There were alot of mixed reviews about ‘The Best Man Holiday’, but like all things there is something to learn from them. These are a few hidden lessons we saw in, ‘The Best Man Holiday’-
There Are No Good Secrets In a Marriage (or Friendship)
In both films, Harper (Taye Diggs) made his share of mistakes, and they all evolved around keeping secrets from the ones he loved and hiding his pain. When Harper didn’t tell his pregnant wife Robin (Sanaa Lathan) that he’d lost his job, was secretly planning a new book on Lance (Morris Chestnut) and still quite close to old crush Jordan (Nia Long), he betrayed her three times over, and it nearly broke her heart. Plus, not revealing to his friends that he was struggling financially and needed help, only made it more difficult for him to truly embrace the holiday spirit. The truth always sets us free, even when it’s tough to swallow.‘Mother’ Isn’t Just a Title, It’s a Job
Raise your hand if you wanted to give Shelby (Melissa de Sousa) a good talkin’ to the moment you saw how poorly she interacted with her daughter. Right, us too. Having children is a gift, a blessing and the best job you’ll ever be hired to do. If you don’t put in the work, who will? Loving and cultivating your children is never something that should go on the backburner – it’s your number one responsibility. Case closed.
A Real Man Will Forgive and Forget Your Past Mistakes
We already knew Julian (Harold Perrineau) loves his wife Candace (Regina Hall) for who she is and not in spite of her past as a stripper, but when we watched them endure their latest struggle (her racy pay-for-play sex encounter posted to YouTube), there was a bigger takeaway: Everyone has a past—some more wholesome than others—but the true test of undying love in a marriage is about always being big enough not to hold judgments against the person you love, even when old skeletons fall out of the closet.Attempting to Destroy Someone Else’s Happiness Will Only Deplete Yours
Shelby obviously wasn’t over Julian, and the fact that he chose to spend his life with Candace and not her. It happens, and it’s understandable. But then she chose to spend her time together with the gang meddling in Julian and Candace’s marital woes and flirting and flaunting to grab his attention and she wound up looking in the mirror and seeing all the ugliness inside that was outshining her beauty. When someone tries to hurt an ex they feel betrayed them by ruining their new relationship, they lose twice.You Don’t Have to Be Alone to Be Independent
Jordan never compromised on her ambitions and her dreams, and in return, she achieved the career success that she deserved. Yet her victory felt bittersweet because in the process she somehow came to believe that never needing the love of a man was one of the reasons she made it to the top. Wrong. Her hard work got her there, but as she learned, it’s love that fills up the rest of your cup – be it from friendship, family or a relationship. Blocking those blessings in favor of other wins will only leave you feeling empty and alone with your success.
[Continue reading at Essence]
I loved Best Man Holiday. The Best Man is one of my favorite movies and I think this was a good sequel. Shelby not being over Julian after 14 years kind of weirded me out. She reminds me of my grandmother. She and my grandfather divorced in 1979 and to this day, whenever I talk about my grandfather she has to say something hateful or negative about him. I think her bitterness over whatever led to the demise of their marriage has kept her from getting as far along in life as she could be. Also I think the fact that my grandfather has been married twice more, is a professor and dean and lives in a million dollar house is like salt in her wounds. I think Shelby being bitter over Julian after 14 years is crazy just like my grandmother still being bitter after 35 years is crazy.
I too loved Best Man Holiday. Beyond a well written script and thorough portrayals, it was a beautiful interpretation of love, especially Black love, friendships and the trials of life. I'm sure many of us could either relate to the characters….expired loves, mother by default, self absorbed, prideful, and so on!!!
Thanks for the tip! I had yet not seen Best man Holiday, but I certainly plan to now.
One thing I learned was although a good movie, it's just that, nothing inspirational to carry from it. but I was always curious as to why Nia Long asked to have a caucasian male lover in the movie.
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