Customer Reviews

Love and Basketball (New Line Platinum Series)

5 star:		(169)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first saw Love & Basketball at the premiere of the movie with all the stars. It was a special viewing where there was almost not a dry eye at the end of the film from tears of joy. I think you cannot get a better chemistry of on screen love then Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. I guess the film was their destiny, because last I heard they were engaged to be married in real life. The film is simply a beautiful epic that combines a little bit of everthing from drama, comedy, action and romance. You not only care about the characters in this film, you actually see them grow up on screen.

Love & Basketball is definitely one of my all-time favorite films. It seemed so realistic as if it was a true story, and I myself being a USC graduate and former Trojan athlete from the area the film is set in can attest that the film is very realistic and true to the story being told. This film is about the true undying love of two things: the love of basketball which sees both characters in their pre-teen days on the basketball court to their days of both being professional basketball players in the hometown. It's also about the true love between a man and a woman that had to evolve and elevate just like their basketball skills had to succeed. "All is fair in love and basketball"!

The DVD version of this film is a true treasure. I love every bit of it and it gives the viewer their money's worth. The producers of this DVD out did their self with giving the view a whole complete vision of what they expressed on the screen. The two original documentaries: "The Rise Of Female Athletes" and "The Portrayal Of African-American Women By The American Media" are outstanding and really conveys the point of view the writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood experienced herself as a basketball player. Plus, the deleted scenes and bloopers, three feature length commentaries, storyboards, and music video of Lucy Pearl's hit are a treat! One thing I truly loved as a screen writer was the whole screen play of the film on the DVD. This not only helped me understand the film more, but also helped me as a screen writer as well.

Love & Basketball is definitely a classic! I loved this film when I first saw it, and I still love it today, maybe even more because of the outstanding DVD version of it. This film makes you believe in the power of Love and Basketball!

I bought this DVD for my daughter who happens to play Division 1 college basketball. I didn't know anything about it, other than it was a love story between two basketball players. When I watched the film, I was completely blown away by it. It is one terrific, quality movie. The director outdid herself, as did the actors, with strong performances from the entire cast.

It is, as the director suggests, a love story with basketball as a backdrop. Two kids, one boy, one girl, meet when the girl, Monica, moves next door to the boy, Quincy. They are about ten years old and both play basketball with a passion. They grow up together and both play basketball in high school. In their senior year, they realize that they are in love and they give themselves to each other, heart and soul.

They are fortunate enough to be recruited to play for the same college, but the contrast between their respective reception is telling. They both do their best and are passionate about basket ball and each other. There comes a time, however, when their love is tested, and they are pulled apart by forces which they lack the maturity to understand. What follows is a test of their love and commitment.

This is a beautifully told love story. The depth of passion that the two main characters have, both for basketball and for each other, is palpable throughout the entire film. The movie is engrossing at all times and is wonderfully directed.

The DVD itself has a plethora of features, including an absorbing documentary of successful women from all walks of life who have managed to break the glass ceiling. This is certainly a DVD well worth having.

Quite surprisingly, the Spike Lee-produced released Love & Basketball is an excellent film. It may have a note of corniness during some scenes, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best sleeper hits of 2000. The film's drama is great and the romance has brilliant chemistry and all the elements stick nicely together thanks to the acting - particularly from amazing newcomer Sanaa Lathan - and Gina Price's clean direction. The scenes I thought were particularly nail-biting were the basketball matches between the two lead characters, the final one-on-one is tense and unpredictable. Also seeing Monica's (Lathan) thoughts when playing basketball was clever and original. All the characters have a good-bad side them, you relate to them, which make these similar but totally different (you'll understand after viewing) creations the best about the film. Come to think of it, this movie shouldn't have the title Love & Basketball. It should have the title Love, Basketball, Family, Gender Roles, Sex, Cheating... and so forth and so forth. This movie deals with so many things in such a great style that the viewer should know just how great its going to be so they don't get literally blown away! A definite recommendation.

This is an extraordinary movie. If you think women do not know how to play tough, then you really need to watch this movie. Love and Basketball is an excellent portaryl of how women can deal with love, a broken heart, family issues, peer pressure and still make a living and play the game of basketball with all heart. I recommend the purchase of this DVD to all basketball fans and to those who love a good love story.

I began my athletic career at the ripe old age of five, and haven't looked back. This movie made me cry, it made me remember my hoop days of high school and college, and it made me appreciate the experiences I had as a baller. This movie accomplished more for explaining the trials and inequality of being a female athlete than anything I've ever seen. And to top it off, they added in a beautiful love story. I would recommend this movie for female athletes (it "feels" us!) and any other person who's never really "gotten" the sports vibe...maybe this will help.

