The title of the movie might sound weird, but its nothing like the typical chick-flick love story or sports movie. Unlike other sports movie, it isn’t focused on a specific game, or a team overcoming odds. It considers the game in terms of career and passion. The best part being, its straightforward treatment of women's sports, a subject that is rarely covered without a special angle.
The movie is about Quincy, son of a NBA star who is determined to follow in his dad's footsteps, and his tomboy neighbor Monica who wants to be the first female player in the NBA, and their passion for the game and also for each other. The director has effectively broken down the movie into four quarters.
The two meet as 11-year-olds in the first quarter, and after some typical boy-girl hostility, they grow to become friends and fellow basketball players. The second quarter sees them as a couple during senior year in high school. The third quarter traces their turbulent freshman year at USC, when simultaneous turns in the big leagues sours their off-court relationship, setting the stage for the fourth quarter, which catches up with the two after college. The story is dealt quite maturely with no drama involved to manufacture excitement in the game or complications to pull apart the relationship.
Omar Epps is charismatic, likable, and more than up to the role's athletic requirements. . Sanaa Lathan is extremely convincing and carries the greatest emotional weight in the film, with tomboy stubbornness and womanly pride. Some extra shots : Lathan had no experience with the game, when she was initially cast.
Love & Basketball isn’t the kind of most exciting sports flicks with a Big Game having audience-pleasing jump shots at the buzzer, instead its about the athlete’s journey to that big game. This is for those who like something beyond the formula.
Verdict –It does not feel like watching a Game highlight. 3/5
Written By: Neha Jain
The movie is about Quincy, son of a NBA star who is determined to follow in his dad's footsteps, and his tomboy neighbor Monica who wants to be the first female player in the NBA, and their passion for the game and also for each other. The director has effectively broken down the movie into four quarters.
The two meet as 11-year-olds in the first quarter, and after some typical boy-girl hostility, they grow to become friends and fellow basketball players. The second quarter sees them as a couple during senior year in high school. The third quarter traces their turbulent freshman year at USC, when simultaneous turns in the big leagues sours their off-court relationship, setting the stage for the fourth quarter, which catches up with the two after college. The story is dealt quite maturely with no drama involved to manufacture excitement in the game or complications to pull apart the relationship.
Love & Basketball isn’t the kind of most exciting sports flicks with a Big Game having audience-pleasing jump shots at the buzzer, instead its about the athlete’s journey to that big game. This is for those who like something beyond the formula.
Verdict –It does not feel like watching a Game highlight. 3/5
Written By: Neha Jain
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