REVIEW: Love & Basketball
Even though it came out almost two decades ago, the movie Love & Basketball continues to be a classic, well-loved film.
Throughout the world, love is being challenged everyday. Every couple has problems that they face in their relationship; no relationship is flawless. In the movie Love & Basketball the main characters, Monica and Quincy, begin their rocky journey of love through basketball. Both Monica and Quincy are in love with the game of basketball, but, at the same time, they struggle with being in love with each other. They spend their lives competing and making one another jealous in different ways. But, at the end of the day they both know they belong to each other and finally realize after years of pretending. Love & Basketball teaches the life lesson that love is not easy. You win some, you lose some. But, love wins overall, even in the game of basketball.
One of the many hardships Monica and Quincy face in their relationship is miscommunication. Instead of talking to one another about the different obstacles they faced, they both would run away from it and turn to other “solutions”, such as, alcohol, other partners, and of course, basketball. And even when doing so, Monica and Quincy still made their way back to each other. I love how the author of the movie illustrates a prime example that you cannot fight love. A lot of the things Monica and Quincy went through had a lot to do with maturity. But, I love that the author makes it known that love always works itself out.
Meanwhile, instead of making time for each other and supporting one another, Monica and Quincy would always be in competition, especially when it came to basketball. They both were two stubborn young adults who wanted so badly to be with each other but instead would stay in competition. I love how the author of the movie shows real life examples of how love is in the real world. Sometimes couples do not know how to love each other, so they turn to things that they think will numb the love or make it disappear.
Furthermore, after all of the years of being away from each other, Monica and Quincy meet back up with one another. After finally confessing her love to Quincy they make a bet on a game of basketball. If Monica wins Quincy will give their relationship a chance. But, if Quincy wins, it is “over”. Well, quincy wins and of course my first thought when I watched the movie was that Quincy was done with Monica for good. But, his last words after he won the game was, “Better or nothing?” With that being said Monica ran into Quincy’s arms. They finally settled the score in “Love and Basketball”.
In conclusion, the author of the movie really displays a great example of love. According to Roger Ebert, “This movie is a sports film seen mostly from the woman’s point of view.” I agree with him because this movie indeed illustrates the hardships women have to face when it comes to love. Overall I really love this movie. It still to this day is my all time favorite love story.