The Best Man

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The Best Man

R

1999

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

86%

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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 the 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.

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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.

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Teresa Wiltz

Washington Post

Nov 14, 2013

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.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Apr 11, 2012

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

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Kay Dickinson

Sight & Sound

Dec 2, 2002

In his earnestness Lee forgets that we need engagingly defective objects of mockery for comedy to work and instead falls back on characters who exhibit no demeaning flaws.

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Milton Kent

Baltimore Sun

Nov 14, 2013

3/4

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.

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S. Jhoanna Robledo

Common Sense Media

Mar 15, 2013

4/5

Entertaining romantic drama ponders commitment, fidelity.

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Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

Dec 11, 2006

A festive few hours that often delights.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 27, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 22, 2025

Funny in 2 hours even. The worldwide gross is $34,500,000.00 over a budget of $9,000,000.00.

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Autumn M

@RT26919073 Jun 23, 2024

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.

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Steve D

@RT35616104 Feb 8, 2023

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

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Jan 4, 2022

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.

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jizzy b

@RT30696576 Oct 17, 2021

The prelude of two. Very good film, story, cast and production really good. A cult classic for a generation.

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Malcolm D. Lee

Director

Taye Diggs

Harper Stewart

Nia Long

Jordan Armstrong

Morris Chestnut

Lance Sullivan

Harold Perrineau

Julian Murch

Terrence Howard

Quentin

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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 the 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

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