Love Jones (film)

Last updated
Love Jones
LoveJonesMovie.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTheodore Witcher
Written by Theodore Witcher
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyErnest Holzman
Edited by Maysie Hoy
Music by Darryl Jones
Distributed by New Line Cinema
Release dates
  • January 17, 1997 (1997-01-17)(Sundance)
  • March 14, 1997 (1997-03-14)(United States)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$7 million [1]
Box office$12.7 million [2]

Love Jones (stylized as love jones) is a 1997 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Theodore Witcher, in his feature film directing debut. The film stars Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Bill Bellamy, and Lisa Nicole Carson.

Contents

Two of the poems recited by Nia Long's character, Nina, were written by Sonia Sanchez and are included in her book Like the Singing Coming Off the Drums: Love Poems. [3] [4]

Love Jones had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 1997, [5] and was released in the United States on March 14, 1997, by New Line Cinema. Although the film received favorable critical reviews, it was not a financial success. It is Theodore Witcher's only directorial work to date. [1]

Plot

In Chicago, Darius Lovehall is a poet who is giving a reading at the Sanctuary, an upscale nightclub presenting jazz and poetry to a bohemian clientele. Shortly before his set, he meets Nina Mosley, a gifted photographer. They exchange small talk, and Darius makes his interest clear when he retitles his love poem "A Blues For Nina". A mutual attraction is sparked between them. Darius runs into Nina for the second time at the record store and asks her out for drinks. Nina tells him it's bad timing, but Darius doesn't want to take no for an answer. He talks his friend Sheila into letting him copy Nina's address from the check she wrote, goes to another record store to get the CD she was looking for and then shows up at her place unexpectedly to deliver the CD and ask her out for a second time. They have sex on the first date, but neither Darius or Nina are sure what to do next. Nina has just gotten out of a relationship and is unsure if she still cares for her old boyfriend; Darius, meanwhile, is unsure about whether or not to admit that he really cares for Nina.

Just as Darius dares to begin believing that Nina could be "the one," Nina's ex-beau Marvin invites her to join him in New York to try to work things out. After a night with Darius, Nina tells him that she is going to New York because of unfinished business. More as a test of Darius' feelings than as an earnest attempt to resolve things with Marvin, Nina leaves, only to return to find that Darius has been fooling around with another woman. At this, Nina steps out with Darius' self-satisfied buddy Hollywood, sparking a blowup between the men and a reconciliation between the lovers, which does not last, requiring yet another separation and subsequent attempt to set things right.

Cast

Production

The producers of Love Jones stated that they wanted to make a modern film about African-American life that did not use violence and recreational drugs as elements in the story. [6] [7]

Soundtrack

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 76% approval rating based on reviews from 29 critics, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The consensus summarizes: "An endearing romance that puts a fairly fresh perspective on familiar framework, Love Jones is worth falling for." [8] On Metacritic it has a score of 65% based on reviews from 22 critics. [9] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "A" on scale of A to F. [10]

Roger Ebert gave the film a score of three out of four stars, and expressed the view that "There is also a bow to the unconventional in the ending of his film. Many love stories contrive to get their characters together at the end. This one contrives, not to keep them apart, but to bring them to a bittersweet awareness that is above simple love. Some audience members would probably prefer a romantic embrace in the sunset, as the music swells. But Love Jones is too smart for that." He also noted on the acting: "It's hard to believe that Tate--so smooth, literate and attractive here--played the savage killer O-Dog in Menace II Society . Nia Long was Brandi, one of the girl friends, in Boyz n the Hood . Love Jones extends their range, to put it mildly". [11]

James Berardinelli, writing for ReelReviews, also awarded the film three out of four stars, writing that "There are several reasons why this film works better than the common, garden-variety love story. To begin with, the setting and texture are much different than that of most mainstream romances. The culture, in which post-college African Americans mingle while pursuing careers and relationships, represents a significant change from what we're used to. The Sanctuary, the intimate Chicago nightclub where Darius and Nina meet, is rich in its eclectic, bluesy atmosphere. And Love Jones's dialogue is rarely trite. When the characters open their mouths, it usually is because they have something intelligent to say, not because they're trying to fill up dead air with meaningless words". [12] [13]

Home media

The film was released on VHS by New Line Home Entertainment. [14] It later received a standalone DVD release, [15] as well as a New Line "double feature" DVD release, the latter of which also included the 1996 film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate . [16]

A 4K restoration of the film was released on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection on March 29, 2022. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Chasing Amy</i> 1997 American romantic comedy-drama film by Kevin Smith

Chasing Amy is a 1997 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Kevin Smith and starring Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, and Jason Lee. The third film in Smith's View Askewniverse series, the film is about a male comic artist (Affleck) who falls in love with a lesbian (Adams), to the displeasure of his best friend (Lee).

