The Best Man's Last Hoorah: An Inside Look Into The Cast's Grand Finale

The Best Man was a movie that made its debut on our screens and hearts in October 1999. It quickly became a cultural icon, something Malcolm D. Lee had set out to achieve when he wrote it. The ensemble cast (Morris Chestnut and Taye Diggs as well as Terrence Howard and Terrence Perrineau as Terrence Howard and Melissa De Sousa) showed the real, Black, successful and multifaceted human experience in a funny, if messy, way. This led to The Best Man Holiday's blockbuster success and then, almost 10 years later, The Best Man: The Last Chapters.
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We grew up to love, hate and defend Lance Sullivan (Chestnut), the problematic drama magnet Harper Stewart(Diggs), the overachieving commitment-phobe Jordan Armstrong (“Long”), the lovingly meek and indiscreet Julian Murch (“Perrineau”), the soul-seeking loverboy Quentin Spivey [Howard], fiery avoidant force of nature Shelby Taylor (De Sousa), the fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and Candace (Hall), the fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and fluid advocate Robin) and fluid advocate Robin (De Sousa), and fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and fluid advocate Robin (De Sousa), and fluid advocate Robin (De Sousa), and fluid advocate Robin (Lathan), and sexy, Hall). Greg Noire/VIBE The Best Man cast and crew said goodbye to their characters and stories, adventures, fans and loved ones. Their sentiments reflect their final round. Lee recalls feeling close to quitting when he wrote the first film's script.
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I won't pursue filmmaking. It's been 23 years since the original series ended and he is grateful that he was able to invest so much in its sequel. While speaking over Zoom, Queens, a New York native, said that he felt that the story was universal and could be understood by everyone. It also had cultural specificity. This was something that would feed an audience that was hungry for it. He didn't expect it to become a franchise.
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"But it just so happens that it was a good story to tell with The Best Man Holiday, and I wanted to give the characters more adult material to deal with. It's more adulting with The Final Chapters. This is what happens when you're in your sandwich years taking care your parents and your children. You are going through a reassessment of your life, who you are and with whom you will spend the rest.
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There is so much going on in this stage of life. I wanted to show that. Holiday was a memorable holiday for the gang. People were impressed by how they embodied the fountain of youth. Each person was able to mature for their own reasons. Jordan had to be open to love.
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Robin had to stop viewing Jordan as her enemy. Shelby had to stop pleading for Julian, while he needed learn to communicate with his wife. Harper and Lance had to work together to overcome their passive indifference. This couldn't have been possible without Lance and Mia coming up with a solution.
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The Best Man: The Last Chapters is now available in a new package. It's an eight-part episodic series that will be available through NBC's Peacock streaming service. The themes are still familiar enough to address the complex issues of grief, newfound love and raising your children and parents, as well as outgrown relationships. All fall under the umbrella of the "midlife metamorphosis". Dayna Lynne North, co-showrunner, coined the term.
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"Midlife doesn't have to be a time of crisis," said the producer. The acclaimed writer-producer explained that this was what made her so happy. "It's a renaissance for some characters and I think we kinda keep going through rebirths and renaissances throughout our lives, if lucky." There will be moments of joy, anger and relief throughout the series.
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This is an exciting ride so be prepared. Each character was created for the cast (as described on Zoom) and lives within them. They were allowed to be authentically human and that is why they have such a loyal fanbase.
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Perrineau passionately states, "These are people you want talk to, you want hang out with, or maybe even imitate." Hall, Perrineau's onscreen partner, said that the series'showed humanity and the complexity of relationships among friends. The actress says that she is particularly pleased with the ending of De Sousa’s character's relationship. She also believes it shows the potential for adult friendship. Shelby is a deeply rooted friend and I believe that's what's truthful about it.
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It wasn't easy for them to get there. You have to love others and not just your own grievances. There's an honesty and truthfulness that I believe is needed. They each experience a different awakening in their romantic relationships. It may bring them closer, break them apart or create a new beginning.
