Part of Beloved: A Spotlight Series on Black Female Directors and Pizza and a Movie
The NBA is in the news, as is writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood whose latest film THE WOMAN KING made waves this fall. Thus we revisit her Y2K debut feature about two young next-door neighbors. Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) — who grow up next door to each other playing basketball, fighting and falling in love as simultaneous turns in the big leagues threaten to throw their off-court relationship off-kilter. Produced by Spike Lee and co-starring Dennis Haysbert and Alfre Woodard.
Join us for this Valentine’s Day edition of Pizza and a Movie — co-presented by Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria and the Belcourt Theatre, is a series of the best Black movies of the ‘90s.
“[Writer/director Gina] Prince-Bythewood takes the time to reveal the characters in all of their beauty, humanity, desires, and internal conflicts.” —Aramide Tinubu, The Spool
“It's in the small touches that this movie comes alive, and it's rare that directors can pull off this kind of thing.” —Elvis Mitchell, New York Times (Apr 21, 2000)
“[Writer/director Gina] Prince-Bythewood is most definitely the auteur: It's a treat to see a movie (in the spirit of EVE’S BAYOU) that gives so much time and attention to a strong female character. This is Monica's story as much as Quincy's.” —Desson Howe, Washington Post (Apr 21, 2000)
“[The] bare bones of the plot don't convey the movie's special appeal. Written and directed by first-timer Gina Prince-Bythewood (and produced by Spike Lee), it is a sports film seen mostly from the woman's point of view. It's honest and perceptive about love and sex, with no phony drama and a certain quiet maturity.” —Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times (Apr 21, 2000)