leonblackwood Review: I done the stupid thing by watching the sequel to this movie before watching the first part, which I enjoyed much more. I couldn't really get into the sequel because I didn't know that much about the characters, but now that I've watched this movie, I totally understand the relationship between the childhood buddies and there relationships. All of the actors put in great performances which were very real and emotional in parts. Terrence Howard's character really made me laugh and the individual storyline's were well written. I must admit, I did watch the sequel straight after watching this movie and I still prefer the original. Anyway, I'm sure that most people have seen this movie before as it did come out in 1999, but I still enjoyed it. Watchable!Round-Up: Most of the actors in this movie have become major stars so it's great to watch them before there prime. Terence Howard has become the biggest star out of the bunch, with his brief major role in Ironman and other big movies like The Butler and Dead Man Down.   Morris Chestnut is mostly known for his part in Boyz 'N The Hood but he hasn't really blown up since then. He's had small parts in The Call and Identity Thief but he's yet to become a household name. Harold Perrineau is known for his character in Lost but he's yet to take on a leading role. Out of all of the make characters I did think that Taye Diggs was going to be the biggest star, but his career also seemed to have gone a bit flat. Anyway, the chemistry between the characters was great but the movie did seem to drag after a while.Budget: $9million Worldwide Gross: $35millionI recommend this movie to people who are into there urban relationship movies about a group of friends who are brought together for a wedding. 5/10

zardoz-13 Classy romantic comedies about African-Americans that neither deal drugs nor go on booty calls were unusual fare for Hollywood in the pre-Tyler Perry era. "Waiting to Exhale" (1995) charted this change of attitude in the depiction of blacks that caught on in later movies like "Soul Food," "Eve's Bayou," "Love Jones," and "The Wood." Director Malcolm D. Lee's witty, sophisticated, but dramatically well-rounded yarn "The Best Man" is the latest to capitalize on this trend. Despite some profanity and raunchy sexual allusions, "The Best Man" endorses marriage, fidelity and religious values. Nobody gets shot, stabbed, or coked up the nose. The characters qualify as intelligent, positive, upscale role models and stereotypes appear conspicuously absent in this seriocomic account of a weekend college reunion before a classmate's wedding.Happily, "The Best Man" shuns racism either as a political issue or as a narrative theme. Actually, this lighthearted but occasionally down to earth comedy of errors looks and sounds like something Oscar Wilde or George Bernard Shaw might have penned. The point is that "The Best Man" emerges as a polished mainstream comedy where the characters are first and foremost people with all of the foibles and frailties of mankind. A strong ensemble cast headed by charismatic Taye Diggs, who won over audiences in "When Stella Got Her Groove Back," distinguishes writer Lee's accomplished directorial debut. Unlike his famous, more often controversial brother Spike Lee, Malcolm sticks to the story and avoids tangents.Chicago author Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs of "Go") has just written his first novel. Appropriately entitled 'Unfinished Business,' Stewart's about to be published story has been picked up by Oprah Winfrey's book club. Life couldn't be better for the novice novelist. The froth of Harper's success fizzles when he learns that his ex-college flame, BET-TV producer Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long of "Friday") has circulated an advance copy of his semi-autobiographical effort among his close chums. When Harper arrives in New York City for the weekend festivities surrounding the impending marriage of football star Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut of "Half Past Dead") and Mia Morgan (Monica Calhoun of "Love & Basketball"), he finds himself up to his ears in hot water.Naturally, Harper's friends have perused his novel. They bicker about who he used as models for his fictional characters. Things come to a boil when Lance suspects the worst. He believes that his sweetheart Mia may have bedded down with Harper, the guy he chose to serve as his best man. Reluctantly, Harper confesses, and the once philandering football star blackens his eye at their stag party and then threatens to throw him off the balcony. Lance calls off the wedding without warning Mia and then storms out of the party. Harper realizes grimly that he must patch things up. The next day everybody shows up at the church in their finest garb, but poor Mia has no idea why Lance is tardy."The Best Man" is the equivalent of Terry McMillan for guys. They form a closely-knit group of friends who have achieved success of their own right after college. Predictably, their reunion sparks old rivalries and bitter jealousies. Harper finds himself in trouble long before he arrives in the Big Apple to celebrate with his friends. Just as his publishing career is gaining momentum, Harper's girlfriend goads him about a commitment that he balks at giving. Quentin (Terrence Howard of "Iron Man") is a cynical career drifter who cannot find a woman for himself but who doles out advice to Julian Murch (Harold Perrineau, Jr., of "The Matrix Reloaded") about how to deal with his prima donna girlfriend Shelby (Melissa De Sousa of "Biker Boyz"). Finally, Lance has decided to settle down now that he has inked a $5-million contract to play for the New York Giants."The Best Man" towers as a four-star romantic comedy in the tradition of "The Big Chill" with characters who never get short-changed and an ending that is agreeably believable.

noralee "The Best Man "is my first buppie (i.e. Black Urban Professionals) movie. Taye Diggs alone is worth the price of admission -- he is charismatic and captures the screen -- and unlike the choices Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington either had to make or chose to make he is definitely sexy; this is almost a Chick Flick but it's actually about four guys.The movie was written and directed by a cousin of Spike Lee, who produced it, and oy did it need editing and trimming. Every scene in what is in effect a black, younger "Big Chill" dragged on too long and was mostly too straight-forwardly directed. There is a writing talent in there that needs help in a collaborative art form to be shown to best effect. The flashbacks didn't make musical sense (except one excellent use of a Stevie Wonder song) or hair style changes so I found it unspecific about time period or college we were flashing back to.The black audience laughed along with the male/female portrayals so I guess they weren't annoyed by the trash-talking guy who automatically called his bro's "n----r" or the acceptance of double-standards such that strong black professional women with active sex lives are sentenced to be old maids while only submissive or otherwise un-together black women are worth marrying. The cinematography was rich, particularly lingering on beautiful, chocolate-colored skin.It felt like a first movie the way first novels do -- but that was part of the theme as it's about a first-time novelist writing a roman a clef. But all the cast and the writer are clearly up and coming talents.(originally written 11/14/1999)

kvee10 I have been looking for the overnight bag Morris Chestnut had at the bachelor party in the movie. Someone please help me find it!!!! The movie was a must have on video and the cast was excellent! Nia Long was gorgeous!!! No matter how many times I watch it it's like the first. Are there anymore "black " films like this coming next year? Did this film receive many awards? How old is Nia Long in this movie? The female that slept w/ Terrance Howard was gorgeous also. What are her next movie project?What is her name? The girls at the party was fine!!!! Does the director have anymore projects pending? I give the entire movie an A+!!!!!!