Love & Basketball
New Line Cinema | Release Date: April 21, 2000 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
73
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews
Positive:
24
Mixed:
4
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Village VoiceAmy Taubin
Prince-Bythewood gives the film a style that's easy on the eye but also has muscle -- on and off the court. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Lathan, charismatic and beautifully strong, holds the screen in every scene. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesEric Harrison
In her first feature, writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood tells a familiar tale with first-rate acting and an underlying sense of authenticity.
88
Boston GlobeJay Carr
The cinematic equivalent of a high, arching rainbow of a three-pointer from midcourt. Read full review
88
Baltimore SunAnn Hornaday
The conventional and the cliche are slam-dunked in favor of a fresh, authentic take on passion, ambition and coming of age. Read full review
88
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Makes hoops look like the sexiest game in town. Read full review
88
LarsenOnFilmJosh Larsen
It might be corny, but the basketball nerd in me can’t resist their rivalrously romantic games of one on one, which is a sweet motif throughout the film. Read full review
83
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Oxmaker
Uses sports as metaphor for life with rare twist. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
Although the writing and the directing are smart and purposeful, the movie takes flight on the strength of its performances. Read full review
80
Film.comGemma Files
A startling debut full of emotional depth and political punch. Read full review
75
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Any critic likes to predict the rise of a star, so let me introduce you to Gina Prince-Bythewood. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Not as taut as it could have been, but I prefer its emotional perception to the pumped-up sports cliches I was sort of expecting. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
Love and basketball -- if you like either one, here is a movie for you. Read full review
75
Miami HeraldPhoebe Flowers
Never really more than an amiable Cinderella story, but it leavens its subject with such heart, such idealism and such pure eroticism that it's nearly a total success. Read full review
75
San Francisco ExaminerWesley Morris
Prince-Bythewood's movie is an occasionally clunky, mostly engaging coming out party for herself. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
The biggest missteps come toward the end, when Prince-Bythewood's storybook instincts get the best of her and force a wrap-up that doesn't feel earned. Read full review
75
Mr. ShowbizKevin Maynard
It's a tad too generic to be a slam dunk. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
The lush, emotional scenes are enhanced by the sound track. Read full review
70
Washington PostStephen Hunter
This one has crossover hit written all over it. Read full review
70
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
It's in the small touches that this movie comes alive, and it's rare that directors can pull off this kind of thing. Read full review
70
Film.comSean Means
It's Lathan -- with her passionate performance, physical grace and drop-dead-gorgeous looks -- who makes Love and Basketball so entertaining. Read full review
70
VarietyEmanuel Levy
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. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleRussell Smith
The fact that the blatantly thumbtacked-on happy ending plays as unvarnished fairy tale adds a definite bittersweet tang of irony. Read full review
63
USA TodayAndy Seiler
One wishes producer Spike Lee had stepped in to give the dialogue some sass. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The movie's performances, especially Lathan's, are strong enough to balance out the sometimes-clichéd script. Read full review
58
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
The film's best sequences -- the troubles of the young woman -- are gems adrift in a sea of Jell-O. Read full review
50
New York PostJonathan Foreman
Strong cast is defeated by a labored, screenplay in this overlong, clunky love story. Read full review
50
NewsweekAndrea C. Basora
While the first half showcases an impressive new directorial talent, the last two quarters fail to score. Read full review
20
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
A film built upon transitions so weak and obvious it's astonishing the entire thing doesn't collapse on itself. Read full review
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