Movies - Love & Basketball

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	Movies - Love & Basketball

Love & Basketball is a 2000 romance-drama film, written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. This film stars Omar Epps, and Sanaa Lathan. It is the story of two next-door neighbors in Los Angeles, California who grew up loving basketball and, eventually, each other. Gina Prince-Bythewood, a former college athlete, writes a tale of about love, and basketball.

Plot summary

Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) have wanted to be professional basketball stars since they were kids. Monica has had to work hard to establish herself as a presence, while Quincy was born with natural star potential. As the two struggle to reach their goals of playing professionally, they must also deal with their emotions for each other.

Monica is a fiercely driven, hot-tempered tomboy who gives her all for basketball. Quincy, the son of a NBA legend, has NBA dreams of his own. Next-door neighbors since first grade, they start as rivals and grow into lovers and friends. The romantic complications follow a familiar game plan, but the film throws a fascinating spotlight onto the contrast between men's and women's basketball. While Quincy plays college ball on huge courts to cheering, sold-out crowds, Monica sweats tears, and endures sheer physical dedication in front of tiny audiences in small gyms and second-rate auditoriums.

The story is set in the late 1980s, years before the establishment of the WNBA, so Monica's prospects for professional basketball lie exclusively in the European leagues, while Quincy steps into the pros at home. Monica's struggle over Quincy's opens eyes to her unique challenges with a sharp, savvy contrast. Alfre Woodard costars as Monica's harping mom (always trying to get her to be more ladylike) and Dennis Haysbert is Quincy's philandering father.

Cast

Reception

Film reviews

Love & Basketball received mixed, but generally favorable reviews for its direction, cast, and storyline. On Metacritic, the film scored a 70 metascore—based on 28 reviews. Notable film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, says "The film is not as taut as it could have been, but I prefer its emotional perception to the pumped-up sports cliches I was sort of expecting. It's about the pressures of being a star athlete; the whole life, not the game highlights. I'm not sure I quite believe the final shot, though. I think the girl suits up for the sequel." Ebert gave the fim 3 stars

Film critic Desson Howe, of The Washington Post's Entertainment Guide, writes "Love and Basketball" had moments of such tenderness and sophistication, complimented by such romantic dreaminess between lead performers Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. First-time filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood's film joins such films as The Best Man
and The Wood
, which look for the class, not the crass, in African American life." Howe gave the film 3.5 stars.

Box office

Love & Basketball was produced on an estimated $15,000,000 budget. In the opening weekend of its release, it was shown on 1,237 screen, and took in $8,139,180. It would eventually take in a total of $27,441,122 at the box office.

DVD release

Love & Basketball was released on DVD in Region 1 on October 10, 2000 and in Region 2 on July 2, 2002; it was distributed by New Line Home Video.

DVD features include: #Feature-Length commentary by writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood and actress Sanaa Lathan #5.1 isolated score with commentary by composer Terence Blanchard, editor Terilyn A. Shropshire and Gina Prince-Bythewood #Deleted scenes #Blooper reel #Audition tapes featuring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan #Animated storyboards of basketball sequences #Music video - Lucy Pearl "Dance Tonight" #Original documentary: Breaking the glass ceiling - The rise and acceptance of women competitors

Awards and Nominations

2001 NAACP Image Awards

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture — Sanaa Lathan
(won)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture — Alfre Woodard
(won)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture — Omar Epps
(nominated)
Outstanding Motion Picture (nominated)

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