 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Love and Basketball
- Review Date: May 4, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
Good romance, but strong sexuality for a PG-13.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Divided into quarters like a real basketball game, LOVE & BASKETBALL shows two basketball-obsessed kids, Monica and Quincy, make friends on the court at age 11, play basketball in the same high school, then the same college, and go pro. As they deal with unfaithful, dishonest, and unsupportive parents; demanding coaches; hostile teammates; and the temptation of recruiters; their friendship blossoms into love then hate and back again.
Is it any good?
Funny how this movie is 20 percent about basketball and 80 percent about love and you end up cheering the leads on for about 90 percent of it. You want these two rather stubborn and talented basketball players to realize they're meant for each other even more than you want them to win the big games or get the big sports scholarships. The chemistry is great between Sanaa Lathan as Monica and Omar Epps as Quincy.
If you're into the romance enough you'll probably be forgiving as the pair face some standard-issue family conflicts and the old dating double standard: Quincy always seems to have a girl on his arm when Monica isn't around and Monica stays true throughout the movie. But the characters experience plenty of positive growth, especially when Quincy confronts his philandering father saying, "How come you couldn't be the man you kept trying to make me?"<
What 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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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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.
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AGE
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!!
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AGE
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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AGE
Richyy !
I Think Love & Basketball is a great movie for young couples that are in love. It show’s how a young couple fall in love in high school. 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 Basketball scene. 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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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Gina Prince-Bythewood |
| Cast: | Alfre Woodard, Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Theatrical release date: | April 14, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | October 10, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language, sexual references, and sexual situations |
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