A Triumph of the Heart!
Shazzar Kallie | Long Beach, CA USA | 10/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Surprising & emotional, Love & Basketball definitely scores.
Hannibal | New Zealand | 07/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Basketball and more....
Michelle | Washington, DC | 09/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."