If you’re headed to the movies this weekend, we’re sure you know that The Best Man Holiday is bringing love and friendship on the forefront in African American households.
While the plot dances on predictability and never-in-a-million-years happenstance, you’re still surprised at the inevitable foreshadowed within the first half of the film’s development. After coming in second place (Thor won first) during opening weekend, this holiday film is reseting the bar of African American filmmaking. We’ve shed some tears, laughed a lot, and fell in love all over again. Here are 14 reasons why you must support this film.
The Cast
Even if the movie was a complete bust, director Malcolm Lee made up for it in casting. The actors off-screen chemistry shined the brightest.
Greek Life
Greek life isn’t always displayed in black films but it’s very much apart of the college experience. It was a subtle but strong message Lee sent to his viewers about sisterhood and life devotion through the cast that makes even those that pledge MPM (Me Phi Me) want that bond.
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Comedy
From the pauses after awkward moments to the insensitive responses following traumatic scenes you’ll be doubled over in laughter. Look out for any scene with Terrence Howard in it, his crude humor will steal any scene.
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Fights
There are two fights and both are nothing short of hilarious. Unlike the 99 films climatic brawl between best friends, both quarrels in the sequel will have you doubled over in laughter.
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Friendship
Some friendships are here for a season while others last a lifetime. This movie capitalizes on the importance of having an unbreakable bond. You may not speak to your friends every day or see them at all, but if you find a friendship special like the one displayed in this movie, they will be there exactly when you need them and that’s what matters most.
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Vanilla Love
While being surrounded by very attractive African American men, Eddie Cibrian meshed well within the cast’s chemistry and he’s extremely easy on the eyes.
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Sequel Quality
Aside from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit sequels rarely live up or surpass the original. But with the 14 year gap between the 1999 release, Lee was able to craft a script that makes us immediately re-fall in love with the cast and appreciate the newest film over the first one.
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He lost 30 pounds and got in great shape to play Lance Sullivan again. At 44 years old he puts most 20 year old men to shame. Making a trip to the theaters just to see his chiseled chest on the big screen is reason enough for any woman.
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Marriage
Nothing is stronger than the love between man and woman. Through the relationships between Lance and Mia, Harper and Robyn, and Julian and Candace, Lee focused immensely on black marriage in this film—something that isn’t always seen within Black films.
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Positive Portrayal
More often than not black filmmakers forget to praise our accomplishments. Thanks to Lee, we see a group of professional black characters dealing with issues outside of baby mama drama, drugs, murder, and all those other problems we are always plagued to address.
Fashion
Everyone looked fashionably great in this film. From Sanaa’s cute pregnant attire to Taye Digg’s signature hats; the wardrobe department for this film made sure each character’s personality was also displayed in their style of dress.
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Soundtrack
How many movie soundtracks—outside of musicals—do we really love? This may be a first where we will add a movie’s album in our holiday music rotation. Just in time for the holiday season, the artists featured on this album give a new twist to some of our old time holiday favorites.
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Support
Even if you aren’t a fan of black films, like so many unfortunately are, you should still give The Best Man Holiday a chance. It grants opportunites for more filmmakers to have major studio backings for more diverse film projects.
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Original Actors
Fourteen years after the first movie, the actors and the director reunited after a dinner held by the director to bring their story of love, friendship, romance, and comedy to the big screen.