The Best Man (1999)

Harper's autobiographical novel is almost out, his girlfriend Robin desires commitment, and he's best man at the wedding of Lance, a pro athlete. He goes to New York early (Robin will come ... See full summary »

Director:

Malcolm D. Lee

Writer:

Malcolm D. Lee

Stars:

Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut

7 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Harper's autobiographical novel is almost out, his girlfriend Robin desires commitment, and he's best man at the wedding of Lance, a pro athlete. He goes to New York early (Robin will come for the wedding) to hang out with Lance and other friends, including Jordan, his former almost-lover, now in media and privy to an advance copy of the book. The men discuss women, never facing their own double standard; Jordan wants to try again with Harper, at least for one night; and Harper fears that Lance will read his book and learn that the bride-to-be slept with him once to avenge Lance's many affairs. Can Harper mature before Lance kills him, Jordan seduces him, and he loses Robin?

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | friendship between men | romantic resolution | african american | brooklyn bridge | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Universal Universal (alternate)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amigos Indiscretos

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£51,860 (UK) (30 June 2000)

Gross:

£106,418 (UK) (7 July 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

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

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Quotes

Quentin: This shit is about to be ig'nant off the hook. Luke dancers. Luke... Dancers.

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Connections

References The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Wall to Wall"
Performed by Ruff Life

User Reviews

Far from novel and far from the best.

Taye Diggs plays Harper Stewart, a writer who is just about to release a new book full of uncomfortable similarities between himself, his friends and the characters contained within. Can he stop people recognising the thinly veiled truth as he prepares to be the best man at his best friend's funeral or will past betrayals finally be brought to the surface at the most unfortunate of times? On top of that, his friends have their own problems and neuroses and Harper has to decide if he is finally ready for commitment with his girlfriend, who he loves very much but seems to keep distant from in certain areas.

Yes, it's a romantic comedy-drama full of moments that we've seen done before and while unoriginality is not a cinematic sin (or, good grief, we would rarely see any film released in cinemas) it isn't a good thing when everything has been done BETTER than the movie you're currently watching.

The cast is appealing enough (Diggs is fine, Morris Chestnut is very good, Nia Long is lovely, Terrence Howard is a standout and Harold Perrineau is great as the one "whipped" male of the group) and even the supporting members do well (Regina Hall is cuter than she's ever been and Sanaa Lathan makes the most of her limited character . . . the girl that Diggs should realise he wants to keep hold of) but this movie limps along thanks to a dull script and flat direction with nothing to really immerse you in the movie's environment.

A romantic comedy-drama with unfunny "comedy", romance you don't care for and drama that starts to unfold before you even get to know who's involved in it all. When the ball does get rolling you can already see how things are going to end up. A poor show.

See this if you like: Brown Sugar, The Brothers, Morris Chestnut.