Love and Basketball (2000)
My friend and a fellow film nerd has been trying to get me to watch Love & Basketball for years. The film is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary in 2020 and The Lightbox, here in Toronto, decided to screen it. Thank god they did because this film is a blast! There is a lot of great subtle film-making going on. The basketball action is shot clearly and never gets corny. The dialogue feels natural, but never looses sight of it’s thematic purpose. The wardrobe steals the show in what is easily my favourite shot of the movie, and all the leads are wearing are necklaces.
The most impressive feat of all, is the film’s ability to craft strong, imperfect characters. My mother has always told me that ours greatest strengths in life can also be our greatest flaws. This movie is masterful at using that point of view to craft fresh and human characters, that never feel like cliches. The film forces you to examine each character as a whole. Their stumbles and their moments of greatness hold equal measure, and it doesn’t provide you with simple answers when negotiating who’s right and who’s wrong because…
All’s Fair in Love & Basketball ❤
Biggest shout out to the sex scene, where a dude actually goes for a condom, and opens it, and puts it on. All while looking cool doing it. Much respect!!!