<i>Days of Heaven</i> 1978 American romantic period drama film by Terrence Malick

Days of Heaven is a 1978 American romantic period drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick, and starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard and Linda Manz. Set in 1916, it tells the story of Bill and Abby, lovers who travel to the Texas Panhandle to harvest crops for a wealthy farmer. Bill persuades Abby to claim the fortune of the dying farmer by tricking him into a false marriage.

Larenz Tate is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his roles as O-Dog in Menace II Society, Anthony Curtis in Dead Presidents, and as Councilman Rashad Tate in Power. Tate's other films and television series include the films Love Jones, A Man Apart, Crash, Waist Deep, Ray and the television series Rush and Game of Silence.

<i>When a Man Loves a Woman</i> (film) 1994 American film

When a Man Loves a Woman is a 1994 American romantic drama film directed by Luis Mandoki and written by Al Franken and Ronald Bass. The film stars Andy García, Meg Ryan, Tina Majorino, Mae Whitman, Ellen Burstyn, Lauren Tom, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

<i>In the Bleak Midwinter</i> (film) 1995 British film

In the Bleak Midwinter is a 1995 British romantic comedy film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Many of the roles in the film were written for specific actors. This was the first film directed by Branagh in which he did not appear.

<i>Beyond the Valley of the Dolls</i> 1970 film

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a 1970 American satirical musical melodrama film starring Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, Phyllis Davis, John LaZar, Michael Blodgett, and David Gurian. The film was directed by Russ Meyer and screenwritten by Roger Ebert from a story by Ebert and Meyer.

<i>The Scorpion King</i> 2002 film by Chuck Russell

The Scorpion King is a 2002 sword and sorcery action adventure film directed by Chuck Russell, starring Dwayne Johnson in the title role, Steven Brand, Kelly Hu, Grant Heslov and Michael Clarke Duncan. It is both a prequel and spin-off of The Mummy franchise and launched The Scorpion King film series. The film marks Johnson's first lead role. It received mixed reviews and grossed $180.6 million worldwide against the production budget of $60 million.

<i>That Darn Cat</i> (1997 film) 1997 American film by Bob Spiers

That Darn Cat is a 1997 American mystery comedy film directed by Bob Spiers, written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, and starring Christina Ricci and Doug E. Doug. It is a remake of the 1965 film That Darn Cat!, which in turn was based on the 1963 book Undercover Cat by Gordon and Mildred Gordon.

<i>Fever Pitch</i> (2005 film) 2005 American romantic comedy-drama film

Fever Pitch is a 2005 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by the Farrelly brothers. It stars Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon and is a remake of the British 1997 film of the same title. Nick Hornby, who had written the original 1992 book and the 1997 screenplay adaptation, acted as an executive producer for the American remake.

<i>Heaven & Earth</i> (1993 film) 1993 film directed by Oliver Stone

Heaven & Earth is a 1993 American biographical war drama film written and directed by Oliver Stone, and starring Tommy Lee Jones, Haing S. Ngor, Joan Chen, and Hiep Thi Le. It is the third and final film in Stone's Vietnam War trilogy, following Platoon (1986) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989).

James Berardinelli is an American film critic and former engineer. His reviews are mainly published on his blog ReelViews. Approved as a critic by the aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, he has published two collections of reviews of movies on DVD and video. He is also a fantasy novelist, publishing a trilogy from 2015 through 2016 known as The Last Whisper of the Gods.

<i>Why Do Fools Fall in Love</i> (film) 1998 film by Gregory Nava

Why Do Fools Fall in Love is a 1998 American biographical drama film directed by Gregory Nava. Released by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the true story of Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the pioneering rock and roll group Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers for one year. Moreover, the film highlights the three women in his life, each of whom claim to have married Lymon and lay claim to his estate.

<i>The Last Days of Disco</i> 1998 film by Whit Stillman

The Last Days of Disco is a 1998 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Whit Stillman, and loosely based on his travels and experiences in various nightclubs in Manhattan, including Studio 54. Starring Chloë Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale, the film follows a group of Ivy League and Hampshire College graduates falling in and out of love in the disco scene of New York City in the early 1980s.

