Don't Believe the Hype

Best movie ever!

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

For once a description on many sites that fits -- a tragicomedy. Yes, there is certainly humor here, but comedy is not what this film is about. That may have disappointed some viewers, but let's see: Taye Diggs and his film-wife Sanaa Lathan are sinking into debt because his recent books haven't sold. She is pregnant and during a previous pregnancy they lost the baby...and may again -- breech birth this time around. Meanwhile, he is contemplating writing a bio of his best friend, a pro-football player, but they have been estranged for some time.Morris Chestnut is the remarkably successful football player, and he and his wife (Monica Calhoun) have several beautiful children, but she is dying of cancer and he can't face it, even with his religion.Harold Perrineau is the director of a private school and his necessary fundraising has hit a major bump -- an online video shows his wife may have been a prostitute while in college.Terrence Howard plays a sleaze ball, but a true friend. Melissa De Sousa plays a reality television star who is about as obnoxious as one can get. Nia Long and Eddie Cibrian are good as a mixed couple.Nope...not much comedy is those subplots, yet there is humor here. But a stronger theme as Calhoun has all the old friends together for several days at Christmas. Will she live through the holiday? Will her husband break a record on the football field? Will the school get funded? The book written and financial disaster averted? Will the two least appealing characters better their lives and relationships? Well, it's a mixed bag at the end of the film. Good news / bad news.This is a particularly strong film with great performances from all involved. It's difficult for me to find something here to criticize.Highly recommended, though sometimes predictable...and it's a tear jerker. Just right to remember that even during the holidays all is not peace and joy...but often people are doing the very best they can.

This was past my expectations! Never had a moment of let down during the entire movie. I was entertained throughout. I laughed, cried, thought and smiled so much I watched it 5 times already. Excellent production. I watched the first movie at least 100 times and this one will probably end up the same for me. I am looking forward to a follow- up to this soon. This is when you know a movie is well made, when you want more at the end. The cast was beautiful and did an amazing job and the soundtrack was great also. I love the fact that not all directors disappoint when it comes to casting and directing something worth watching on the big screen. We need more African American films like this one.

If you haven't seen or don't remember 'The Best Man', I would watch it first and then watch 'The Best Man Holiday'. 'The Best Man Holiday' takes us 13 years later into the lives of the characters from the original movie. Make it a double feature popcorn night. Do you have to? Of course not. 'The Best Man Holiday' stands up just fine on its' own two feet. Heck, it soars. This movie is listed as a comedy/drama and that is just putting it mildly. You just may find yourself laughing through crying tears or crying through laughing tears. This movie does what any good novel or movie should do. It takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. The script is well written and all of the actors do an absolutely fabulous job of making you forget that they are acting. You begin to forget that you are sitting on your couch as they pull you into the story and they don't let you off until the end credits begin to run. And, even then, it will still take a little time to recover from the two hour ride. Of course, all of the above is true only if you do have emotions or feelings. If not, just turn on a ball game or look into a mirror. One of those should hold your interest:)

Can't believe it's been 14 years - in real time. The actors look fantastic and still have their characters locked in. Can't wait to see the next Best Man offering, evidently filmed at the same time to save on costs. Good idea.I, too, wish all the cursing and foul language had not been in front of the children - and my late grandmother would have been shocked, I'm afraid! But everything else is so well done.Many of us experience similar ups and downs in life no matter what our financial circumstances so it was interesting to go through this sliver of life with the upper % - speaking purely from a monetary point of view of course.A lot of good feeling in this film, along with the anger and sadness. Real life - in a gorgeous setting.