Despite its childish antics and overblown histrionics, The Best Man Holiday generates honest laughs and credible drama from an otherwise straightforward plot, thanks to a cast with excellent chemistry.
Fourteen years after their first encounter, Harper and his friends return for Christmas together in this sequel from writer-director Malcolm D. Lee starring Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan Terrence Howard Regina Hall Harold Perrineau & Monica Calhoun.
Taye Diggs
Diggs, once known for his smile that could melt ice, has built his career around his natural charisma and varied acting chops. He has appeared in countless TV shows and films such as The Brothers, Two Can Play That Game, Like Mike Brown, Sugar Drum, The Best Man Holiday, and more.
He starred as Harper Stewart, an up-and-coming author whose debut book Unfinished Business had been selected by Oprah’s Book Club. When Harper is asked to be the best man at Lance’s wedding, it becomes evident that his unfinished business must be resolved first.
This film is an enjoyable ensemble piece featuring solid performances from an all-star cast; however, some false dramatic notes and an overly dramatic song-and-dance number could derail its impact. However, its warmth comes from Diggs Chestnut Lathan Long, Howard Perrineau Perrineau, and Monica Calhoun being together again and keeping us invested in their reunion.
Morris Chestnut
Reuniting the ensemble cast 14 years later, The Best Man 2 remains just as well-acted and funny. Writer-director Malcolm D. Lee recognizes that not everyone will have kept up with all of the characters since watching the original film, so he utilizes remedial clips over the opening credits and relies heavily on its large cast (Taye Diggs’ Harper, Sanaa Lathan’s Robyn, Regina Hall’s Candy, Morris Chestnut’s Lance, Harold Perrineau’s Julian and Melissa De Sousa’s Shelby), to handle most of its tasks through quick introduction scenes.
Diggs and Chestnut are back with us again, displaying terrific chemistry, which makes this ensemble movie truly entertaining, not to mention moving enough to bring tears of laughter or sadness and make for an excellent addition to the genre. The Best Man Holiday will keep audiences laughing!
Nia Long
After their successful 1999 movie and 2013 sequel, The Best Man cast reunited for this new series developed by Malcolm D. Lee. Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan Nia Long Terrence Howard Harold Perrineau Melissa De Sousa returned together as one to bring viewers their latest installment of friendships between Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs Sanaa Lathan Nia Long Terrence Howard Harold Perrineau Melissa De Sousa
Harper Stewart finds herself mired in her memoir writing process while encountering difficulties from former flame Lance. Although their relationship may have soured over the years, Lance cares deeply for Harper and strives to assist with any personal challenges that arise while writing his biography.
Shelby remains outspoken and assertive while still considering her daughter and trying to forge her way in life as a news anchor. Shelby and her castmates reunited for Peacock’s eight-episode series that concluded firmly and left audiences eager for more.
Sanaa Lathan
When The Best Man premiered in 1999, it was a surprise hit and opened up a new field of romantic comedies featuring black actors. Fourteen years have passed, and not many of these films have come our way since. But the cast from The Best Man Holiday does attempt to come back together at Christmas for an earnest attempt to heal old wounds between themselves – yet ultimately falls flat on its face.
Thankfully, The Best Man Holiday boasts an excellent cast with undeniable chemistry; though the film may sometimes be sentimental or overdramatic, its message can still be heartfelt and humorous.
Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnutt, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, Regina Hall, and Monica Calhoun all reprise their roles from the original movie in this sequel, but all their lives have since evolved significantly compared to when we last saw them together, Lance (Morris Chestnutt) is about to retire as an NFL player while Harper (Taye Diggs) attempts to establish herself as an author; Shelby (Melissa De Sousa) continues her brash ways but her priorities have changed drastically;
Terrence Howard
The Best Man Holiday reunites its original cast 14 years later for a holiday reunion, reigniting long-forgotten rivalries and romances from a 1999 film directed by Malcolm D. Lee. Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, and Monica Calhoun all reprise their roles from that film as they face old foes from both sides of their rivalries and romances head-on!
In the movie, Lance is still struggling with his football career and grieving his daughter Mia’s death, while in the series, he’s deep into a midlife crisis with personal issues of sexuality. Additionally, he can’t seem to shake Robin as his ex-wife, struggling with having never really moved past Robin.
Melissa De Sousa plays Shelby from The Best Man Holiday and its sequel with all its entitlement and bossiness intact. Now a wife and mother, Shelby is trying to reinvent herself as a news anchor, appearing in Our Kind of People and Black Lightning and having a recurring role in The Resident (an upcoming TV series). Howard has also appeared in EMPIRE, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, and Dead Man Down.
Regina Hall
The Best Man Holiday is the sequel to 1999’s surprise hit The Best Man, which proved profitable and signaled an exciting future for romantic comedies starring actors of color. Reuniting their original ensemble cast with Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan Harold Perrineau, and Melissa De Sousa back together again during an unsettling Christmas season, all are present once more for some reminiscing, rivalry and sobering reality amidst festive holiday cheer – Taye Diggs rejoins them all as original cast members Taye Diggs Diggs rejoins his role and Melissa De Sousa reprises hers from 1999.
The Best Man Holiday is notable for its likable characters and excellent cast chemistry, providing audiences with an authentic feeling even during moments when characters may disagree – an unexpected treat in Hollywood movies! Unfortunately, however, the film often shifts into manipulative territory, sometimes relying on heavy-handed devices for faux sentimentality instead of their natural charm to generate entertainment value; but nonetheless, this remains an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
Harold Perrineau
Harold Perrineau is an American actor best known for his roles as Michael Dawson on the ABC TV series Lost, Augustus Hill in the HBO series Oz, and Sheriff Boyd Stevens in the MGM+ network series Romeo + Juliet. Additionally, he has appeared in films Woman on Top, Smoke, 28 Weeks Later, Sons of Anarchy, and Constantine series on television.
In The Best Man Holiday, directed and written by Malcolm D. Lee, Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, and Monica Calhoun return for another festive reunion 14 years after appearing together. Malcolm D. Lee also directed and wrote The Best Man Holiday.
The Best Man Holiday features an outstanding cast who make its conventional plot work. While humorous at times and sentimental in others, its characters create genuine emotions reminiscent of its source material while showing why these relationships remain significant today.
Monica Calhoun
The Best Man Holiday (2013) brings together the cast from its predecessor film for an exciting Christmas reunion. Set 15 years after the original movie, protagonist Harper (Taye Diggs) struggles with writing his second novel while estranged friend Lance (Morris Chestnut) approaches breaking Giant’s all-time rushing record. Quentin (Terrance Howard) and Shelby (Melissa De Sousa) join as single friends, along with awkward Julian (Harold Perrineau).
Even with some missteps, this earnest attempt at renewing old friendships proves successful. Thanks to an outstanding ensemble cast’s performances, its characters are endearing and relatable.
Though overlong and disjointed, this film remains captivating to watch. Diggs and Chestnut are particularly noteworthy in their performances as critical components to its success, while its many emotional moments make for powerful viewing. Fans of the original should give this sequel a watch!
