The Best Man

Play trailer

The Best Man

R

Released Oct 22, 1999

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

71 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

After writing a soon-to-be bestselling novel, writer and committed bachelor Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs) attempts to hide the fact that his saucy new book is loosely based on the lives and loves of his tight-knit group of friends. Harper is set to be best man at his friend Lance's (Morris Chestnut) wedding, and all his friends will be in attendance. When an advance copy of the book makes its way into the hands of his ex-flame, Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long), Harper attempts to keep it under wraps.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

With a strong cast and a host of well-defined characters, The Best Man is an intelligent, funny romantic comedy that marks an impressive debut for writer/director Malcolm D. Lee.

Read Critics Reviews

Teresa Wiltz

Washington Post

Ultimately when it's all said and done, Best Man remains always a groomsman, never a groom: It backs down on its promise to both challenge and entertain, opting instead for the easy laugh--and the pat ending.

Nov 14, 2013

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Viewers who mistake the didacticism for stylistic weakness miss much of the point of this nicely toned movie.

Apr 11, 2012

Full Review

Time Out

So much for the under-powered plot, from tyro writer/director Malcolm D Lee, to which the tiresome unearthing of nice guy Harper's previous dalliances contributes little.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Milton Kent

Baltimore Sun

Lee comes at the topics refreshingly, taking the African-American male, one of the least explored groups in film, and placing him under a microscope, not for judgment, but for observation.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 14, 2013

Full Review

S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

Entertaining romantic drama ponders commitment, fidelity.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 15, 2013

Full Review

Cynthia Fuchs

Philadelphia City Paper

The wedding weekend entails predictable conflict and resolution, by way of some excellent performances.

May 3, 2012

Full Review

Read all reviews

Amy M

Watching this now in 2024 it bothers me that they call each other the N word.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

Full Review

Autumn M

The Best Man is a classic rom com from the 1990's. Some parts definitely did not age well, but overall the story was unique and well-paced. The twist to this classic story is that the main protagonist has written a book that is based on his relationships with his friends. The characters were multi-layered and had interesting motives and story arcs. I especially loved Terrence Howard's character as the lothario who tends to be right about some aspects of a healthy relationship. Overall, it was an enjoyable character-driven story about friendship and loyalty. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/24

Full Review

Rashida Babbs L

Malcolm D Lee Oscar winner 🏆 Spike Lee and School DAZE Tisha Campbell Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority chapter My heart and mind and my soul belongs to AKA

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/23

Full Review

Steve D

A lot of it works including the great cast but at times it comes off a bit too sexist for me.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Tywania S

This show is very nostalgic & gives off a serious 90s vibe! We definitely need/deserve a season 2!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Yep, 2022 just started and I figured I was better off not beating around the bush and getting this movie out of the way. Better than its Christmas sequel, The Best Man is cheesy and not quite as funny as I was expecting but its talented cast, well-defined characterisations, a show-stealing Terrence Howard and well-directed drama scenes make it a good, if not great, '90s romantic dramedy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Malcolm D. Lee

Director

Taye Diggs

Harper Stewart

Nia Long

Jordan Armstrong

Morris Chestnut

Lance Sullivan

Harold Perrineau

Julian Murch

Terrence Howard

Quentin

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Best Man: Official Clip - She's The One

2:57

The Best Man: Official Clip - Love Never Fails

3:21

The Best Man: Official Clip - Best Man Proposal

2:27

The Best Man: Official Clip - Best Man's Speech

2:54

The Best Man: Official Clip - Lose Control & Get Freaky

3:22

The Best Man: Official Clip - A Kiss To Her Frontal Lobe

3:02

The Best Man: Official Clip - Merry Murch

3:50

The Best Man: Official Clip - Don't Blame Me

3:05

The Best Man: Official Clip - She's My Queen

3:24

The Best Man: Official Clip - It's Karma, Baby

3:21

View more videos

Ezra

68%

92%

Ezra

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Ezra

Chi-Raq

82%

53%

Chi-Raq

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Chi-Raq

The Duel

63%

67%

The Duel

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Duel

Household Saints

72%

74%

Household Saints

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Household Saints

Somewhere in Queens

92%

92%

Somewhere in Queens

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Somewhere in Queens

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

After writing a soon-to-be bestselling novel, writer and committed bachelor Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs) attempts to hide the fact that his saucy new book is loosely based on the lives and loves of his tight-knit group of friends. Harper is set to be best man at his friend Lance's (Morris Chestnut) wedding, and all his friends will be in attendance. When an advance copy of the book makes its way into the hands of his ex-flame, Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long), Harper attempts to keep it under wraps.

Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Producer: Bill Carraro, Sam Kitt, Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Malcolm D. Lee
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.1M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

Most Popular at Home Now