Best Man, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3 1/2

In this new romantic comedy, Harper (Taye Diggs) is an up and coming writer whose first novel is due to be released in a few weeks. He is going to spend the weekend in New York City with his friends from college. They are all in town for the wedding of Mia (Monica Calhoun) and Lance (Morris Chestnut). However, Harper doesnt know that his friends have gotten a preview copy of his book and are passing it around for everyone to read. It becomes plain to all of the friends that the characters in the book are all based on them. But Harper has a mysterious love interest in the book that no one seems to remember. Who was this woman, and what will his friends say when they find out? Harper desperately wants to keep his secret and therefore goes to incredible lengths to make sure his friends dont find out. THE BEST MAN pulls viewers in and makes them feel for Harper and his precarious situation. Both funny and touching, it possesses the two qualities every romantic comedy should.

One character constantly proclaims that he cannot understand how anyone could let an invisible being like God be in control of their lives. He is very interested in controlling his own destiny and making things happen for himself. But he needs to learn that he cant always rely on himself. Another character often comically quotes Scripture, usually after hes gotten in trouble for cheating on his girlfriend. The men in the film make many references to sex, and, prior to the wedding, the obligatory bachelor party scene occurs. It could have been much worse, but there were still women parading around and dancing in very skimpy outfits. Foul language abounds with 26 f-words, 35 s-words, and 32 moderate crudities. The language, combined with crude sexual elements, doesnt make THE BEST MAN the best choice for viewers.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608