Recommended for its willingness to tackle more than just winning or losing the game.
Comment
01/01/00
Love and Basketball (2000)
81
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:86
Fresh:70
Rotten:16
Average Rating:6.6/10
Consensus: Confident directing and acting deliver an insightful look at young athletes.
Synopsis: LOVE AND BASKETBALL is the powerful story of two next-door neighbors in Los Angeles who grow up loving basketball and, eventually, each other. Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) have... [More]
Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Reviews for Love and Basketball
Top CriticThis romantic drama from writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood is well-acted.
08/07/08
The surprise element here is that the film takes Monica's career, and her love of the game, as seriously, probably more seriously, than it does Quincy's.
03/24/08
Told largely from the point of view of the woman, this career-versus-love story still develops the perspective of the man persuasively, as Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps reveal their characters' motives with nuances of expression that transcend the dialogue.
03/26/07
The pic is so well directed and lead performance by Sanaa Lathan so charismatic that audiences will overlook the script's flaws and root for the central duo.
03/26/07
Top CriticStylishly shot and bursting with visual and sexual energy, this is confident black women's film-making and an eloquent tribute to the girl with the permanently grazed knees -- and about time too.
06/24/06
Satisfying, enjoyable and smart.
07/21/05
Thanks to Spike Lee's production company for giving a talented newcomer a good start.
04/09/05
Mawkishly heartfelt, but actress Sanaa Lathan performs as if she were lit from within.
08/07/04
Click to read the article
08/01/03
An unusual but engaging mix of the overwrought and the understated, a picture that, at two hours plus, keeps threatening to overstay its welcome and yet always pulls us back into its conversational orbit.
12/23/02
It's a fine example of a conventionally made picture which follows all the rules yet still emerges as fresh and original.
12/03/02
Prince-Bythewood, a first-time feature filmmaker out of UCLA's film school, tells a story that is at once warm and heartfelt -- and often funny as well.
10/21/02
The chemistry between the two stars is exactly right. They are entirely believable as friends, as rivals and as lovers -- a tricky combination for any acting pair.
10/15/02
Click to read the article
03/24/02
This film does at least feature superior acting and a solid script.
12/10/01
The humor is terrific, the cinematography has a burnished glow, and the score is lush.
02/09/01
Top CriticThis one has crossover hit written all over it.
02/09/01
Top CriticA sweet tale.
01/01/00
The most passionate, clear-sighted movie ever made about women in sports.
01/01/00
Latest News for Love and Basketball
February 02, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Something" Ain't Nothing, "Call" Is Not Screened
This week at the movies brings something new ("Something New") and something remade ("When a Stranger Calls"). What do the critics say? More...
June 23, 2005:
Roller-Skating "Jellybeans"?
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of a new project that sounds a lot like "You Got Served ... Candy!" Evan Ross Naess, son of Ms. Diana Ross, is in final negotiations... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi? 
The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.
New Moon Portraits
TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser
Win the entire 007 collection
Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection
IGN RSS Feeds