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"'Love'
Conquers All"
by Scott Mantz
"Love and Basketball"
Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Most people
go through their whole lives and never figure out what they really
want to do. They just sort of go with the flow and do whatever comes
their way. Then there are other people who not only know exactly
what they want to do, but they've known it for their whole lives.
As much as they may have everything all planned out, even the most
focused people can get blind-sided by unforeseen events. What it
eventually comes down to, is that you have to make the most of the
journey, and if you're fortunate to reach your goal, well then that's
just icing on the cake. In the engaging and powerful "Love and Basketball",
Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps are two lifelong friends who share a
passion for basketball so intense that it overshadows the passion
they have for each other.
Ever since they
were kids, Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) have shared
an undying love for basketball. As they grow up and their hobby
becomes a career, they realize that they also have an undying love
for each other. Their friendship blossoms into a full blown romance,
but competitive rivalry starts to interfere. Quincy's popularity,
not to mention his father's former NBA pro status, all but assures
his place on the court. Monica is just as talented, but she has
a lot more to prove and doesn't get along that well with her teammates.
It's just a matter of time before their careers take center stage,
and they must choose between love and basketball.
Considering
it's her first time behind the camera, director Gina Prince-Bythewood
makes an impressive debut. She keeps the film centered on the relationship--not
the sports--because that's where the real heart and soul of the
movie lies. The sports will no doubt appeal to the men, but it is
the passion between Lathan and Epps that solidifies "Love" as an
excellent date film.
Since it is
divided into quarters, we see the buildup of their career and their
relationship. Each quarter, which represents a different phase of
their journey, is its own little story. When important choices have
to be made, Prince-Bythewood captures the pain in trying to balance
what's right in your head with what's right in your heart.
Sanaa Lathan
is a thrill to watch. The emotional turmoil that she goes through
in her quest for love and career is written on her face, and it's
an engaging, moving, and powerful performance. She's so driven to
prove herself on the court that she forgets that she is also a beautiful
woman. She's more at home in a tank top and shorts than she is in
a dress. In fact, when she dolls herself up to go to a dance, she
finds herself naturally sitting with her legs apart like she's waiting
on the sidelines to be called into a game.
Omar Epps also
puts in a strong performance. Having a dad who's a former NBA pro
may seem like a sure thing, but when he discovers that his seemingly
perfect family has a few problems, he is devastated. He also learns
the hard way that having something to fall back on, as his father
was prone to suggest, was not such a bad idea after all.
Sure, it's important
to enjoy the journey, but it's really the goal that drives you to
take that journey in the first place. There are so many steps that
you have to take to reach that goal, so don't forget to stop every
once in a while to smell the roses. Live for the moment. You never
know where fate will plant your soul.
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