Plot
In 1981 in L.A., Monica moves in next door to Quincy. They're 11, and both want to play in the NBA...

Release Year: 2000

Rating: 6.7/10 (7,196 voted)

Critic's Score: 70/100

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Stars: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Glenndon Chatman

Storyline
In 1981 in L.A., Monica moves in next door to Quincy. They're 11, and both want to play in the NBA, just like Quincy's dad. Their love-hate relationship lasts into high school, with Monica's edge and Quincy's top-dog attitude separating them, except when Quincy's parents argue and he climbs through Monica's window to sleep on the floor. As high school ends, they come together as a couple, but within a year, with both of them playing ball at USC, Quincy's relationship with his father takes an ugly turn, and it leads to a break up with Monica. Some years later, their pro careers at a crossroads, they meet again. It's time for a final game of one-on-one with high stakes.

Cast:
Glenndon Chatman - Young Quincy
Jess Willard - Jamal
Chris Warren Jr. - Kelvin
Kyla Pratt - Young Monica
Alfre Woodard - Camille Wright
Naykia Harris - Young Lena
Harry Lennix - Nathan Wright
Debbi Morgan - Nona McCall
Dennis Haysbert - Zeke McCall
Sanaa Lathan - Monica Wright
Omar Epps - Quincy McCall
Colleen Matsuhara - UCLA Coach
Al Foster - Coach Hiserman
Nathaniel Bellamy Jr. - Highschool Referee #1 (as Nathaniel Bellamy)
Regina Hall - Lena Wright

Taglines: A story of the passion it takes to keep your dreams alive.

Release Date: 21 April 2000

Filming Locations: Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain

Box Office Details

Budget: $15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $8,139,180 (USA) (23 April 2000) (1237 Screens)

Gross: $27,441,122 (USA) (13 August 2000)

Runtime: 124 min

Goofs:
Miscellaneous: During the final one-on-one basketball scene there is a point where both Monica and Quincy have the ball in the same shot.

Quotes:
Quincy: If basketball is all you care about, why you bonin' me? Why don't you bone Dick Vital?

love & basketball & family & gender roles &...

Rating:

I was watching a Lakers games when I first saw a commercial for Love & Basketball, so naturally it was comprised of mostly basketball action and a snippet of an adult version of the b-ball game HORSE. I thought, "oh, cute movie about a guy and girl who play basketball and get together". Not exactly earth-shattering, I thought, but cute. So imagine my surprise when I saw the film start like a cute movie but then evolve. And deepen. And bloom. I laughed, I sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation, and I swear I almost cried. A "cute" movie? This film had levels I hadn't dreamed of and spoke to so much more than just sex and basketball, and yet all of it was held together cohesively by the love affair and the commitment to the sport. I was thoroughly impressed by the performances all around and by Ms. Prince-Blythewood's unerring writing and direction. A definite recommendation.

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