MovieChat Forums > The Best Man (1999) Discussion > How can anyone like Harper?

How can anyone like Harper?


He screwed over his best friend, cheated on Robin and kept stringing Jordan along..how is he at all likeable?!

"Do you think the end of the world will come at night time?"

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He's an arrogant prig I'll admit that much, but just like the rest of us he's flawed. You don't always have to like a character in a film you know.


"Beauty is the means which we use to measure our own vanity."



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The OP does have a point though. The protagonist in the movie usually has some redeeming qualities. It was really hard to empathize with him when he was busted about the book. Quentin was more likable than Harper, even with all his flaws.







Heaven will be underbooked.

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In retrospect, Harper was a bit of a dick I can see how he would be a hard character for the audience to empathetize with.


"Beauty is the means which we use to measure our own vanity."



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I agree, he was full of himself and I cringed when he said "Pray with me brother." lol

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I agree, he was full of himself and I cringed when he said "Pray with me brother." lol

I found that kind of condescending on Harper's part, because he was clearly an atheist or an agnostic.



"Beauty is the means which we use to measure our own vanity."



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This is a great thread; I agree with the OP 100%. Quentin wasn't the least bit hypocritical and didn't bring anyone into his personal issues. Harper craved the limelight; why would you propose at/during a couple's most treasured day. Harper was just downright irritating.

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Harper's ass beating was the highlight of the movie for me.

"Beauty is the means which we use to measure our own vanity."



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I don't necessarily think he was the protagonist just because he was the main character. Remember Howard's character said to him, 'You aint no better than me, you're boning Jordan tonight' etc. Harper had a lot of issues, and he had to face them all during this one weekend. I thought it was a good way of bringing an arc to his character.

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Lance also though he was being condescending which is why he said, "do you want me to beat you down again?"

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He was dumb because he wrote that book and thought no one was going to figure it, but he's not a bad person. Jordan knew what she was doing, so she's no victim. She's known him since college.

Clark's destiny = Superman, Lex Luthor & Lois Lane.

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well after watching the movie for the first time harper seemed to be not very likeable but just like quentin he had qualities that redeemed himself.

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They really didn't. He was a pretender, so they never got the chance. Now, with his cover blown, they can accept him for his faults or not. What you find deal breakers, others don't. I could like someone whose honest, admits responsibility. I hope I can forgive the repeated offender. And if I need to protect myself from harm of the repeated offender, I will. But that doesn't mean I would desert them.
Youth is enticing because of the gifts it brings. But not all of us can accept the responsibility of those gifts. He was bad in relationships, so he should have been single. How many so no to a woman or man willing to do anything for them (relationships)? Not many. His betrayal of his best friend escapes me. Not that it happened, but why. Did he want what his best friend had? Did he want to be popular? Did he want to be wanted? Or was it just sex? All are probable causes for cheating, but the plot chose his best friend. Did that mean anything to Harper? If not, we who are his friend need to realize who he is.
I do find it amazing that people on this board are willing to understand Mia's point of view, but not Harper's. It's betrayal versus revenge. Does it say that we as society want to get even? That is a sad state of affairs in my opinion.

she loved poetry and romance, but she hit the glass ceiling at birth

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i hated his character in this film. nothing redeemable. i cringed when he proposed and she stupidly said yes. ugh.

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What's even worse is that he didn't really change his ways in the sequel.
Shows that he will say anything to get himself out of trouble or to get what he wants at all costs.




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