Love and Basketball (2000)
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82% of critics liked it
(87 reviews) -
93% of users liked it
(170,297 ratings)
A young African-American couple navigates the tricky paths of romance and athletics in this drama. Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) grew up in the same neighborhood and have known each other since childhood. As they grow into adulthood, they fall in love, but they also… More A young African-American couple navigates the tricky paths of romance and athletics in this drama. Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) grew up in the same neighborhood and have known each other since childhood. As they grow into adulthood, they fall in love, but they also share another all-consuming passion: basketball. They've followed the game all their lives and have no small amount of talent on the court. As Quincy and Monica struggle to make their relationship work, they follow separate career paths though high school and college basketball and, they hope, into stardom in big-league professional ball. Love and Basketball was the first feature film for writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who previously helmed several comedy specials for Dave Chappelle. Spike Lee co-produced. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gina Prince, Gina Prince-Bythewood
- Written By
- Gina Prince-Bythewood
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- In Theaters
- Jan 26, 2000 Wide
- Studio
- New Line Cinema
Critic Reviews
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Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
Told largely from the point of view of the woman, this career-versus-love story still develops the perspective of the man persuasively, as Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps reveal their characters' motives with nuances of expression that transcend the dialogue.
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Emanuel Levy, Variety
The pic is so well directed and lead performance by Sanaa Lathan so charismatic that audiences will overlook the script's flaws and root for the central duo.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Stylishly shot and bursting with visual and sexual energy, this is confident black women's film-making and an eloquent tribute to the girl with the permanently grazed knees -- and about time too.
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Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
Satisfying, enjoyable and smart.
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Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Mawkishly heartfelt, but actress Sanaa Lathan performs as if she were lit from within.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sanaa Lathan
as Monica Wright
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Omar Epps
as Quincy McCall
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Alfre Woodard
as Camille Wright
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Dennis Haysbert
as Zeke McCall
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Debbi Morgan
as Mona McCall
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Harry J. Lennix
as Nathan Wright
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Kyla Pratt
as Young Monica
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Glenndon Chatman
as Young Quincy
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Monica Calhoun
as Kerry
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Gabrielle Union
as Shawnee
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Boris Kodjoe
as Jason
- Erika Ringor
- Regina Hall
- Shar Jackson
- Tyra Banks