<i>Excess Baggage</i> (1997 film) 1997 American film

Excess Baggage is a 1997 American crime comedy film written by Max D. Adams, Dick Clement, and Ian La Frenais, and directed by Marco Brambilla about a neglected young heiress who stages her own kidnapping to get her father's attention, only to be actually kidnapped by a car thief. The film stars Alicia Silverstone, Benicio del Toro, and Christopher Walken. Upon release, it was a critical and commercial failure.

<i>The Postman</i> (film) 1997 film by Kevin Costner

The Postman is a 1997 American epic post-apocalyptic adventure film produced and directed by Kevin Costner, who plays the lead role. The screenplay was written by Eric Roth and Brian Helgeland, based on David Brin's 1985 book of the same name. The film also features Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, and Tom Petty.

<i>The Unbelievable Truth</i> (film) 1989 film by Hal Hartley

The Unbelievable Truth is a 1989 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Hal Hartley and starring Adrienne Shelly and Robert Burke. It tells the story of Audry, who dumps her high-school boyfriend and becomes a successful fashion model, but all along is in love with a mysterious man called Josh, released after conviction for manslaughter. He, after his experiences, is uncomfortable with relationships, but learns that he cannot stay an observer of life and must fight to win her. The film was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize in 1990 at the Sundance Film Festival. Along with Trust (1990) and Simple Men (1992), it is Hartley's first feature film and the first part of "Long Island trilogy" retrospectively.

<i>Only You</i> (1994 film) 1994 American romantic comedy film

Only You is a 1994 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Jewison and starring Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., and Bonnie Hunt. Written by Diane Drake and Malia Scotch Marmo (uncredited), the film is about a young woman whose search for the man she believes to be her soulmate leads her to Italy where she meets her destiny. Upon its release the film received mixed reviews, but critics praised Tomei and Downey's performances.

<i>Normal Life</i> 1996 American film

Normal Life is a 1996 American crime drama film based on the real lives of husband-and-wife bank robbers, Jeffrey and Jill Erickson. The film stars Ashley Judd and Luke Perry and was directed by John McNaughton. The original screenplay was written by husband-and-wife team Peg Haller and Bob Schneider.

<i>Kiss or Kill</i> (1997 film) 1997 Australian film

Kiss or Kill is a 1997 Australian thriller about two lovers and fugitives from the law who are pursued across the Australian Outback. The film was written and directed by Bill Bennett, and stars Frances O'Connor and Matt Day.

Theodore Witcher is an American writer and director. He is known for writing and directing the film Love Jones (1997).

References

  1. 1 2 "'Love Jones' director Theodore Witcher hopes his departure film of the black experience opens Hollywood's eyes". Los Angeles Times . 20 March 1997.
  2. ↑ "Love Jones". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Setting, Characters Make 'Love Jones' a Bit Different". Orlando Sentinel. March 30, 1997. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  4. ↑ Yohannes, Neyat (December 15, 2016). "Five Reasons to Love Love Jones". cléo. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  5. ↑ "With 'Love Jones,' black love took center stage: An oral history". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ Seavor, Jim. "'love jones' is a fresh look at an oft-told tale." The Providence Journal . March 14, 1997. E03. Retrieved on February 11, 2012. "The people behind love jones say they wanted to make a contemporary film about African-American life that did not deal with guns and drugs"
  7. ↑ Honor, Billy Michael (March 8, 2017). "Reflecting on Love Jones 20 years Later". HuffPost . Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  8. ↑ "Love Jones". Rotten Tomatoes .
  9. ↑ "Love Jones". Metacritic .
  10. ↑ "LOVE JONES (1997) A". CinemaScore . Archived from the original on 2018-12-20.
  11. ↑ Ebert, Roger (March 14, 1997). "Love Jones". Chicago Sun-Times – via RogerEbert.com.
  12. ↑ Berardinelli, James. "Review: Love Jones". Reelviews.net.
  13. ↑ "11 Quotes From 'Love Jones' That Are Still Relevant 20 Years Later". BET.com . March 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ Love Jones [VHS]. ISBN   0780619439.
  15. ↑ "Love Jones (DVD)". Amazon.com . Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Love Jones/Thin Line Between Love and Hate (DBFE) (DVD)". Amazon.com . Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ "love jones (1997)". The Criterion Collection . Retrieved March 7, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.