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Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9780780631700 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC ISBN: 0780631706 Label: New Line Home Video Manufacturer: New Line Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: New Line Home Video Release Date: February 27, 2001 Running Time: 124 minutes Sales Rank: 8310 Studio: New Line Home Video Theatrical Release Date: April 21, 2000
Amazon.com: Gina Prince-Bythewood, a former college athlete, puts a spin on this one-on-one tale of Love and Basketball. Sanaa Lathan (The Best Man) is the fiercely driven, hot-tempered Monica, a tomboy who gives her all for basketball. Omar Epps (The Mod Squad) is Quincy, an NBA player's son who has pro dreams of his own. Next-door neighbors since first grade, they start as rivals (she flabbergasts the boy by outplaying him in a game of driveway pickup) and age into best friends and lovers. 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, we see Monica's sweat, tears, and sheer physical dedication in front of tiny audiences in small gyms and second-rate auditoriums.
The story is pointedly set in the late 1980s, years before the establishment of the WNBA, so Monica's prospects for pro ball lie exclusively in Europe, while Quincy steps into the pros at home. It's a pleasure to see a character as passionate and fully developed as Monica, and Lathan gives a fiery portrayal (she had never played ball before the film, but you'd never tell from her performance). Prince-Bythewood favors her struggle over Quincy's and opens our 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. Hoops fan Spike Lee produced. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - ONE OF THE GREATEST LOVE STORIES
To me this was a well written story of young love that blossomed into a marriage.
Rating: - Love & Basketball Is A Classic
As a kid this was my absolute favorite movie. Even as an adult it is still among my favorites. I love how we follow the journey of the two teen lovers and watch them evolve. This movie also has an amazing soundtrack which enhances the movie even more. No matter how old I get I will always love 'Love and Basketball'.
Rating: - Lifetime TV comes to the movies
I purchased this movie based on all the positive reviews, and it was served up to me as a recommendation.
I must say, I was mistaken in pulling the trigger on this purchase. This movie is so sappy, and so far from possibly happening, it may as well be called "Cinderella & Prince Charming of Basketball". It's a modern day fairy tale, and frankly, that was not what I was expecting, when I had noticed it was produced by Spike Lee.
After watching Spike Lee's "He Got Game", I thought this might be at least just as good. "He Got Game" had it's own problems, but this movie is simply ... Read More
Rating: - Best Movie Ever!!
I first watched this movie ten years ago and i loved it!
It is a movie that is for the boys and girls. Basketball and love!
I love this movie because it is different from te other romantic comedies. it took me so long to find this movie on DVD but it was worth the wait!
Rating: - Great Movie with a GREAT Soundtrack- perfect for V-day!
This is a classic movie. It's entertaining for both guys and girls and would be a cute to give as part of a Valentine's Day gift. My husband loves sports and enjoys watching the DVD, but I kept the soundtrack for me! Win/win!
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