Love & Basketball (PG-13)
Cast: Omar Epps, Debbi Morgan, Sanaa Lathan, Harry J. Lennix
Release Date: April 21, 2000
Runtime: 2 hr. 0 mins.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Quincy McCall and Monica Wright are childhood adversaries and talented athletes who have a love for the game of basketball and each other. As each pursues their dream of competing in professional sports, they must face their own respective hurdles. The story begins with Monica and Quincy as youngsters, when she moves in next door. Quincy is shocked to find she can play ball better than most guys. When he asks her to be his girlfriend, it lasts about a minute: She finds his eleven-year-old machismo out of control. Cut to High school: Following in the footsteps of his famous dad, an NBA player, Quincy has his pick of colleges, and women, while Monica is appalled by his taste in the latter. She also can't understand why her coach thinks his best player has to act like a lady on the court: Monica is definitely no lady. But when Quincy sees her dolled up for the senior dance, he discovers he has fallen in love with his tomboy neighbor. They continue pursuing their respective basketball careers as college sweethearts- until Quincy's dad, his idol, lets him down, and Monica does, too, because she can't miss curfew before a big game to be there for him. When Quincy announces that he's dropping out of school to turn pro and their romance is off, Monica is left wondering if "being all about ball" is worth losing the love of her life. But all's fair in love and basketball, and the game isn't over until the fourth quarter has been played.
Review
Finally, a love story that doesn't star Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
For that alone, we should patronize this movie.
Story
Taking place in black upper-middle-class suburbia, "Love and Basketball" is about Monica and Quincy (Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps), two childhood pals-turned-college sweethearts who struggle with the pangs of growing up, their drive to become basketball stars and their affection for each other. Slip out for Junior Mints during the stereotypical mother-daughter conflicts and the father-son melodrama so you can concentrate on what makes this movie so charming -- Monica and Quincy's coming of age as basketball prodigies and tender boy-meets-girl moments.
Acting
I can only hope that newcomer Lathan collects accolades for her compelling and lovable portrayal of an awkward teenager-turned-prom queen-turned-basketball star. Portraying Monica, a basketball prodigy, Lathan draws you in, keeps you there and leaves you wishing you could bring her home for the Final Four. Her emotional struggle between her love for Quincy and her dedication to her sport proves that she's an actress worth watching. Lathan's convincing action sequences might even persuade even the most Neanderthal of sports bar owners to occasionally switch the channel to women's basketball. Epps, no doubt, lucks out playing opposite Lathan; Alfre Woodard is off-form as Monica's mother; and Dennis Haysbert, as Quincy's pro-ball player father, turns in what could only be described as a WB-inspired performance.
Direction
First-time writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood debuts quietly and professionally with this low-profile but high-impact love story. Despite the typical boy-meets-girl script and "Felicity"-inspired dialogue, Prince-Bythewood manages to lift it beyond the ordinary to create a simple and charming film that slowly but engagingly unfolds.
Bottom Line
A sweet story and a good date movie. See it and then make out in front of ESPN.
Synopsis
Quincy McCall and Monica Wright are childhood adversaries and talented athletes who have a love for the game of basketball and each other. As each pursues their dream of competing in professional sports, they must face their own respective hurdles. The story begins with Monica and Quincy as youngsters, when she moves in next door. Quincy is shocked to find she can play ball better than most guys. When he asks her to be his girlfriend, it lasts about a minute: She finds his eleven-year-old machismo out of control. Cut to High school: Following in the footsteps of his famous dad, an NBA player, Quincy has his pick of colleges, and women, while Monica is appalled by his taste in the latter. She also can't understand why her coach thinks his best player has to act like a lady on the court: Monica is definitely no lady. But when Quincy sees her dolled up for the senior dance, he discovers he has fallen in love with his tomboy neighbor. They continue pursuing their respective basketball careers as college sweethearts- until Quincy's dad, his idol, lets him down, and Monica does, too, because she can't miss curfew before a big game to be there for him. When Quincy announces that he's dropping out of school to turn pro and their romance is off, Monica is left wondering if "being all about ball" is worth losing the love of her life. But all's fair in love and basketball, and the game isn't over until the fourth quarter has been played.