The Best Man Holiday: New Edition's Part

The Best Man Holiday is a 2013 comedy-drama film and sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man. The film sees the return of the original cast, including Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, and Nia Long. In the film, the college friends reunite after 15 years, and during a pyjama party, the male characters dance and lip-sync to New Edition's Can You Stand the Rain.

The cast's performance of Can You Stand the Rain

In the 2013 comedy-drama film "The Best Man Holiday", the cast performs an air band dance while lip-syncing to New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain?". This performance includes actors Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, and Taye Diggs. Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, Monica Calhoun, and Melissa De Sousa watch the quartet perform choreography from self-taught dancer Jamal Sims.

Chestnut, a longtime New Edition fan, revealed that one of his co-stars, Terrence Howard, never showed up for rehearsals. Chestnut also admitted that learning the choreography took him much longer than Diggs, who picked it up in just five minutes. Despite this, Chestnut believes that their performance went well, as "they didn't take a swing at me".

The performance of "Can You Stand the Rain?" serves as a pivotal scene in the movie, helping to patch up old wounds between the characters Lance Sullivan and Harper Stewart, played by Chestnut and Diggs, respectively. This talent show scene is one of Chestnut and Perrineau's favourite scenes from the "Best Man" franchise.

The men's lip-syncing and dancing

In the 2013 comedy-drama film "The Best Man Holiday", the male characters perform a lip-sync and dance routine to New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain". This scene occurs during a pyjama party, where the college friends, reuniting after 15 years, are catching up and old tensions are resurfacing.

The men's performance is a highlight of the film, with one review describing it as a "goofy rendition" and another as a cheesy but sincere treatment of the song's lyrics. The scene is also pivotal to the plot, as it helps to patch up old wounds between two of the characters, Harper and Lance.

The scene is also notable because the female characters' reactions are genuine, as director Malcolm D. Lee chose not to tell the actresses which song would be used.

The film's soundtrack includes other songs by prominent artists such as R. Kelly, Jordin Sparks, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend.

The song's impact on Lance and Harper's friendship

In the 2013 film "The Best Man Holiday", the New Edition song "Can You Stand the Rain" plays a pivotal role in the relationship between Lance and Harper. During a pyjama party, the group of friends, including Lance and Harper, dance and lip-sync to the song, allowing them to put aside their differences and reconnect. This scene is significant as it marks the beginning of the reconciliation between the two former best friends, who have had a strained relationship due to past conflicts.

The song acts as a catalyst for the healing of their friendship. As they sing and dance together, the joy and camaraderie of their college days resurface, reminding them of the bond they once shared. The lyrics of the song, which speak of enduring love and weathering storms, mirror the challenges their friendship has faced and the potential for renewal. This shared experience through music allows them to reconnect and rebuild trust, setting the stage for future heart-to-heart conversations and a deeper understanding of each other.

The impact of the song on their friendship is evident in the scenes that follow. Harper, touched by the gesture, later finds Mia, Lance's wife, vomiting blood and learns about her terminal cancer diagnosis. He promises to help Lance accept her illness, showing a newfound empathy and willingness to support his friend. This marks a turning point in their relationship, as they begin to rebuild their friendship and put the past behind them.

The song becomes a symbol of their renewed connection and sets the tone for the rest of the film, which explores the complexities of their friendship, including the revelation of Mia's responsibility for their feud due to her one-night stand with Harper. Despite the challenges and secrets that threatened to tear them apart, the shared experience of singing and dancing to "Can You Stand the Rain" becomes a cornerstone of their reconciliation, reminding them of the enduring nature of true friendship.

The impact of the song on Lance and Harper's friendship is long-lasting. Even ten months later, the two are closer than ever, with Harper having written Lance's biography, further solidifying their bond. The song, therefore, acts as a catalyst for the restoration of their friendship, paving the way for deeper understanding, forgiveness, and a stronger connection.

The song's significance to the film's plot

In the 2013 comedy-drama film "The Best Man Holiday," the New Edition song "Can You Stand the Rain" plays a pivotal role in the plot and the development of the characters' relationships.

During a pajama party, the male characters in the film, a group of college friends reuniting after 15 years, dance and lip-sync to "Can You Stand the Rain." This scene serves as a lighthearted and nostalgic moment for the friends, allowing them to reconnect and relive their college days. It also sets the tone for the rest of the scene, as the song's lyrics and mood reflect on enduring love and friendship through challenging times.

The song's significance becomes more profound as it helps to mend the rift between two of the friends, Lance and Harper. Their friendship has been strained due to Lance keeping Harper at a distance, and Harper's secret plan to write a biography about him. However, when the group performs "Can You Stand the Rain," Lance's wife, Mia, witnesses the performance and recognizes its impact on her husband and his old friend. This leads to a turning point in their relationship, as Mia, who is battling terminal cancer, later confides in Harper and asks him to help Lance accept her diagnosis.

The use of "Can You Stand the Rain" adds depth to the complex dynamics between the characters and highlights the power of music in healing old wounds and rekindling friendships. It becomes a catalyst for Harper and Lance's reconciliation, setting the stage for their eventual closeness by the end of the film.

Furthermore, the choice of this particular song by the director, Malcolm D. Lee, was intentional. Lee believed that "music is essential to the entirety of a film-going experience." He selected songs that not only enhanced the movie's atmosphere but also inspired the creation of specific scenes and the overall screenplay. "Can You Stand the Rain" is an excellent example of how Lee wove music into the fabric of "The Best Man Holiday," creating a more immersive and emotionally resonant experience for the audience.

The song's role in the film's emotional impact

The songs in The Best Man Holiday play a pivotal role in creating an emotional impact and enhancing the film's pivotal moments. The movie, a 2013 comedy-drama, sees college friends reunite after 15 years, and as expected, old rivalries and romances are reignited.

The song "Can You Stand the Rain" by New Edition is a central part of the film. The male characters sing this to the female characters, and it becomes a pivotal moment in the story as it helps to mend the strained relationship between Lance and Harper. This scene adds a layer of emotion as the women's reactions are genuine, as the director chose not to tell them which song would be used. The song's lyrics and melody, coupled with the characters' performance, create a heartwarming moment that showcases the power of music in healing old wounds.

The film's soundtrack also includes a range of Christmas songs, such as "Christmas Time to Me," "Someday at Christmas," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." These songs not only set the holiday mood but also provide a poignant backdrop to the characters' complex relationships and personal struggles. The juxtaposition of festive cheer and emotional turmoil adds depth to the film, highlighting the importance of songs in shaping the narrative and enhancing the audience's experience.

Additionally, the inclusion of "Can You Keep Up with Me?" and "A Very Woody Christmas" adds to the film's emotional depth. These songs, while not as prominent as "Can You Stand the Rain," offer a more intimate look into the characters' lives, showcasing their vulnerabilities and personal challenges. The songs provide a platform for the characters to express their emotions, creating a deeper connection with the audience and adding to the overall emotional impact of the film.

The Best Man Holiday effectively uses music to enhance the narrative, highlight pivotal moments, and evoke emotions from its audience. The songs chosen for the film, whether upbeat or somber, contribute to the story's impact, making it a memorable and moving experience for viewers.

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