In the heartwarming sequel to the 1999 film "The Best Man," "The Best Man Holiday" brings together old friends for a Christmas reunion filled with laughter, drama, and unexpected twists. As Mia Sullivan gathers her husband Lance's former best friend, Harper, and their close-knit group of friends, the bonds of friendship are tested, and deep-seated secrets are revealed. With a talented cast and a compelling storyline, this film explores the complexities and joys of love, friendship, and the importance of cherishing the moments that matter most. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be inspired by this heartfelt holiday tale.
Storyline
Mia Sullivan, the wife of Lance, has invited their old group of friends to come together for Christmas. The group includes Harper Stewart and his pregnant wife Robyn, Julian "Murch" Murchison and his wife Candace Sparks, Mia's best friend Jordan Armstrong and her boyfriend Brian McDonald, Quentin "Q" Spivey, and Shelby Taylor.
Shelby, who is now a famous reality television star on The Real Housewives franchise, is a prominent figure on TV. Q is a successful brand manager with connections to famous celebrities.
Harper, who used to be a novelist, is now struggling with writer's block and financial troubles since he was fired from NYU. Robyn is also facing difficulties in conceiving. Harper's agent suggests that he writes a biography of Lance, his former best friend who is about to retire from football. Although they are on speaking terms, Lance keeps his distance from Harper. Reluctantly, Harper agrees to write the biography in secret.
Julian and Candace now have two daughters, and Julian runs a well-known school where Candace works as the head of admissions. However, their lives take a turn when their main donor withdraws funding after learning about Candace's past as a stripper. Julian then discovers a YouTube video of Candace stripping at a fraternity party and accepting money for sex, which he shows to Q.
Now, after 14 years, the whole gang reunites. As they catch up during dinner, old tensions resurface. Brian leaves for his family's annual Christmas gathering in Vermont, and Jordan tells him that she loves him but doesn't need him. He responds with the famous saying, "Everybody needs somebody."
One evening, the gang has a great time dancing and lip-syncing to "Can You Stand the Rain," which helps mend old wounds between Lance and Harper. Another night, Mia is found downstairs vomiting blood, and she reveals her terminal cancer diagnosis to Harper. She asks him to help Lance accept the truth.
The next morning at breakfast, Q and Shelby accidentally swap phones, and Shelby discovers Candace's video. She tries to manipulate Julian into resuming their relationship, but he refuses. This leads to a physical altercation between Shelby and Candace, causing Candace to leave with the children. However, she later returns and reconciles with Julian.
The women plan a spa day, but Mia collapses. This prompts Harper to share Mia's condition with everyone, and they all offer their support.
While Harper is wrapping Christmas gifts for the children, Lance finds Harper's iPad and journal in Mia's purse, along with a mock book cover for his unauthorized biography on the tablet. Lance confronts Harper with anger and tells him to stay away from him and his family forever. Mia tries to calm him down but is unsuccessful. Lance takes her home, leaving Q and Harper behind. Harper finally opens up about his financial troubles, and Q promises to help him out.
Lance is still upset about the unauthorized biography, but Mia challenges him to face reality. The underlying feud between the two men stems from Mia's affair with Harper, as seen in The Best Man. Mia removes her wig, forcing Lance to acknowledge the severity of her condition.
On Christmas Day, Lance has a big game. Brian returns to apologize to Jordan. Inspired by a phone call from Mia, Lance breaks the all-time rushing record. The men rush back home to Mia, who sadly succumbs to cancer.
During Mia's memorial service, Harper delivers a heartfelt eulogy. Lance later thanks him and affirms their friendship. Harper is encouraged by Lance's words, and they reconcile. All the friends reconcile, and Q and Shelby address their incompatibility. Shelby gives Julian $2 million to cover the lost funding without any expectations. Jordan's boyfriend Brian promises to help them through his contacts.
Robyn goes into labor, and Lance, Harper, and Candace try to rush her to the hospital but get stuck in traffic. Ultimately, Lance delivers Harper's baby girl in the backseat of an SUV.
Ten months later, Harper and Lance are closer than ever. Harper has successfully written Lance's biography titled "God, Family, and Football." Lance visits Harper and Robyn in NYC, and Q calls to announce his upcoming marriage, jokingly warning Harper not to have slept with his bride.
Cast
- Taye Diggs as Harper Stewart
- Sanaa Lathan as Robyn Stewart
- Nia Long as Jordan Armstrong
- Morris Chestnut as Lance Sullivan
- Harold Perrineau as Julian "Murch" Murchison
- Terrence Howard as Quentin "Q" Spivey
- Monica Calhoun as Mia Sullivan
- Melissa De Sousa as Shelby Taylor
- Regina Hall as Candace "Candy" Sparks
- Eddie Cibrian as Brian McDonald
- John Michael Higgins as Stan
- Isis Moore as Kennedy
- Riele Downs as Faith Sullivan
- Millie Davis as Hope
- Catherine Bruhier as Dr. Perkins
- Chris Williams as Dr. Nelson (voice)
- Shailyn Pierre-Dixon as Kelly
- Shailene Garnett as Jordan's Assistant
- Miles J Stroter as Lonnie
Production
In October 2011, it was announced that a sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man was in development. On February 22, 2013, the film was officially titled The Best Man Holiday. Principal photography began in April 2013 in Toronto, Ontario.
Reception
Box Office
The Best Man Holiday debuted with a strong box office performance, earning $10.7 million on its opening Friday and $12.4 million on Saturday. It ultimately made close to $30.6 million in its opening weekend and went on to earn a total of .5 million in the United States and .8 million worldwide.
Critical Response
The film holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its mix of laughs and drama. Metacritic gives the film a score of 59 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. CinemaScore reported that audiences gave the film an "A" grade, indicating positive word-of-mouth.
Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post gave the film 2.5 stars, describing it as a romp and a tearjerker. She commended the performances and the modern references in the storyline.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack features songs by R. Kelly, Jordin Sparks, Mary J. Blige, Monica, Ne-Yo, Marsha Ambrosius, John Legend, Emeli Sandé, and more.
Awards and Nominations
The Best Man Holiday received several nominations and awards from various award ceremonies, including the Acapulco Black Film Festival, BET Awards, Black Reel Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.
Sequel
In February 2021, Peacock ordered a limited series follow-up to The Best Man Holiday. Titled The Best Man: The Final Chapters, the series consists of ten episodes and features the original cast reprising their roles. The series premiered on December 22, 2022.
See Also
- List of black films of the 2010s
- List of Christmas films
References
In conclusion, The Best Man Holiday is a heartwarming and entertaining film that beautifully captures the highs and lows of friendship, love, and the holiday season. With a talented cast delivering powerful performances, a gripping storyline filled with twists and turns, and a mix of laughs and tears, this sequel to the beloved 1999 film is sure to leave audiences both satisfied and wanting more. Whether you're a fan of the original or just looking for a heartwarming holiday movie, The Best Man Holiday is a must-watch that will leave a lasting impact.
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