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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

    7dynagirl

    Not as good as I hoped, but still worth a look

    Angela Bassett delivers another wonderful performance (is she not one of the greatest actors of out time?), but unfortunately, it's not enough to raise this movie to the level of greatness I expected from it.

    There's no doubt, the film is beautiful to look at and the performances are good all around. But the script is lacking that certain something that makes you believe the whys and hows. We can certainly understand why Stella fell in love with that 20 year old--he's gorgeous, sincere and very mature for his age. But the crucial information we're missing is why he falls for her.

    He approaches her because of her physcial beauty, but stays for an unknown reason. Why WOULD a 20 year old be so willing to pursue a woman twice his age after a casual meeting? Why is he so mature and understanding at such a young age? We'll never know and that's what kept me from believing this film.

    Another problem is the seemingly pointless demise of one of the characters (I won't say who). This event didn't carry the story forward and acted more as a detractor from the plot that anything else. It should have been used to help the other characters develop, but it instead that little subplot dissolved into oblivion.

    Overall, I would certainly recommend Stella. It was an enjoyable and sincere story. But it could have been so much better.
    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
    Bil-3

    **1/2 Film has no groove even if Stella does

    Stella gets her groove back, alright, but the film is still in need by the time you get to the end credits. Angela Bassett gives a kick-ass performance in the title role as a fortysomething woman who can't decide what to do when she falls in love with twenty-one year-old Taye Diggs while on vacation at a resort in Jamaica. Do 'im is what I say: if a woman like Bassett looks that good at the age of forty she deserves the best of everything. Besides, Diggs doesn't look nearly young enough for the part, and that keeps reality at bay for the two and some odd hours that the film runs at. The scene where teenage girls get in line behind the couple at a movie theatre and give Stella dirty looks for robbing the cradle always puzzles me; if I were that young an age and found myself standing behind Angela Bassett I'd be asking her what kind of skin creams does she use and does she work out and maybe there might be a portrait hidden in her attic that has all her sins hanging off it? Whoopi Goldberg gives the best and funniest performance in the film, but even she can't prevent the script by Ronald Bass and Terry McMillan (upon whose novel this is based) from seeming like it's two or three drafts short of being finished. Watch it if only for a great soundtrack and some beautiful photography of Jamaica's beaches.
    7fitissen

    Great Movie

    Angela Bassett does an outstanding job. To those of you who can't understand why Stella needs her groove back, you have only to look up the word mundane. No matter how much money you have or Chanel suits you own that doesn't mean you have true companionship. We all want a real connection someone to hold us, love us and tell us it will get better. And that transcends age and socio economics. Sometimes people are right on time. No one can go through the world completely alone. We never know what or how long any relationship will last so I suppose the most important thing is to seize the day. Make your own reality and Stella does that with dignity and with pride and admittedly with hesitation and fear. That's the sign of a very real character! Someone who is vulnerable. Someone you can understand even if you're not in the same situation.
    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).

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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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