There is no denying that this film from 2000, "Love and Basketball" has what it takes to combine a romantic drama while also making the sport of basketball the drive that brings our two lovebirds together to make the perfect couple. What stands out about this movie is that it doesn't fall victim into sentimental mush, but at the same time the payoff in the end doesn't escalate into a big climactic game where the stakes are high. It's a simple tale of two young African-Americans who find the love for each other while dedicating their lives to the sport they are passionate about.
The movie centres around a young girl named Monica Wright (Kyla Pratt) who has a more tomboyish appearance about her much to the disapproval of her parent and her sister who want want her have a more feminine outlook. She dismisses them and instead she would rather be shooting hoops instead of going window shopping. Her family settle in the Los Angeles, a trendy neighbourhood. She becomes next-door neighbours to an NBA star Zeke McCall (Dennis Haysbert) who has a son named Quincy (Glenndon Chatman) and in 1981 Monica and Quincy meet for the first time. They challenge each other to casual but competitive gave of basketball, as Monica scores the first point, Quincy gives her shove that results in her getting a scar that remains on her face permanently.
But under that moment of roughness, Quincy then takes a liking for her and asks if they like to be together. At first she scoffs at the idea, but quickly takes it into consideration on account that she has no interest in flowers and that she can ride her own bike to school. It shows that Monica is okay with having a boyfriend, but she like to set her own regulations and independence.
As we move forward to 1988, Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) are now high school seniors and are ready to make it into the real world. And even though they're not in any steady relationship, they do remain close to one another like friends. When Quincy's father Zeke and his mother, Nona (Debbi Morgan) get into a loud quarrel, Quincy seeks comfort by retreating to her house and sleeping on the floor. When she finally does acquiesce to her mother and sister's advice to fix her hair, Monica goes out on a blind date. At the dance along with her date, Quincy is there too, while they're dancing with their dates, they can't stop looking at each other, indicating their attraction for one another.
They both enroll at USC and have become big time stars on their respected basketball teams. However, Monica is given a bit of an unfair penaization for a certain type of roughness that's frowned upon by the woman's team that's celebrated on the men's. Their romance has it's on again, off again moments like most steady relations have, but they eventually become pros while Quincy remains in America, Monica has to compete in Spain. Their reunion ends way too fast and unnatuarally way too soon to be believable.
The sport or the romance is not what really makes this movie stand-out. What really stand out is that it's directed by newbie Gina Prince-Bythewood and is produced by veteran Spike Lee, "Love and Basketball" is a sports movie seen through the woman's perspective for once. It remain sincere when talking about love and sex and it's handled in subtle and mature way. It also observes the world of basketball through hard work, skill, dedication and passion as both our main characters decided to make a career doing what they love best. The finale is more about dedication and perseverence insread of scoring that last seond final score. The sport of basketball is not the primary topic of the movie, but more or less brings the connection between two individuals who share the same interest that brings these two together.
Performance wise, Omar Epps is wonderful in his role though might be a tad old to be playing the role of a high-schooler. The real star here is Sanaa Lathan as Monica who combines a certain level of tomboy integrity while still in touch with her feminine side. She has some memorable scenes with her mother (Alfre Woodard) who supports the decisions she makes in life while trying to understand her feminist ways.
Epps has interesting scenes with his parents as well. First his father retires from the NBA, gets tangled up in a paternity suit, and Quincy starts to question his true feelings about his parents in heart-wrenching scenes.
Though the story could have been much tighter in its delivery, "Love and Basketball" has more of an emotional attraction that defies the cliches we get in most sports themed movies. It focuses on the relationship of the athlete and what they go through in their personal lives rather than psych up for that grand sport finale. In the end we hope for the best from each character.
