The Best Man (1999/I)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Malcolm D. Lee

Writer (WGA):

Malcolm D. Lee (written by)

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Harper's autobiographical novel is almost out, his girlfriend Robin desires commitment, and he's best man at the wedding of Lance...

Plot Keywords:

Family Relationships | Bachelor Party | Friendship Between Men | Friendship | Black Male Schoolteacher

Awards:

6 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Taye Diggs	...	Harper Stewart
Nia Long	...	Jordan Armstrong
Morris Chestnut	...	Lance Sullivan
Harold Perrineau	...	Julian Murch
Terrence Howard	...	Quentin
Sanaa Lathan	...	Robin
Monica Calhoun	...	Mia Morgan
Melissa De Sousa	...	Shelby
Victoria Dillard	...	Anita
Regina Hall	...	Candy
Jim Moody	...	Uncle Skeeter
Jarrod Bunch	...	Wayne
Stu 'Large' Riley	...	Fandango
Liris Crosse	...	Stripper
Lady Madonna	...	Stripper

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexuality.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:S | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #36703) | Iceland:L (original rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Goofs:

Continuity: Shelby's arms when she's arguing with Julian in the church after the wedding rehearsal.

Quotes:

Lance Sullivan: In case you didn't know, marriage is the key to promiscuity.
Quentin: In what world?

Movie Connections:

References "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986)

Soundtrack:

Wall to Wall

Underrated Gem

I was surprised to see how little attention this film garnered, despite it's amazing cast and intelligent script. Character based scripts walk a delicate line, but somehow most seem to reap in undeserving praises (St. Elmo's Fire, The Big Chill). Not to sound like a self-righteous broken record, but I truly believe "The Best Man" was passed over because it happened to have an African American cast. It was instantly labeled a "black" movie, before anyone bothered to watch more than the trailer, which is a crying shame, because what everyone missed out on was a fine film.

The characters range from classic (Morris Chestnut's Lance) to surprisingly fresh (Terrence Howard's Quentin), all with very distinct personalities, yet believable connections. (Am I the only one who is so sick of using the "went to college together" excuse for why some film characters are friends, despite the obvious fact that in reality the "cool rebel" doesn't hang with the "prudish nerd" and so on.)

Not only does the film have refreshing takes on the inter-dimensional relationships of characters, it's not afraid to face the characters honestly, to show each individual's flaws...they have depth, soul, contradictions, much like REAL PEOPLE! Amazing! The themes are universal; friends, love, mistakes, forgiveness. The dialogue is witty, yet not overly done to sound like "movie dialogue" that no one in the real world speaks.

And though the race of the characters does not matter in this movie, I applaud Malcolm D. Lee for writing a film featuring black characters that are all successful, independent and intelligent. No one is rapping or drug dealing, no one is blaming the man for setbacks. The characters actually represent the MAJORITY of the black community, just regular people, living their lives. How refreshing from the Hollywood stereotypes, believed by suburban white America, that every successful black man is a rapper or a basketball player and every other one a criminal or janitor. It's a shame this film didn't make for money, perhaps then we'd see more of this trend, movies based on script rather than race.

Though I loved it, this film probably won't change your life. It's not one that will ever be considered one of the best films ever (though I think it took bold steps in closing the race gap in film). And I'm not saying it's an absolute must-see for everyone. But for discerning viewers with perhaps some taste and hunger for something a little different, I recommend you treat yourself to something that you probably haven't seen in a long time: a simply good movie.