THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY

Movie Review by Janice Jones

This month’s movie review will be on a movie I have found so fascinating that I have seen it four times in the two weeks it has been in theatres.  And in all honesty I still do not believe I have had my fill of it yet.  The Best Man Holiday, which debuted November 15, 2013, is an extraordinary film sequel for a variety of reasons.  One of the reasons is it is one of the first movies I have ever seen where the entire cast from the first movie comes back for the next one.  Everyone returns for this film, Morris Chestnut as Lance Sullivan and Monica Calhoun as his wife Mia; Taye Diggs as Harper Stewart and Sanaa Lathan as his wife Robyn; Harold Perrineau as Julian Murch and Regina Hall as his wife Candace (Candy); Melissa De Sousa as Shelby and Terrance Howard as Quentin Spivey.

The original film, which debuted in 1999, is based on a friendship between all of these characters that started while they were in college, with the exception of Robyn who later became Harper’s girlfriend.  Harper Stewart wrote a novel that promises to be a block buster sensation titled Unfinished Business. The book is seemingly the story of his college days with his friends, but the characters are thinly disguised to be purely fictional.  The friends, however, have little trouble discerning that Harper is capitalizing on the colorful antics of their lives.  And while the book does turn out to be a success it comes close to ruining his relationships with his friends.  The sequel is about an opportunity to repair and rebuild those relationships. The movie is rated R, so there are some compromising language and scenes.  However it is filled with humor, love, forgiveness, and very, very realistic situations that are played out beautifully.  The realness in this movie is something I think we can all relate to even if we do agree with all of the outcomes.  (I personally love all the outcomes myself).

I listed all the actors and the roles they play in the film.  But there is a character or perhaps more of a very tangible characteristic that keeps me going back over and over to see the movie to see.  That character/characteristic is Faith.  One of Lance and Mia’s children is actually named Faith.  And while she did an excellent job in her role, I’m talking about the God quality, the Fruit of the Spirit, Faith.  Faith has an absolute, uncompromised, unequivocal, unshakeable role in this film.  For me the Faith in and of itself, of Lance and Mia through a very difficult trial, should win an Oscar. 

My Bible’s concordance describes faith as reliance, loyalty or complete trust in God or someone else.  One of the definitions on Dictionary.com is belief that is not based on proof.   These descriptions were epically and wonderful displayed in this masterful film. Lance and Mia showed that even when they did not understand what God was doing, even when they did not like what God was doing, even when what God was doing was emotionally painful and almost impossible to bear, they would still trust God.  My favorite scenes in the movie were when Lance or Mia were either on their knees praying or when lifting their hands and eyes to God in total praise, worship and faith. I have cried during those scenes all four times I have scene the movie.  They break me every time.

Most people who do not believe in God/Christ rest their faith on science.  Science says it is impossible for a person to move a mountain.  Jesus says, “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”  Matthew 17:20.  Science says that no person can walk on water.  Jesus said, “Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strongwind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.   Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:28-31.  Science says seeing is believing.  God says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.  Science said that my mother’s liver was damaged beyond repair.  Her blood would not clot and there was nothing else they could do to fix it.  Therefore, she would bleed to death and be dead by the morning.  Jesus said, “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”  Mark 5:34.  My mother awoke the next morning fully alive and wanting to go home. 

I recommend this movie wholeheartedly.  It is my prayer that you go see it and take someone with you.  I pray that you, like me, find increased faith in the Master after viewing this film. 

Hebrews 11:6, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”