The Best Man (1999/I)

Director:

Malcolm D. Lee

Writer (WGA):

Malcolm D. Lee (written by)

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Harper's autobiographical novel is almost out, his girlfriend Robin desires commitment, and he's best man at the wedding of Lance...

Plot Keywords:

Gender Conflict | Friendship Between Men | Marriage | Black Writer | Trust

Awards:

6 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Taye Diggs	...	Harper Stewart
Nia Long	...	Jordan Armstrong
Morris Chestnut	...	Lance Sullivan
Harold Perrineau	...	Julian Murch
Terrence Howard	...	Quentin
Sanaa Lathan	...	Robin
Monica Calhoun	...	Mia Morgan
Melissa De Sousa	...	Shelby
Victoria Dillard	...	Anita
Regina Hall	...	Candy
Jim Moody	...	Uncle Skeeter
Jarrod Bunch	...	Wayne
Stu 'Large' Riley	...	Fandango
Liris Crosse	...	Stripper
Lady Madonna	...	Stripper

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexuality.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:S | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #36703) | Iceland:L (original rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Harper's girlfriend gets out of the bath at the beginning of the movie she is wearing a thong or a bathing suit.

Quotes:

Jordan Armstrong: So?
Mia Morgan: So... what?
Jordan Armstrong: So, what? Mia!
Mia Morgan: Jordan, good girls never tell.
Jordan Armstrong: Bitch, don't make me hurt you.
Mia Morgan: [Smirks] What?
Jordan Armstrong: [Glares at Mia]
Mia Morgan: What we shared was as sweet and as endearing as a forehead kiss. It was what I wanted. It was what I needed. He was a gentleman, and a friend, and I will always love him for that.

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Soundtrack:

Shit, Damn, Motherfucka

Finally done right.

I was very impressed with The Best Man. As an avid moviegoer, this was the very first Black movie made in recent decades that was done right. As a first major endeavor for Malcolm Lee, my hat is off to him for portraying young, successful, upper-middle class African-Americans in a solid storyline that was at once heart-warming, funny, serious at times, but light at others. Overall... simply very well done. The character's development was executed eloquently and, at times so subtly, I nearly missed some things. The cinematography, costumes and sets were all as they should be: done with class.

This young, successful, upper-middle class African-American says thanks for finally doing it right.