The Best Man 1999

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The Best Man ★★★ 1999 (R)

Writer/director Malcolm D. Lee, cousin of coproducer Spike Lee, makes an impressive debut in this ensemble piece that plays like a hipper “Big Chill.” Novelist Harper (Diggs) heads to New York to attend the wedding of his best friend Lance (Chestnut) and the beautiful Mia (Calhoun). Unfortunately, his soontobereleased first novel is a thinly disguised autobiography which alludes to an affair between Harper and the bridetobe. As oth er college buddies and old flames show up for the nuptials, past issues and romantic tensions come bubbling back up to the surface. The cast gives good performances across the board, with Howard as the wisecracking and womanizing Quentin standing out in particular. 120m/C VHS, DVD . Taye Diggs, Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Melissa De Sousa, Harold Perrineau Jr., Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Victoria Dillard; D: Malcolm Lee; W: Malcolm Lee; C: Frank Prinzi; M: Stanley Clarke.