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Love and Basketball

(2000, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Good romance, but strong sexuality for a PG-13.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Monica faces sexist behavior and attitudes from those closest to her as she proves basketball is just as important to her as it is to male players. Quincy's dad is an abandoning, philandering father figure and Quincy works hard throughout the film not to turn out like him.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some scuffles, parent slaps adult child, plus Monica is often fouled on the basketball court for displays of temper.
  • Sex:

    Fairly explicit sexual references and situations. Quincy's father is unfaithful; women fall all over Quincy and explicitly ask to sleep with him; as high schoolers, Quincy and Monica have sex -- a condom is prominent in that scene; a game of strip basketball in a dorm room shows underwear only.
  • Language:

    Some strong language.
  • Consumerism:

    NBA, WNBA, USC
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking, including drinking to drown sorrow.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Love and Basketball

Parents need to know that this movie has strong sexuality for a PG-13, including descriptions of some sexually aggressive women, a strip basketball game, and a scene of Monica and Quincy having sex that has no nudity but is fairly explicit -- but refreshingly it includes the obvious use of a condom. A character gets drunk when she finds out that her husband has been unfaithful.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how people reconcile the demands of love, family, and career, and why it is that Monica and Quincy had so much trouble telling each other how they felt. Teens may also want to talk about the different views Monica and Quincy had of their relationship at different ages, and how the key element linking them through all of them was not basketball but friendship.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for ages 10 and up.

    I absolutely love love and Basketball. It's my favorite movie. This review just wants to pick at a movie that is amazing and has no fault.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    i cried

    dont have more

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 1.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Love it!!

    I thought love and basketball was a well done movie.I love the whole film and there were no boring parts...even when I watch it every night!! There is just enough of both Love and the Basketball scene!!

  6. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    All about basketball

    Love and Basketball is about how Monica(Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) taught each other how to play the game. Now, their commitment to the sport will force them to make a choice between each other and the game, between family,and between Love and Basketball.

    Love and Basketball is a complex acclaimed movie about discovering your dreams, taking your best shot and making them come true.

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