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How Stella Got Her Groove Back

  • 1998
  • R
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:21
1 Video
36 Photos
Romantic ComedyComedyDramaRomance

Stella is a highly successful, forty-something San Francisco stock broker who is persuaded by her colorful New York girlfriend Delilah to take a well deserved, first-class vacation to Jamaic... Read allStella is a highly successful, forty-something San Francisco stock broker who is persuaded by her colorful New York girlfriend Delilah to take a well deserved, first-class vacation to Jamaica.Stella is a highly successful, forty-something San Francisco stock broker who is persuaded by her colorful New York girlfriend Delilah to take a well deserved, first-class vacation to Jamaica.

  • Director
    • Kevin Rodney Sullivan
  • Writers
    • Terry McMillan
    • Ron Bass
  • Stars
    • Angela Bassett
    • Taye Diggs
    • Whoopi Goldberg
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    8.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kevin Rodney Sullivan
    • Writers
      • Terry McMillan
      • Ron Bass
    • Stars
      • Angela Bassett
      • Taye Diggs
      • Whoopi Goldberg
    • 57User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    How Stella Got Her Groove Back
    Trailer 2:21
    How Stella Got Her Groove Back

    Photos36

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    Top cast40

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    Angela Bassett
    Angela Bassett
    • Stella Payne
    Taye Diggs
    Taye Diggs
    • Winston Shakespeare
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Delilah Abraham
    Regina King
    Regina King
    • Vanessa
    Suzzanne Douglas
    Suzzanne Douglas
    • Angela
    Michael J. Pagan
    • Quincy Payne
    Sicily Johnson
    Sicily Johnson
    • Chantel
    • (as Sicily)
    Richard Lawson
    Richard Lawson
    • Jack
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    • Buddy
    Lee Weaver
    Lee Weaver
    • Nate
    Glynn Turman
    Glynn Turman
    • Dr. Shakespeare
    Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
    Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
    • Mrs. Shakespeare
    Denise Hunt
    • Ms. Thang
    Lisa Hanna
    • Abby
    James Pickens Jr.
    James Pickens Jr.
    • Walter Payne
    Philip Casnoff
    Philip Casnoff
    • Kennedy
    Lou Myers
    Lou Myers
    • Uncle Ollie
    D'Army Bailey
    • Minister
    • Director
      • Kevin Rodney Sullivan
    • Writers
      • Terry McMillan
      • Ron Bass
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews57

    5.78.7K
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    Featured reviews

    Michael_Pilkington

    'Stella' lacks groove

    Angela Bassett ("Waiting to Exhale") is talented and buff as Stella, a single mother/career woman who's in need of a vacation. Stella decides to head for Jamaica with her best friend, Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg in a fine supporting role). Stella meets 20-year-old Winston (Taye Diggs). They fall in love, in-spite of Stella's emotional insecurities. Terry McMillan adapted from her novel based on her real-life experience. I hate to say this, but unlike "Waiting to Exhale," this overlong movie barely holds up to the book, because of too many plot holes and too many unnecessary characters. On the contrary, Diggs turns in an impressive performance as well. My evaluation: ** out of ****.
    skillz

    Follow McMillan's Lead

    "How Stella Got her Groove Back" was a refreshing change from the legion of "Hood" movies that have infested the 1990's. The movie; based on the Terry McMillan novel by the same name; stars: Angela Bassett as a fortyish six-figure income, single mom that falls for a young stud while vacationing in Jamaica.

    "Stella" did not have a plot that revolved around: violence, guns and drugs. It effectively portrays the stigma attached to a older woman-younger man relationship, without pandering to a lot of ethnic stereotypes! It showed what a fine actress Angela Bassett was. It also showed Angela Bassett in skivvies!

    Every woman that has been accused of "Robbing the Cradle" can relate to this motion picture! How Stella got Her Groove Back effectively portrayed an age gap love story. It takes character to see beyond the age difference in a romantic relationship.
    7shelleypw

    A good chick flick

    You know, when you're in the mood for a fantasy chick flick, this IS good. I mean it CAN be unrealistic but if it were a guy (the main character) would it be different than half the movies out there? Personally I tried to turn the darned thing off, but it was 3 am, my night off, and I ended up flaking on the couch and watching it. I liked it. Its nice to have a feel good movie without violence and people blowing each other up. The characters were too perfect, they lived perfect lives, and for me it was nice to get away. Maybe I fell asleep :P but no complaints. I didn't pay to see it, nor would I buy it. Its the perfect movie to watch with your girlfriends, have some wine, and complain about their perfect lives ;) Overall the story line deals with true issues and can make you think about your own life..... Thats all :P
    8DrkHartGrl

    A Truly Romantic yet Kinda Corny Movie...

    The first time I saw this movie I wanted to immediately hop a plane to Jamaica! I don't think it was the "meet the man of my dreams" part, but the scenery. It was just breathtaking (although the men aren't too bad to look at either!). As for the story, it was a good distraction from typical reality, because, let's face it ladies, we believe that doesn't happen everyday (especially to ourselves). The soundtrack was another good part of the movie, I just loved it. This movie is the kind that gives you hope for true romantic love, but in this cynical day and age most people don't let themselves be pulled in, or fooled, by the seemingly unrealistic situation. For those of us with a little romance still left, this is a wonderful movie. For those without, I'm sorry. (These are my thoughts excluding the latest headlines, I don't want to spoil my original feeling toward the movie).
    8mgentalen

    Emotionally Moving

    I've heard of When Stella Got Her Groove Back, for years, but never until today checked it out. Stella, Angie Basset, is a day trader living in San Francisco. Stella has a child recently divorced, but is convinced to take a trip,

    We go to Jamaica where a 20 year old man has the hots for Stella, she is not sure at first. They do a one night stand, thinking this will be the last we see of each other; Winston calls Stella at home asking for her to come back, and I miss you.

    Throughout the film, both sides of the family are skeptical of the age difference until they see how much Winston and Stella care about each other.

    Angie's and Whoopie's acting in this is just. Stellar! This is a great movie to make you feel better.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally cast as the old man who hits on Stella Payne during her initial stay in Jamaica, all of Danny Glover's scenes were deleted from the final cut. He's seen briefly in this movie during the scene where Stella, submerged in a pool, is talking to Winston Shakespeare (who's standing poolside), and points out an older man who's been hitting on her during her stay. In a quick long shot, Glover can be seen in old age make-up holding a flower he intends to give to Stella.
    • Goofs
      When Winston is going to show Stella the room he made her for building furniture it is dark, but when Winston opens the door you can easily see that there is sunlight coming through the doorway.
    • Quotes

      Stella Payne: This from the guy who makes a midnight run to the video store and comes back with Booty Call and the Lion King!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: How Stella Got Her Groove Back/Return to Paradise/Snake Eyes/The Rat Pack/Full Tilt Boogie (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Free Again
      Performed by Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler & Jazzie B

      Written by Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III), Terry Lewis, Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B (as Beresford Romeo)

      Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc.

      Caron Wheeler appears courtesy of Airtight Records

      Jazzie B. appears courtesy of Funki Dred Records

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 14, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Volver a Amar
    • Filming locations
      • Montego Bay, Cornwall, Jamaica
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $37,672,941
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,318,919
      • Aug 16, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $39,278,722
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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