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Howard jokes that Quentin realized he has more in common than he thought with Murch. Oh my God Diggs says, "My character has become even more in his mind than he was in previous years." Even in success, it is difficult to question who he is, what he wants, and what he should strive for. Harper is a successful professional, a trait he shares in common with Jordan, but both actors acknowledge that your soulmate does not have to be your romantic partner.
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"Well, it's not as simple as you think. Diggs says that there are many levels to this relationship and that it is about a connection. Quentin (Howard), Shelby (De Sousa), and a similar couple chose to accept their fate as lovers-and-friends. Spoiler alert! They both finally stop fighting their true desires after years of neglecting the obvious and almost losing one another forever.
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De Sousa said that Shelby is a full-fledged woman who has a wide range of emotions and is now facing the truth about her life. She then needs to adjust. Howard calmly adds, "There's simplicity in complexity because you know that at the end it all works together." You will stumble and trip over yourself trying to navigate and manage the complexity. Howard has a long career with many memorable characters and scenes. Howard's breakdown shows that he can see his roles from both a bird's-eye view and ground level. "The Best Man: The Last Chapters Premiere Event" (L-R: Sanaa, Nia Lang, Regina Hall, Melissa De Sousa) at the Hollywood Athletic Club, December 7, 2022
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Arnold Turner/Peacock "The best thing is to be patient and follow the path to the end." He continues, "That's what you, as an audience member, get to see." "And you can see what obstacles may be preventing someone else from moving forward. By how you handle them, you can make them into stepping stones.
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This is what we learned from these three interactions. The Best Man has changed the game for Black cinema. Chestnut adds, 'I think there were a lot more films and projects trying to replicate that same tone and image. Diggs leaps in boldly and adds: 'There wouldn't be any Black cinema without The Best Man. Their legacy extends beyond the cast. We'd be remiss to not highlight cultural highlights like Cameo's "Candy" being paired with Electric Slide, Stevie Wonder's "Can You Stand The Rain", Stevie Wonder's "As" being the record for both moaning and mourning, D'Angelo's "St Damn Motherfuer" being used as the soundtrack to Lance's revelations about Mia's infidelity.
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Perrineau adds, "This cast, and Malcolm [D.] Lee, in particular, have given audiences in the African American community a chance of experiencing our culture in a way that wasn't before." Final Chapters will show you that even old dogs can learn new tricks. Everybody was allowed to blossom and grow in the way they wanted, regardless of whether or not it was obvious to them.
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He says, "I think The Best Man showed Black people that they are not monolithic and that it is possible to show up onscreen in many different ways and still make money, still be fun," he adds. "That's one of The Best Man's legacies. Lee affectionately refers to their found family as 'The Black Pack'. Their friendship is also a unique one. They play hard, sometimes fight dirty, but they love more.
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Perrineau reflects on their unique relationship. They are the most amazing group of people, both on and off-screen. I love playing with them. We play because that's what they do onscreen, and that's awesome. Their foundation is built on unwavering love
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The Best Man: The Last Chapters Premiere Event (l-r: Morris Chestnut and Terrence Howard), Malcolm D. Lee, Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau at Hollywood Athletic Club on December 7, 2022 Photo: Arnold Turner/Peacock In the Final Chapters, the cast are asked to say goodbye to their characters. They gave a variety of answers, including playful suggestions and serious farewells.
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Long advises Jordan to "live a little." Get on a strip stick. Have fun. Candy reminds Hall, "You did a good job."
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It was a good life. Chestnut responds that he thinks all the characters have done well despite all of the challenges and all the work they've done professionally and personally. De Sousa encourages Shelby to trust in love and trust themselves. Howard agrees, "continue to live." Howard shares, "Continue to live." It is clear that everyone is proud of the work they have done. North describes the journey to this project as this: "The journey will be so fun, so satisfying and surprising. But get ready." Lee finished what he began.
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He states, "There's nothing more to tell." Final Chapters is a wrap on these stories. It's a fitting tribute, as the leader of this moment describes it. However, it's still difficult to grasp. Lee says goodbye to his cast, crew and fans with the following words: "It's been an amazing ride."
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Hope you enjoyed.'