In Theaters This Month: The Best Man Holiday

The estate is inhabited by football star Lance Sullivan (Chestnut), his wife Mia (Monica Calhoun) and their four young children. Lance and Mia are hosting seven college pals for a few days of what is meant to be luxurious relaxation and yuletide celebration.

But amid the tree trimming and dinner parties, secrets are exposed, old wounds reopen and pummeling ensues.

Harper Stewart (Diggs) wrote a best seller about his college years, but is in a writing slump. To make matter worse, he just lost his day job. He's understandably worried about the future given that his wife, Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), is due to give birth on New Year's Eve.

His agent (John Michael Higgins) suggests he write a book about his famous footballer buddy Lance, so Harper conducts covert research during the weekend.

Lance has clear-cut values: God, family and football. But he sure can hold a grudge. He's never forgiven Harper for having a one-night stand with Mia back in college. He kneels in prayer quite a bit during the movie.

And speaking of falling on one's knees, there is a lovely rendition of O Holy Night by the only occasionally seen children of the revelers.

In contrast, a scene depicting all the couples coupling to the accompaniment of The Christmas Song seems a weird marriage of visuals and musical accompaniment. Chestnuts roasting hardly seem the lyrics to inspire thoughts of carnal pleasures. But maybe chestnuts light the fires of writer-director Malcolm D. Lee. Or he figured a holiday-inspired romantic montage was necessary to gird us for the nasty spats and resentments that ensue.

Some funny lines (including a risqué interpretation of the term "stimulus package") and comical repartee are interspersed among the maudlin moments. But too many major life events and career climaxes are packed into these few days. Despite some likable performances from this appealing ensemble cast — and Diggs stands above the pack — sentimental schmaltz competes with slapstick silliness for an uneven result.

The contrived story suffers from holiday season clutter. It's like the movie version of The 12 Days of Christmas: Eleven players footballing, seven friends ladling food for the needy, four buddies dancing, two ladies fighting and one baby born in a speeding SUV.


Reviewed by USA Today.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com