Project Title
Gender in Gina Prince-Bythewood's Love & Basketball
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - English
Research Mentor Name
Anna Weinstein
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball (2000) is what one could call a classic Black film. The love story between Monica Wright (portrayed by Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) is just as fondly remembered as When Harry Met Sally – one of Prince-Bythewood’s inspirations. The relationship is made even more memorable for its unflinching portrayal of gender dynamics in the Black community: Monica is a hot-headed and ambitious tomboy whose childhood dream was to be the first woman in the NBA; Quincy has been the golden boy for most of his life, but he still struggles with his understanding what a real man is supposed to be like. In this presentation, I will analyze Prince-Bythewood’s screenplay and explore the historical context of the film to paint a picture of how the Black culture of the 1980s and 1990s affected the film’s view of gender relations in the community.
Gender in Gina Prince-Bythewood's Love & Basketball
Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball (2000) is what one could call a classic Black film. The love story between Monica Wright (portrayed by Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) is just as fondly remembered as When Harry Met Sally – one of Prince-Bythewood’s inspirations. The relationship is made even more memorable for its unflinching portrayal of gender dynamics in the Black community: Monica is a hot-headed and ambitious tomboy whose childhood dream was to be the first woman in the NBA; Quincy has been the golden boy for most of his life, but he still struggles with his understanding what a real man is supposed to be like. In this presentation, I will analyze Prince-Bythewood’s screenplay and explore the historical context of the film to paint a picture of how the Black culture of the 1980s and 1990s affected the film’s view of gender relations in the community.