The Best Man Holiday Review
RYAN: This is the sequel to The Best Man and it’s the first movie I’ve ever seen that made be feel a little bitter toward movies because I normally go along for the ride in any context of a movie but this one had me rolling my eyes a lot. It tries to be everything at once – Drama, comedy, romantic comedy, sports film, Christmas movie, etc… It’s too much and becomes ridiculous. There are some great moments but it then borders obnoxious.
CHUCK: I kept thinking it was, like, the first draft of a Nora Ephron film that never got made. Everyone is pretty imperfect and there’s so much Christmas plaid happening. I agree there were some good, entertaining moments. The cast is fantastic; but sadly, the script doesn’t justify all the talent.
RYAN: If the film would have ended halfway through, it could have been a great movie. All of the comedic parts play incredibly well. It’s a funny movie. It does put you in the Christmas spirit and the cast is indeed phenom. Each actor has his or her own moment but my favorite thing about this movie… was the house.
CHUCK: (laughs)
RYAN: It’s the biggest house I’ve seen on screen since Tara in Gone with the Wind.
CHUCK: It’s a beautiful house but that’s a sad statement if the production design was the best part of the movie for you.
RYAN: I love the women – their wardrobe is good. And they have some funny Real Housewives and Jerry Springer-type scenes.
CHUCK: It’s great seeing Nia Long, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan… all so beautiful and fantastic but there are too many characters with too much going on.
RYAN: Every couple had such a big storyline and aside from them all being friends, together for Christmas, there wasn’t enough intersection and flow. It was like a big daytime soap opera. And there are no questions left at the end. Every storyline is wrapped up in a perfect bow. Sometimes you want that, but it didn’t work well in this film.
CHUCK: Not every character needed as much to do. And some things didn’t even make sense – some of the characters in the background or certain subplots…
RYAN: That’s the thing – nothing was treated like a subplot – there were too many different plots happening at once – that’s why it’s so wonky. That being said, Taye Diggs is great and has the best smile on earth.
CHUCK: It’s ridiculous.
RYAN: Terence Howard is the big comedian in the ensemble.
CHUCK: He’s excellent. Eddie Cibrian pops in for a bit. I love Nia Long.
RYAN: She’s great. Some of the confrontation, hostility and fights were good but the sad scenes didn’t play well. They were sappy and desperate. Then it felt corny and annoying. Did you cry?
CHUCK: Not at all and I usually do at a Kleenex commercial so that tells you something about the drama in the film.
RYAN: It’s melodramatic and forced. But the comedy and rom com was fantastic so it’s not a must see but also not a total loss.
