****MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**** This movie was great. I never get tired of seeing it. I really like Quentin's character. He stole every scene he was in. I kind of wish they had made a spin off with his character because he was really interesting. I would have liked to have seen the relationship he had with his father because from the way him and Harper talked it seemed his father was always on him about choosing a career and the last thing he needed was for Harper to be doing that to him. Like he didn't need another father figure who didn't approve of his lifestyle. With the way the movie ended I think it would have been good to develop a story between him and Shelby. See where that would go. Also show him in his playing ways and also show him playing the guitar a lot more like he was working on putting together a record, the way he played was tight. But if they were to make a movie on just his character only Terrence Howard could play him and only Malcolm Lee would be able to pull off a great job directing it.

I was surprised to see how little attention this film garnered, despite it's amazing cast and intelligent script. Character based scripts walk a delicate line, but somehow most seem to reap in undeserving praises (St. Elmo's Fire, The Big Chill). Not to sound like a self-righteous broken record, but I truly believe "The Best Man" was passed over because it happened to have an African American cast. It was instantly labeled a "black" movie, before anyone bothered to watch more than the trailer, which is a crying shame, because what everyone missed out on was a fine film. The characters range from classic (Morris Chestnut's Lance) to surprisingly fresh (Terrence Howard's Quentin), all with very distinct personalities, yet believable connections. (Am I the only one who is so sick of using the "went to college together" excuse for why some film characters are friends, despite the obvious fact that in reality the "cool rebel" doesn't hang with the "prudish nerd" and so on.)Not only does the film have refreshing takes on the inter-dimensional relationships of characters, it's not afraid to face the characters honestly, to show each individual's flaws...they have depth, soul, contradictions, much like REAL PEOPLE! Amazing! The themes are universal; friends, love, mistakes, forgiveness. The dialogue is witty, yet not overly done to sound like "movie dialogue" that no one in the real world speaks. And though the race of the characters does not matter in this movie, I applaud Malcolm D. Lee for writing a film featuring black characters that are all successful, independent and intelligent. No one is rapping or drug dealing, no one is blaming the man for setbacks. The characters actually represent the MAJORITY of the black community, just regular people, living their lives. How refreshing from the Hollywood stereotypes, believed by suburban white America, that every successful black man is a rapper or a basketball player and every other one a criminal or janitor. It's a shame this film didn't make for money, perhaps then we'd see more of this trend, movies based on script rather than race.Though I loved it, this film probably won't change your life. It's not one that will ever be considered one of the best films ever (though I think it took bold steps in closing the race gap in film). And I'm not saying it's an absolute must-see for everyone. But for discerning viewers with perhaps some taste and hunger for something a little different, I recommend you treat yourself to something that you probably haven't seen in a long time: a simply good movie.

"The Best Man" has one of the most visually attractive female casts that I've seen in recent years. Not only are they eye-candy, but also strong female roles played by excellent actresses. Often hard to find is a film that presents both so well. Equally impressive was the bond between the main four male characters who, while different, are all intellectual and successful men. The combination of the two gave me the real feeling of quality characters.As a big fan of Sanaa Lathan and Nia Long, I heavily looked forward to seeing them together in a film, but I was surprised by many other outstanding actors and actresses who really gave the film its boost. Morris Chesnut was excellent as the groom-to-be, Monica Calhoun excellent as the bride-to-be, and Taye Diggs did a very nice job with a softer and more reserved character than many of his other roles.A very interesting script, a quality soundtrack, and well played roles made this film a winner for me. In some ways I was almost disappointed by parts of the ending of the film, but it did not really affect my overall enjoyment. Great movie - 8/10

Here is a film that read like a High School soap opera. I felt myself constantly exclaiming "you're kidding me!" Everything was forced. Even the characters' names seemed to be orchastrated so deliberately that I expected the next few character names to be Scout, Champ, Sport, and Regan. Luckily the film ended before that could happen. You would think that the writer of the script got a cramp in his arm and had to stop before he could resolve the plot. The plot: A critically aclaimed author leaves his girlfriend at home to attend his football star buddies wedding to a woman whom with the author is secretly in love with. The aforementioned novel, however, is a chronical of an afair had betweent the author and the football players current innocent fiancee. The entire film is spent on the characters running around trying to figure who does and does not know the actual connotation of "the book". Let me get this straight: a football player and his buddy beat one another crapless, wrestle, and argue with each other for the effection and honor of a sweet innocent woman when both men previously mentioned are whores. Wait, let me get this straight: the author leaves his girlfriend, tries to hook up with an old friend, maintains a strong love for the fiancee, and proposes to his girlfriend at the films end. There really needs to be a sequal to show how al lof these people are in rehab or on Jerry Springer or maybe seeing some type of counselor. I know I'm seeking professional help after the viewing of this film. Watch it. I shouldn't have to suffer alone.