Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageHow Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Stella's got a spunky loving son, a big numbers job on the money markets (if it counts) and great-fitting pink running pants. But since she and her husband split, something's been missing. Still, a 40-year-old girl will dream, and when Stella appears to herself in a luscious vacation ad, Jamaica beckons - even if it takes her merrily dissolute friend Delilah (Goldberg) to force the issue. Lo, strapping Winston Shakespeare (Diggs) sees the shine in her, but as the fling turns serious, her cares return - he's half her age. Shirley Valentine meets Harold and Maude. The package holiday movie has its place and, as Waiting to Exhale suggested, Terry McMillan's cosmetic novels of the heart provide ideal material for this very literal type of cinematic escapism. Bassett is consistently watchable, but what with Stella's increasingly rambling relationship hesitancy, and Diggs' studious Jamaican accent adding 15 minutes to the running time, it's a long haul for such a flighty outing.Author: NB
User reviews of this film
-
- Reina Robinson said...
- Posted on Mar 23 2009 20:50 This movie wa great!!! and i am now a huge Michael J. Pagan Fan... His latest movie he has is called Chain Letter.. it looks so scary in excited!!!
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Producer: Deborah Schindler
Cast: Angela Bassett, Whoopi Goldberg, Regina King, Suzzanne Douglas, Taye Diggs, Michael J Pagan, Sicily, Carl Lumbly full cast
Duration: 124 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now