The Best Man Holiday

I'm not entirely sure what I just watched.  As I usually do, I watch the original film (if I haven't already) prior to reviewing the sequel.  In watching the previous film (1999's The Best Man), I was surprised by how un-racial it was.  It is essentially a bad romantic comedy script with an all black cast.  Other than the actors casually referring to each other with the "n-word," The Best Man could've just as easily been a white movie or Asian or Latin or multiple colors or whatever.  Despite being a mediocre rom-com, The Best Man was at least accessible to me.  Far too often with "black comedies," I feel like I just don't get it (whereas "black dramas" are totally relatable on a human level).

The Best Man Holiday rides a fine line between being racial and also having accessible, albeit unfunny, humor.  This time around, the color of the actors is constantly referenced.  Even the difference in the way light-skinned and dark-skinned blacks are treated comes up (in a throw-away joke that turned out way more poignant than the filmmakers intended).  Yet the presence of one character's new white boyfriend is not really dwelt on.  He's a momentary sight gag but is immediately accepted (but not for the poster leaving Nia Long to look lonely).  The film has a weird preoccupation with being black.  I don't mean the rapidly dwindling racism that they must face on occasion.  I just mean being this color.  Yet, the "n-word" is only used twice in the entire film, and it results in one of the only jokes that work.

But what is this sequel that arrived 14 years after the original about?  All the characters from The Best Man are back and each of them are mindbogglingly successful.  It's kinda ridiculous, but they are all the best in their respective fields.  So, Mia (the best stay at home mom) invites the entire cast of The Best Man to come visit for Christmas.  But every couple that arrives has its own set of problems to deal with.  Harper (the best author) and Robin (the best chef in New York) are having a baby but Harper can't seem to sell his new book and has lost his job teaching at NYU, but he refuses to tell Robin.  Julian and Candice (the best private school operators) are dealing with a major donor withdrawing his money.  This is due to a YouTube video of Candice accepting money for sex back before she met Julian.  Jordan (the best TV producer) and her new boyfriend, Brian (the best boyfriend), are dealing with Jordan's standoffish personality.  Shelby (the best reality TV star), who everyone hated in the original movie and should never have been invited, is starting to realize that she's a terrible mother.  Quint (the best brand manager) is starting to realize that the bachelor life is lonely.  Mia and Lance (the best football player) are dealing with Mia's cancer.  Since all these things are being kept a secret, many shenanigans and a lot of drama commences.

The Best Man Holiday is weirdly religious.  But it tries to be a raunchy sex comedy too.  For every time that Quint yells the word "titties," there's a discussion about faith.  For every viewing of Candace's prostitution video, there's mention of "a divine plan."  For every time women talk about how great black penises are, there's a grand, life-changing prayer.

This is not a good movie.  And despite having a lot of really, really weird stuff going on, it's not really "so bad it's good" either.  There are plenty of really good actors that I usually enjoy watching in The Best Man Holiday, but it's not the best showcase of them.  I didn't like this movie at all, but I'm sure that there is an audience for it (it made a fair amount of money in theaters).  Hopefully in 2027, the third movie will be better.

4 out of 10