UB Review: “The Best Man Holiday” — The Sequel is A Must See

“The Best Man Holiday”
Universal
In Theaters: Nov. 15th

Cast:
Terrence Howard – Quentin
Sanaa Lathan – Robin
Nia Long – Jordan
Taye Diggs – Harper
Morris Chestnut – Lance
Harold Perrineau – Julian
Eddie Cibrian – Brian
Regina Hall – Candace
Melissa De Sousa – Shelby
Monica Calhoun – Mia Morgan
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If you’re wondering if The Best Man Holiday is as good as the first one, it’s better. It’s as simple as that. It takes place during Christmastime, for crying out loud. So, just imagine everything you loved about The Best Man—the brilliant storytelling that kept you on your toes, the crazy yet lovable characters, the did-he-just-say-what-I-think-he-did humor (we’re looking at you, Quentin)—only set during the most wonderful time of the year. See what we mean! Plus, good ol’ caroling (New Edition-style), a career-defining football game on Christmas day, budding romances, a long-awaited pregnancy and awkwardly funny moments at the dinner and pool table help to capture the spirit of the season.

Before we go any further, the cast looks even more beautiful than they did in the original movie almost 15 years ago. You know, in case you needed yet another reminder that life isn’t fair. And even after all of these years, the ensemble does not skip a beat. Their chemistry radiates through the big screen.

The old gang reunites at the Sullivan’s gorgeous mansion in Jersey for the Christmas holiday. Naturally, there’s a legit reason for everyone coming together, but we don’t want to give everything away. However, if you’re scratching your head as to why Shelby (Melissa De Sousa) was invited, it turns out that she and Mia (Monica Calhoun) were sorority sisters. Go figure!

To borrow the title of Harper’s (Taye Diggs) first novel, there’s a lot of “unfinished business” among the crew. In fact, it’s fitting that there’s snow on the ground because things are still icy between Lance (Morris Chestnut) and Harper. If you recall, on the eve of his wedding to Mia, Lance read between the lines of Harper’s book and figured out that Harper slept with his bride-to-be (now mother to his four children) back when they were still dating. Mia wanted to get back at the star college athlete for all of his indiscretions by cheating on him with his best friend. To complicate matters in the present-day, the subject of Harper’s next book just might stick the final nail in the coffin of their friendship. Looks like “good girl” Mia is going to have to own up to her part in all of the drama if there’s any hope of Lance and Harper becoming boys again.

Speaking of tension you can cut with a knife, Harper’s wife, Robin (Sanaa Lathan), is forced to be under one roof with a woman her husband has been with and another (Jordan aka Nia Long), whom Harper iconized in his debut book as the lead character’s soul mate. Not to mention, the latter went against her better judgment and gave Harper a free ticket to ride, if you know what we mean, the last time everyone was together. Did we mention Robin is pregnant? Not the ideal sitch for any girl, especially not one who’s super hormonal.

Jordan, meanwhile, has found herself a loving, thoughtful, successful, dimpled and chisel-bodied boyfriend, Brian (Eddie Cibrian), who is absolutely crazy about her. But does the career-driven woman want to be rescued by the seemingly perfect guy with Superman good looks? It has to be said that Cibrian holds his own in the film. He even delivers one of the more memorable quotes, something along the lines of: you’d have to be a bitch to be concerned with your woman’s past. Ouch! Are you listening, Lance…or maybe Julian?

Julian (Harold Perrineau), or Murch as the fellas like to call him, learns the hard way that when you fall in love with a stripper (Candy, played by Regina Hall), her past may come back to haunt you. And in the 21st century, everyone—including an annoying ass ex, like Shelby—will have a front-row seat for the action thanks to a little invention called YouTube.

In the first movie, Shelby and Quentin (Terrence Howard) wound up in bed together at the very end. What’s the status of their relationship in the sequel? It’s complicated. Between Quentin’s flirtatious nature, which involves unsolicited sexts and another night of sex, and Shelby longing to create a stable environment for her young daughter, you never know with these two.

Finally, as you may have heard, there is a death in The Best Man Holiday. But we promise you won’t leave the theater feeling all depressed (although we did shed quite a few tears throughout the film). There’s new life to be celebrated at the close of the picture as well as yet another hilarious cliffhanger courtesy of the one and only Quentin. We smell a third installment. One can only hope.

— Danielle, (UrbanBridgez.com Writer/Reporter)

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Make Sure You Check Out UB’s Exclusive Interview feature with the Cast of “The Best Man Holiday!”

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