Ayanna Aponte
Love and Basketball has been one of my favorite movies since it was released in 2000. The soundtrack to it was awesome! It was effective and appropriate. The songs fit the movie perfectly and actually complimented it. Since the movie was told through the 80's and 90's the music fit the time appropriately. It wasn't music from the 70's or the 50's but music that was within the time line. However, Al Green's LOVE AND HAPPINESS which open the beginning scene was a nice touch even though it wasn't directly from the given time period.The genre of the music was effective also. Love and Basketball is a predominately black film, directed by the one and only John Singleton, the music fit that standard. It wasn't Rock or Country Western that would most certainly ruin the movie, but it was a mixture of R&B and Rap music that they played. It was songs that many of the viewers and audience has heard before. That would send them back to their own memories of that time. Even the ones that may not remember it was music that they could dance to.The sound track as any other is to compliment the movie. Which the Love and Basketball sound track did just that. It was one of my favorite and was a great touch to one of my favorite movies.
abajoue
I recently bought the "Love & Basketball" special edition DVD, after having watched it at the theater when it first hit the box-office, and again on pay-per-view over 3 years ago. Watching L&B again after 3+ years, I was reminded of why I absolutely fell in LOVE with it in the first place. So many things that Monica and Q experienced in each "Quarter" of the movie brought back memories of my own high school and college experiences. In many ways, L&B was a coming-of-age movie for me. (Not to mention that the soundtrack is a fabulous trip down musical memory-lane). L&B is a poignant and touching modern story love story that follows the evolving lives and love of two young African-American athletes, as they navigate through the complications and changes thrown at them as they mature into adulthood. Sanaa Lathan is a standout in this movie. As always, with consummate ease, she infuses "humanness" and sincerity in to every character she plays. The on-screen chemistry between Sanaa and Omar is so perfect it just tugs at your heartstrings. It turns out they were a real-life couple around the time the movie was filmed/released, but real-life romance does not always guarantee on-screen chemistry (just look at "Eyes Wide Shut" with Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise). Fortunately, Sanaa and Omar's real-life chemistry came across wonderfully on screen. I think that the first love scene between Monica and Q is one of the most beautiful, touching, and tastefully done scenes of its kind in film. I NEVER cry at movies, and I was a little misty-eyed at the end--not typical for a love scene. Also, the second-to-last scene where Monica and Q play basketball one-on-one for Q's heart--accompanied by a spot-on track by Meshell Ndegeocello--brought a tear or two to my eyes. L&B is a classic love story, but it deftly manages to avoid triteness or unoriginality by giving the viewer subtle glimpses into several of life's realities as they impact Monica and Q. The marked disparity in opportunities for male and female athletes underscores the entire movie, and we get an inside look as Monica invests sweat and tears pursuing her dream. We also see the sacrifices and strength of both Monica and some of the supporting female characters in the movie, such as Monica and Q's mothers, and Monica's teammates. I loved the ending of this movie as well. By giving the audience a positive glimpse into the future, L&B delivered the "happy ending" that we've come to expect from romantic movies, without being corny, overly-sappy or unrealistic. L&B is a wonderful (under-recognized), timeless love story that will touch athletes and non-athletes like, and it is a "must" for any movie collection. A+
Shorty
This by far is one of my all time favorite movies. Dreaming myself of playing in the WNBA not only does it inspire me, but he has a great love story behind it. "Love and Basketball" can have two meanings to it. The love for the game, and the love for a guy or girl. They have to decide which is more important, and how to keep both of them in their life. Throughout the movie, this couple is juggling between the two. While one will find a good relationship more important the other will find basketball more important, then it will switch. Finally in the end both couples realize that the love each other will help them go further in basketball and they still maintain both. In a way it can have a lot to do with real life, you have to figure out what is most important in your life. Monica in the movie proved herself as a basketball player. With her parents not believing in her she pushed on and ended up playing pro. With her love for the game and her love for 'her man' she made it that far. I love this movie, and if your a basketball fan then I suggest it to you
