere. I thought Morris was hilarous especially when he proclaimed Jordan to be "too damned sassy and independent." The men are all prototypes. Lance is the jock, Harper is the writer, Murch is the boho and Quinten is the player. In real life people can't be neatly categorized like that.

My only grievance is with the film's ending. I don't think that that Harper should have proposed at the wedding, and I definitely don't think that his girlfriend should have accepted. They just got caught up in the moment. Still, I thought that this movie was fabulous and I will watch it again and again.

this film captured the essence of another dimension of african-american culture. malcolm lee brought the images of educated, successful young black people to the forefront and i am so grateful. the characters were very indicative of my college friends and the storyline was superbly written and executed by the most talented black actors in the business. terrance howard's character stole the show :) but everyone gave 150% and i'm glad the story was able to be told before a global audience. it is one of the best films ever made!

It's hard to find quality black films these days. And by quality I mean movies with substance and originality. The Best Man contains both. It also has a smart, clever script, a well rounded cast, and some pretty funny dialogue. This isn't your typical black film about gang violence or life in the hood. The Best Man has class and style. It's a smooth ride from beginning to end. The plot is intriguing; a group of old college friends reunite for a wedding. Their journey is heaped with dirty secrets, heated romances, and bitter rivalries. Every actor is cast perfectly in their role. Terrence Howard is hilarious as a promiscuous playboy. Nia Long is great as the sultry, seductive other woman. Morris Chestnut is very convincing as a slightly arrogant, extremely masculine, professional athlete. And Taye Diggs is our charming and adorable, yet incredibly naive protagonist. All of the characters make poor choices throughout the movie, but we never stop rooting for them. The movie balances out the right amount of comedy with just enough drama. Very enjoyable. Highly recommended.

I was reading through the reviews for one of my favorite movies and just had to write a response to Shawn James' review.

I don't know whether or not he was mad at not getting published or just vaguely understands what a movie is suppose to do. I will break down his reviews main points.

1. How Jordan (Nia Long) gets a copy of his book? I will be the first to tell you I don't know a whole lot about how a book is published but in the movie Harper says he goes to print in 2 weeks so there can only be rough copies available so maybe there are no finished copies to send out to producers. And just like Shawn said, maybe a first time author gets no play from big shot interested reviewers or tv producers. However since he lives in Chicago, just like Oprah, that allowed him his break to get his book on Oprahs Book Club. However the biggest point is this.........that is a mute POINT!!!!!! No one wants to know why the publisher or agent working for Harper (Diggs) only has 1 copy of his book. That has nothing to do with the story. It neither advances or adds to the characters or plot.

Secondly the idea that the black male characters are not positive is again kinda mute. Positive means that they are not "jive talking, pimps and gang bangers" like other "hood" movies portray us. Oh yeah I am a black male age 31. The fact that Harper is arrogant and selfish, Terrence Howards character is smarmy and sarcastic is what makes them REAL characters. The definition of Positive Black male doesn't mean we will see Luke Skywalker with a tan, it means we will see average, flawed humans that we see and relate to everyday for that particular culture and setting. This setting happens to be professional blacks.

As far and the cinemaphotgraphy and direction, you are more than welcome to have your opinion on those things because that is artistic flair and not everyone will like it. But to criticize a film about a romatic comedy for not accurately portraying the publishing industry in the 1 lines sentence in which it was mentioned is kinda tedious and bitchy.

With regard to the positive characters, I would also hope that all of your future black male chracter's , since you are an author, have flaws and imperfections. That is what character development and depth is for. All good black men are not perfect black men, if that was the case we would have called this a fairy tale instead or a romantic comedy.

Excellent directorial debut for Malcolm Lee. This was a well written story. It's the type of African American movie that we should see more often.

The interaction among the male characters was genuine. I liked the individuality of the characters. Harper is the professional writer who's at the top of his game. Lance is a star athlete who doesn't always want to accept the consequences of his actions; he turns to GOD to get him out of his binds. Quentin is the consumate player with no set life goals, although he manages to experiment with several career choices; he's blunt and not always likeable. Murch is the soft spoken member of the group who has a life awkening during the movie. It seems as if the script was written with these actors in mind.

Jordan, is the most developed female character in the movie. She's a sassy, independent, career woman. Nia Long gives this character a lot of pizzaz. You gotta love her. The character of Mia, is not well developed nor is her portrayal by Monica Calhoun a stand out performance. Sanaa Lathan is a star in the making.

This movie is full of laughs and one I can watch again.

First of all major props due to Malcolm Lee for directing what will no doubt be considered a classic. Mr. Lee did not succomb to the senseless violence and irresponsiblity that Hollywood consistently serves up when dealing with a cast of "African American" decent. Mr. Lee painted a picture of friendship and maturity that is as beautiful as it gets. I am normally one that doesnt like to see wedding movies , however this movies is less about a wedding and more about the bonds of friendship and responsiblity.Harper (Taye Diggs) is totally believable in his sincerity as is Lance ( Morris Chestnut ). A great date and family film. The story becomes somewhat predictable however there are a few hillarious plot twists that keep your attention.For eye candy there is the incredibly sexy Nia Long for the guys and a few shirtless scenes with Taye and Morris for the ladies. I am of latin decent and can honestly say that this movie is a must see for people of all backgrounds. I was so proud to see men and women of ethnic backgrounds portrayed in such a positive light. Thank you Mr. Lee for not stuffing the usual garbage down our throats. See it and you will not be dissapointed.