Love & Basketball
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Love & Basketball is a 2000 romantic drama film, written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. This film stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. It is the story of two next-door neighbors in Los Angeles, California who grew up loving basketball and, eventually, each other. Gina Prince-Bythewood, a former college athlete, writes a tale of about love, and basketball. The film became a cult favorite.
Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) have wanted to be professional basketball stars since they were kids. Monica has had to work hard to establish herself as a presence, while Quincy was born with natural star potential. As the two struggle to reach their goals of playing professionally, they must also deal with their emotions for each other.
Monica is a fiercely driven, hot-tempered tomboy who gives her all for basketball. Quincy, the son of a NBA legend, has NBA dreams of his own. Next-door neighbors since they were eleven, they start as rivals and grow into lovers and friends. The romantic complications follow a familiar game plan, but the film throws a fascinating spotlight onto the contrast between men's and women's basketball. While Quincy plays college ball on huge courts to cheering, sold-out crowds, Monica sweats tears, and endures sheer physical dedication in front of tiny audiences in small gyms and second-rate auditoriums.
The story is set in the late 1980s, years before the establishment of the WNBA, so Monica's prospects for professional basketball lie exclusively in the European leagues, while Quincy steps into the pros at home. Monica's struggle over Quincy's opens eyes to her unique challenges with a sharp, savvy contrast. Alfre Woodard costars as Monica's harping mom (always trying to get her to be more ladylike despite secretly admiring her rebellious attitude) and Dennis Haysbert is Quincy's philandering but regretful father.
