Film Review: How Stella Got Her Groove Back

Quite to my surprise, this movie does something else equally important – it demonstrates the current paradigm of the successful Black single parent household. Gone are the vestiges of the stereotypical welfare mother. We see a proud divorcee who is successful in her own right. How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a delightful movie which tells an important story for our time.

Basically, Stella, accurately played by Angela Bassett decides with flagrant spontaneity, to take a vacation with her best friend, Deliah (Whoppi Goldberg), on the island of Jamaica. Once there, the two of them are pursued by middle aged men looking for hot, "responsibility free" sex. Stella is able to rebuff them all with the exception of Winston Shakespeare, whose nurturing masculinity is skillfully acted out by Taye Diggs. His wisdom, kindness, strength, and sharp wit eventually win her heart and soon thereafter, her body. There is no explicit sex but merely its titillating byproduct in the form of raptured sensitivity by Winston, and the tortured insecurity of new love as Stella doubts what she knows in her heart, that this man truly loves her. She struggles to override a morally binding custom that has haunted women forever; "is it proper for an older woman to date and love a younger man?"

The rest of the film presents us a closer look at the culture of romance in the 90’s. It is especially interesting to observe writer Terry Mcmillan’s accurate portrayal of social caveats new to our time. For example; there’s a BBQ where Stella’s ex-husband is giving advice to his younger replacement, Winston. There’s not a touch of the expected animosity. The friendly banter between the two men is actually dramatically comedic. Stella’s son is a jewel to watch. His caring protectiveness of his mother is precious. Her respect and admiration for the fourteen year old was curiously perfect. I say curious because you will wonder if this type of relationship really exist. I think so! Stella has two sisters, Angela and Vanessa. You’ve just got to see the contrast between the two where neither is right and neither is wrong. I personally loved the ambulance-driving Vanessa played brilliantly by Regina King. This whole thing between Angela, Vanessa, and Stella is a textbook study in sibling ‘something’ as I’m not sure that ‘rivalry’ is the correct word. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

The cinematography is wonderfully shot by Jeffrey Jur. The panoramic scenes of Jamaica, New York, and Stella’s office were phenomenal. The camera makes you feel as if you were actually there. The Jamaican tourist bureau should have paid 20^th Century Fox for shooting this film because the photography of the island is so spectacular that you will want to vacation there.

Are there any tarnished parts of How Stella Got Her Groove Back, the movie? Yes, but only for those who’ve read the book. Let me be clear here; If you’ve never read the book, you will absolutely love the movie. If you’ve read the book, you will be sorely disappointed but only insofar as much of the book is not in the movie. The spirit of the book is there, just not some of the essence. Much of that essence is due in part to the huge amount of dialogue given to Stella thoughts in the book that could not translate to the screen. The screenplay was written by McMillian and veteran Ron Bass(Step Mom,Rainmain)and was as faithful to the novel as was practical. Also the character of Delilah is not in the book, but is an integral part of the film. Don’t let that throw you. Whoppi pulls it off quite brilliantly. This is one instance where I suggest you read the book after seeing the movie.

Finally, this is not an ethnic film, it is a human film. Don’t let the all Black cast throw you. There’s something here for everyone whose ever felt the trepidation of society's forbidden love. I commend McMillan as this film is NOT the typical "male bashing" vehicle it could have been. Both the book and film are tender treatments about the astonishing turns one’s life can take and better yet, how we meet them in pursuit of love. Guys, don’t dismiss this one. You’ll hear that it’s a ‘chick’s film’. It’s not! It’s a pleasant step back giving you the opportunity to observe your own character, maturity, and wisdom in areas men are typically NOT that good at self examining – our emotions. See Stella and get your groove on.

See you at the movies

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