The Best Man (1999, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut) – Classic Film Review 1183

Writer-director Malcolm D Lee’s 1999 ensemble comedy drama stars Taye Diggs as writer Harper Stewart, who lives in Chicago with his beautiful, devoted girlfriend Robin (Sanaa Lathan). His first book, an autobiographical novel entitled Unfinished Business, has been selected by Oprah’s Book Club, which will probably turn it into a best seller.

But he soon regrets writing his autobiography when his buddies find a copy of it and it causes huge problems when he’s best man at the wedding of his best friend Lance (Morris Chestnut) to Mia (Monica Calhoun) in New York City.

There are plenty of pleasing, well-cooked ingredients in this pleasant, neatly handled, if talky and over-extended movie. There are a lot of characters and individual stories to tell but it’s more than two hours long!

Though nothing new or over-exciting, the good-natured, warm-hearted story and the expert, appealing cast are the film’s best recommendations. Nia Long, Harold Perrineau Jr, Terrence Howard and Regina Hall form the rest of the star cast.

The writer-director (who also appears as the MC) is the cousin of producer Spike Lee, who made it for his 40 Acres & a Mule production company.  Though it’s gossipy and soapy, it focuses on friendship between men and is written as a male-centered answer to female-targeted films such as Waiting to Exhale, giving the opportunity to Diggs and Howard to shine especially brightly in their breakout roles. Long proves the brightest star here among the actresses.

A surprise belated sequel appeared in 2013, The Best Man Holiday, with the whole cast back.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 1177

Link to Derek Winnert’s home page for more film reviews: http://derekwinnert.com/