The Best Man Holiday is a 2013 comedy-drama film that serves as a sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man. The film follows a group of college friends who reunite after 15 years during the Christmas holidays and explores how their rivalries and romances are reignited. The ending of the film revolves around the death of Mia (Monica Calhoun), the wife of Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut), who is battling terminal cancer. Her death serves as a catalyst for healing and the rekindling of bonds among the friends. The film also showcases the fragility of life and the impact of Mia's legacy on her friends. The ending reveals that Harper (Taye Diggs) and his wife Robyn (Sanaa Lathan) have their first child, a baby girl named Mia Elizabeth Stewart, in honour of their late friend.
What You'll Learn
Mia's terminal cancer diagnosis
In the 2013 film The Best Man Holiday, Mia Sullivan (played by Monica Calhoun) is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The film follows a group of college friends who reunite after 14 years apart. Mia and her husband Lance (Morris Chestnut) treat each day as if it were their last, working together to bring their friends together to celebrate Christmas.
Mia's illness brings the friends together and helps to heal old rivalries and romances. Despite this, Mia passes away shortly after the holiday, and her death becomes a catalyst for the group to confront their unresolved conflicts, ultimately strengthening their bonds.
The film ends with Harper and Robyn (Sanaa Lathan) giving birth to a baby girl on Christmas Day, naming her Mia Elizabeth Stewart in tribute to their late friend.
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Harper's biography of Lance
Harper Stewart, a writer, is the central character in the 2013 film The Best Man Holiday. In the film, Harper is experiencing writer's block and financial difficulties. He and his wife, Robyn, are also trying for a baby through fertility treatments.
Harper's agent suggests he write a biography of his former best friend, Lance Sullivan, a New York Giants superstar who is set to retire. Harper and Lance have a complicated history, as Lance had been angry with Harper for having a one-night stand with his then-fiancée, Mia, years earlier. Despite their strained relationship, Harper agrees to write the biography in secret.
Harper and Robyn are invited by Mia to spend Christmas with her and Lance, along with their other college friends. Harper uses the opportunity to discreetly gather research for the biography, while also attempting to mend his friendship with Lance. However, Lance discovers Harper's plans and is furious. Despite this, Harper delivers a heartfelt eulogy at Mia's funeral, and the two eventually reconcile.
Harper eventually writes Lance's biography, titled "God, Family and Football". The book is a success, and Harper and Lance's friendship is stronger than ever.
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Old tensions resurface
In "The Best Man Holiday", old college friends reunite after 14 years. As the friends catch up, old tensions resurface. Harper Stewart, who is facing writer's block, financial difficulties, and the prospect of fatherhood, attempts to mend his friendship with former best friend, Lance Sullivan, while also secretly researching him for a biography.
Lance keeps Harper at a distance, still angry about a past betrayal. Harper had a one-night stand with Lance's fiancée, Mia, in college, a fact that Mia later admits to Lance, taking responsibility for their feud. Harper's attempts to reconcile with Lance are further complicated by his wife Robyn's struggle to bond with Jordan, a former flame of Harper's.
Meanwhile, Shelby, a prominent reality TV star, tries to rekindle her relationship with Julian "Murch" Murchison, whose wife, Candace Sparks, is a former stripper. Julian's main donor withdraws funding from his school when he learns of Candace's past, and he desperately tries to keep a YouTube video of her stripping from being discovered by his wife and the rest of the group.
As the friends navigate these tensions, they are also dealing with the revelation that Mia, who has invited them all to celebrate Christmas, is battling terminal cancer.
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Jordan's new boyfriend
Jordan Armstrong is a producer at MSNBC, and has won several Emmys for her work. She is played by Nia Long in the film. Jordan is described as "career-obsessed" by Robyn, Harper's wife, who struggles to bond with Jordan due to her history with Harper. Jordan is also described as the "one that got away" by the same source.
Jordan's boyfriend, Brian McDonald, is played by Eddie Cibrian. He is described as a "white boyfriend" and a "tall, vanilla swagger latte" by Candace. Jordan's relationship with Brian is strained, and she dismissively tells him over the phone that she doesn't need him when he has to leave to visit his family in Vermont for Christmas. However, Brian does arrive to see Jordan, and she later apologises to him for her harsh words.
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Candace's past is revealed
In the 2013 comedy-drama "The Best Man Holiday", college friends reunite after 15 years apart. The character Candace Sparks, played by Regina Hall, is married to Julian "Murch" Murchison, played by Harold Perrineau. Candace has a past as a stripper, and this is revealed when Julian's main donor finds a YouTube video of her stripping and accepting money for sex at a fraternity party. Julian desperately tries to hide this from Candace and the rest of the group, but eventually, Candace confronts him about it.
Candace's past causes tension in her marriage to Julian. Julian's ex-girlfriend, Shelby Taylor, is also at the reunion, and she tries to coerce Julian into rekindling their relationship. Candace confronts Shelby, and they get into a physical altercation. Candace leaves with the children but later returns and reconciles with Julian.
The revelation of Candace's past is a significant moment in the film, as it showcases the challenges and complexities of the characters' lives and relationships. It also adds to the broader themes of the film, which include love, friendship, faith, and forgiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
The film follows a group of college friends who reunite after 15 years apart. They discover that old rivalries and romances quickly resurface.
The group's friend Mia passes away, and her death becomes a catalyst for healing and the rekindling of friendships. Harper and his wife Robyn also give birth to a baby girl, who they name Mia in tribute.
The film explores love, friendship, faith, and forgiveness. It also touches on the fragility of life and how it can be gone in an instant.
The film stars Morris Chestnut as Lance Sullivan, Taye Diggs as Harper Stewart, Sanaa Lathan as Robyn, Terrence Howard as Quentin Spivey, and Monica Calhoun as Mia, among others.
Yes, The Best Man Holiday is a 2013 sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man.