Love & Basketball is a 2000 romance-comedy film written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. This movie stars Omar Epps, and Sanaa Lathan. It is the story of two next-door neighbors in Los Angeles who grew up loving basketball and, eventually, each other. Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) have wanted to be basketball stars since they were kids. Monica has had to work hard to establish herself as a presence, while Quincy was born with natural star potential. As the two struggle to reach their goals of playing professionally, they must also deal with their emotions for each other.
| Love & Basketball | |
|---|---|
 PG-13 rating symbol | |
| Directed by | Gina Prince-Bythewood |
| Written by | Gina Prince-Bythewood |
| Produced by | Andrew Z. Davis Cynthia Guidry Spike Lee Jay Stern |
| Starring | Omar Epps Sanaa Lathan |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Running time | 124 min. |
| Budget | $15,000,000 |
Plot summary
Gina Prince-Bythewood, a former college athlete, writes a tale of Love & Basketball. Sanaa Lathan is the fiercely driven, hot-tempered Monica, a tomboy who gives her all for basketball. Omar Epps is Quincy, an NBA player's son who has pro dreams of his own. Next-door neighbors since first grade, they start as rivals and grow 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 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. Prince-Bythewood favors Monica's 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.
Cast
- Sanaa Lathan (Monica Wright)
- Omar Epps (Quincy McCall)
- Dennis Haysbert (Zeke McCall)
- Alfre Woodard (Camille Wright)
- Regina Hall (Lena Wright)
- Shar Jackson (Felicia)
- Jess Willard (Jamal)
- Gabrielle Union (Shawnee)
- Chris Warren Jr. (Kelvin)
- Kyla Pratt (Young Monica)
- Debbi Morgan (Nona McCall)
- Al Foster (Coach Hiserman)
Memorable Quotes
- Quote:
- Monica: I'm a ball player.
- Quote:
- Young Quincy: Can't do this shit!
- Zeke McCall: Boy, what did I tell you about using that word?
- Young Quincy: Can't should never be in a man's vocabulary.
- Quote:
- Quincy: All's fair in love and basketball.
Soundtrack listing
- Artist (Sone for movie)
- Donell Jones (I'll Go)
- Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock (It Takes Two)
- Lucy Pearl (Dance Tonight)
- Black Eyed Peas (Complete Beloved)
- Guy (I Like)
- MC Lyte (Lyte as a Rock)
- Angie Stone (Holding Back the Years)
- Al Green (Love and Happiness)
- Bilal (Soul Sista)
- Rufus (Sweet Thing)
- Roger (I Want to Be Your Man)
- Me'shell Ndegeocello (Fool of Me)
- Maxwell (This Woman's Work)
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