The Best Man (1999) 3 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa. Written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee
You know a script is strong and universal when, after seeing a movie, you believe that the story will work with any group of actors of any nationality or ethnicity.
Thus is the case of "The Best Man," an impressive movie debut from writer-director Malcolm D. Lee. And, yes, he's related to that other Lee - Spike.
But nepotism was no factor here.
Malcolm D. Lee has written a romantic comedy that features some very well-defined, likable, but flawed characters.
The set-up for "The Best Man" is simple. Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs) has just learned that his first novel, a fictitious account of his friends and their times together at college, has been chosen to be an Oprah book of the month.
He is headed from Chicago to New York not only to celebrate his success, but to stand as best man to one of his college buddies, Lance (Morris Chestnut).
Unfortunately, Harper also learns that Jordan (Nia Long), another of his college-crowd friends, has obtained an advance copy of the book and that it is making the rounds of all his old gang.
An easy-to-digest premise that could have fallen flat if not handled correctly. But Lee displays a wonderful ear for dialogue and a deft pen for characterization that holds the audience and makes them care about these people.
What is interesting is despite the fact that all the main characters are black, color really is not an issue. True there is some talk about the sexual politics and gender expectations between black men and black women, but change a couple of words and this story could have been told in Chinese or Croatian.
The point is the situations and characters are easily recognizable and are common to the human condition.
The cast works together very smoothly, reacting off each other with the timing and precision of an Army drill team.
Diggs, of course, is one of the sexiest men in movies today. His Harper is a man walking a tightrope, waiting for the shoe to drop as his book is passed from friend to friend, revealing secrets that should have remained buried.
He is a man fearful of commitment. Despite being in a two-year, loving relationship with his girlfriend, Robin (Sanaa Lathan), he cannot take that final step toward marriage.
Long's Jordan is a career-driven woman regretting her one missed opportunity with Harper. She is a goal-oriented, self-assured person who also is not afraid to reveal a vulnerability.
Chestnut's Lance is a God-fearing, Bible-quoting football megastar. His is a character that could have been caricature, but Chestnut fleshes him out, showing not only his strength, but his pride and his weaknesses.
Rounding out the cast are Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa. This is the prettiest cast of actors to hit the screen in a long time. Yet their looks do not obscure their finely honed performances.
"The Best Man" is a most enjoyable motion picture, a date movie that will have you laughing as well as bring a tear or two to your eyes.
It is lively, it sparkles and is one of the most life-affirming movies to hit the screen in a long time. "The Best Man" is a gem - treasure it.
Bob Bloom is the movie critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or a cbloom@iquest.net
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