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MOVIE REVIEW (R)
Unlike the more common love themes we have seen in movies lately, 20th Century Fox's new release "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" presents a reversed love story between a younger man and an older woman, something we may not have seen much of lately, either in reality or on screen.
It may be a thin story, but director Kevin Rodney Sullivan and a professional and for the most part recognized cast make this movie worth seeing. It will probably not be remembered in10 years, but it is acceptable as an addition to the love story genre.
The audience seems to like what they see, too. As of Sunday, the movie's third day in release, the movie theater was just about full. Full of women and a few men accompanying their wives or girlfriends. Without question the love story between Stella (Angela Bassett) and Winston (Taye Diggs) is a story targeted toward women.
It is also a great success for Bassett who looks great in her role as 40-year-old Stella. Of course, her male opponent is no exception either, but New Jersey-born Diggs (with a convincing Jamaican accent) is a welcome newcomer in the movie industry, and his debut in "Stella" certainly deserves a hearty commendation.
Stella is a busy, successful San Francisco single woman who when not working hard as a stockbroker, works hard raising her 11-year-old son Quincy (Michael J. Pagan). Stella is divorced from her husband and has been without a man for years, something her sisters Angela (Suzzanne Douglas) and Vanessa (Regina King) keep reminding her of. Even Stella's own son looks after his mom and when he leaves for vacation, his last words to his mom are "Try to have some fun while I am gone."
And yes, Stella definitely has some fun while he is gone. Together with long-time best friend Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg), Stella takes off for a two-week vacation in Jamaica. A two-week vacation that turns out to be unforgettable.
Soon after her arrival, Stella runs into sexy, young Winston. She is astounded by his attentions, and despite her own judgment not to get involved with him because of the age difference, the attraction between the two grows.
It could have been only attraction at first, but as the movie continues, love erupts into full bloom. From then on, however, the movie becomes predictable.
"Stella" has the love scenes and everything else a love story is supposed to have. It is rated R for reasons of language and sexuality with some steamy sequences. "Stella" has its share of comedy as well, thanks to Goldberg's attitude and dialogue.
The love between Stella and Winston of course does not go without complications. Not only Winston's mom and Stella's sisters, but also Stella herself worry about the age gap. Truthfully, it is not too common to see that kind of age difference in a relationship, at least not when the female is older.
To believe that age is just a number is not too hard when we see Bassett and Diggs together. Stella says many times that she is old enough to be his mother, but her youthful beauty and Winston's maturity diminish the age gap.
Although this movie does not contain any earth-shattering contributions, its two hour four minute length is filled with sensual moments and comic elements.