Best Men

1998

Best Men

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Best Men Photos

View All Photos

Movie Info

Former music-video director Tamra Davis (Guncrazy) created strong characters in this bank-robbery tale, a crime/comedy/drama somewhat reminiscent of the anti-establishment attitudes seen in early '70s films. After three years in a California prison, Jesse (Luke Wilson) is ready to marry his girlfriend Hope (Drew Barrymore) in the town of Independence (the original working title of this film). Joining Jesse is a odd assortment -- the buzzcut ex-Green-Beret Buzz (Dean Cain); ex-lawyer Sol (Mitchell Whitfield); geeky Teddy (Andy Dick); and Shakespeare-quoting Billy (Sean Patrick Flanery), aka Hamlet on the FBI's most-wanted list. Then they're off to the wedding. Billy, however, asks to be dropped off at a nearby bank, and after it's evident that Billy is pulling off another Hamlet heist, the others join him inside. Billy's father, Sheriff Phillips (Fred Ward), up for re-election, begins hostage negotiations, but the media arrives, along with psycho FBI agent Hoover (Raymond J. Barry) and his partner Carter (Art Edler Brown). Wearing her wedding dress, Hope goes inside the bank. Soon various friends and locals gather outside to offer support as the hostages take the side of their captors. In addition to portraying agent Carter, Art Edler Brown is the film's co-producer and co-scripter.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By:

Tamra Davis
Written By:

Tracy Fraim, Art Edler Brown
In Theaters:

Jun 1, 1998 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Apr 16, 2002
Runtime:

89 minutes
Studio:

Orion Home Video

Watch it now

Vudu

Cast

Dean Cain
as Sgt. Buzz Thomas

Andy Dick
as Teddy Pollack

Sean Patrick Flanery
as Billy Phillips

Mitchell Whitfield
as Sol Jacobs

Luke Wilson
as Jesse Chandler

Fred Ward
as Sheriff Bud Phillips

Raymond J. Barry
as FBI Agent Hoover

Drew Barrymore
as Hope

Brad Dourif
as Lt. John G. `Gonzo' Coleman

Tracy Fraim
as Cuervo

Biff Yeager
as Mayor Boar

Art Edler Brown
as Agent Carter

K.K. Dodds
as Cindy Vargas

Jeff Phillips
as The Rookie

Kathryn Joosten
as Edie

Dee Maaske
as Dorothy

Cal Gibson
as Guard

David Wells
as Priest

William Martin Brennan
as Bank Employee

Wendy Worthington
as Bank Manager

Anne Von Herrman
as Teller

Duke Valenti
as Sniper

View All

Critic Reviews for Best Men

All Critics (8) | DVD (1)

The ending is a little too neat and tidy, but as far as straight-to-video talk-fests go, Best Men's worth a look.

Aug 1, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Fairly witless romantic heist comedy combo.

Jul 26, 2002 | Rating: 2/5

Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (8)

Audience Reviews for Best Men

Feb 12, 2007

As if Drew Barrymore's wedding day weren't stressful enough, bride-to-be Luke Wilson must contend with her intnded being an ex-con who can't pass up the opportunity to rob a bank. Unbeknownst to Hope and his friends, Sean Patrick Flanery is "Hamlet", a Robin Hood-like robber who picks the day of his wedding for his latest heist. Quirky character comedy succeeds, thanks to a winning cast, spirited direction and a script that never plays dumb.

Dean M Super Reviewer