I didnt see this film at the theatre, however it was one that I wanted to. I was just too lazy and didnt take the time to see it. However, I did pre-order, and I couldnt wait to see it. As a big fan of African American romance on film (my favorite Love Jones, shot in my home, Chi-town), this movie really moved me. The characters were so real, and you cared what happened to each of them. Right now, Im in love with Sanaa Lathan, and what man wouldnt be, after watching this film? She did an excellent job, as did Omar. The chemistry was unreal, or I should say, too real. When she loses the basketball game against Omar, for a split second, I felt MY heart break. There are few films where the love scenes have a real effect on my heart. This is one of the few. We need more movies like this for African Americans. The DVD package is great. They've offered so much more than the film here, with the DVD ROM stuff to the blooper reel and deleted scenes, which were all great to watch. I couldnt get enough of this film, if I could give it 10 stars, I would.

Sometimes a great film comes along, that transcends barriers, and just emerges as a wonderful, solid body of work. "Love & Basketball" is one of those films. It is successful because it is not only a great basketball story, but it is also a great love story. What's more, the acting is compelling, completely believeable and natural. The film stars the beautiful Sanaa Lathan, as Monica, a passionate basketball player, who has known Quincy (Omar Epps), since she was six years old. They both share a passion for basketball, and the films opens with a young Monica challenging Quincy to a game of one-on-one. This is only the beginning of their relationship, as they go through their teen years together, as nextdoor neighbors, both aspiring to be the greatest baskbetball players they can be (in men's and women's divisions, respectively). Their friendship blossoms into something more, but can it be sustained through their trials and tribulations, on and off the baskbetball court??

I reccomend this to people of all ages, sports and non-sports fans, and those who just want to see a great movie. It will touch your heart and soul, and leave you smiling.

Love and Basketball, about two childhood friends who happens to both have a love for basketball, and...each other. But through the years they are apart, they both find other lives and loves. Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps are hot..don't wait until there all sold out, reserve your copy today at Amazon.com

Love and Basketball 2000, 127 min
New Line Cinema, Dir. Gina Prince-Bythwood
Main Actors: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps

Love and Basketball is a unique drama and love story in that it displays how two people who think they can love the game of basketball so much, to only find out that their love each other outweighs any other love they have. Two young kids, Quincy (Q)and Monica met as neighbors in California and they both share the same love for basketball, and the desire to play in a professional league someday. Along the way, both characters face challenges and learning that it takes more than just a good shot to make it to the big league.

Q and Monica began their relationship as friends and denying any attraction to each other. Then they give in to something they always knew and continued a relationship since they would be attending the same college and both playing for the college basketball teams. Q knew his dreams of playing professional basketball wasn't far fetch, since his father was already playing in the league, but Monica had more to prove and was determined to do whatever it took to see her dreams through. As time went on, Q was needing more from Monica and their relationship and he didn't think Monica could provide or share her love for him and basketball, so he ended the relationship and they went their separate ways. Q dropped out of college just three years later and was injured his first year in the professional league. At this time, there was a such thing as a professional league for women, so Monica went overseas and played for a league for a couple of years later finding out that she missed her family and her feelings for basketball had changed. When Monica got the news that Q had been injured in a game, she went to visit him in the hospital, only to find out that he had moved on with his life completely and was now engaged to be married. Could this be the end?

Monica, if nothing else, had learned one thing from playing basketball all those years, you never give up on your dreams and she was determined to find out if Quincy's love for her was really gone and if she could have one more chance to prove to him that this time that she could give him the love he needed.

This film to was well very directed in that it was very realistic and if you love something enough, you should never let go. I think people of all ages can view this film and enjoy how all the drama turns out.

Love and Basketball is a cute urban story about two childhood basketball players enduring the ups and downs and in and outs within their romance. The plot and cast are well perfected and thought out in the film because the chemistry between the cast is very real.
Monica (played by Sanaa Lathan, a fairly new actress, The Wood) lives by the game of basketball when she first meets Quincy (Omar Epps, Higher Learning, The Wood), her new next door neighbor. Monica's first impression on Q is not a good one when he bruises her during an encounter as children in a game of ball.
Their first attraction is innocent as kids, but quickly fizzles out as they argue and fight continuously as youngsters. Their romance begins again their prom night after fighting their relentless attraction to each other for so long.
Their romance grows even more as they arrive to the beginning of their careers at college. Quincy and Monica both deal with their personal and basketball struggles, but their relationship suffers, especially when Quincy finds out that his father is cheating on his mother. Also towards the ending of the film Tyra Banks makes an guest appearance portraying Q's fiancé.
Love and Basketball is a well written, emotion grasping and thought provoking film. I give this film two thumbs up and a full six stars. I feel this is one of the best urban films out there that is suited for all audiences. This film does not contain a lot of profanity nor sexual content. Not only is the movie phenomenal because of the awesome cast but so is the soundtrack. The whole package of the film is superb! I recommend this film to everyone. Please if you don't already own this film this is on the top of my must have list!