The Best Man Holiday

A follow-up to his 1999 hit The Best Man—a romantic dramedy about African American college friends working out life's complicated problems—Malcolm D. Lee's The Best Man Holiday centers on a Yuletide reunion. While the first film focused on Harper (Taye Diggs), the sequel shifts to Mia (Monica Calhoun), who married New York Giants superstar Lance (Morris Chestnut). According to Lance, what's important in life is: “God, family, football—in that order.” But Mia desperately misses her friends, so she invites everyone to their magnificently decorated suburban mansion for Christmas weekend. Not surprisingly, each guest faces his/her own quandary. NYU professor/struggling writer Harper, who hasn't had a bestseller since his semi-autobiographical novel, is making the trip with an ulterior motive, while his long-suffering, very-pregnant wife, Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), harbors fears about him reconnecting with former flame Jordan (Nia Long), who has brought along new “vanilla” boyfriend Brian (Eddie Cibrian). Private school administrator/social activist Julian (Harold Perrineau) is worried about a scandalous YouTube video of his wife Candace (Regina Hall), as well as the catty revelations of his slutty ex, Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), who is now a reality-TV star. And troublemaking bachelor Quentin (Terrence Howard) is up to his usual rascally tricks. Mixing raunchy comedy with predictable (and sometimes forced) Christian melodrama, the film is uneven but does benefit from a talented cast. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by writer-director Malcolm D. Lee, a “making-of” featurette (12 min.), a gag reel (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted/extended scenes (25 min.), “Smack Talk: Filming the Girl Fight Scene” (4 min.), an alternate ending (2 min.), and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so film.] (S. Granger)