How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Kevin Rodney Sullivan

Writers:

Terry McMillan (novel), Terry McMillan (screenplay),

Stars:

Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Whoopi Goldberg

4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Angela Bassett	...	Stella Payne
Taye Diggs	...	Winston Shakespeare
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Delilah Abraham
Regina King	...	Vanessa
Suzzanne Douglas	...	Angela
Michael J. Pagan	...	Quincy Payne
Sicily Johnson	...	Chantel (as Sicily)
Richard Lawson	...	Jack
Barry Shabaka Henley	...	Buddy
Lee Weaver	...	Nate
Glynn Turman	...	Dr. Shakespeare
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney	...	Mrs. Shakespeare
Denise Hunt	...	Ms. Thang
Lisa Hanna	...	Abby
James Pickens Jr.	...	Walter Payne

Storyline

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. As she soaks in the beauty of the island, she encounters a strapping, young islander, Winston Shakespeare. His pursuits for her turn into a hot and steamy romance that forces Stella to take personal inventory of her life and try to find a balance between her desire for love and companionship, and the responsibilities of mother and corporate executive.

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Plot Keywords:

jamaica | vacation | san francisco california | tragic event | age difference | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes you have to break the rules to free your heart.

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Fox

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

How Stella Got Her Groove Back On

Filming Locations:

1090 Rubio Street, Altadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$11,318,919 (USA) (14 August 1998)

Gross:

$37,672,350 (USA) (8 January 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally cast as the old man who hits on Stella during her initial stay in Jamaica, all of Danny Glover's scenes were deleted from the final cut of the film. He's seen briefly in the film during the scene where Stella, submerged in a pool, is talking to Winston (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.

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Goofs

While Stella and Winston argue in the restaurant, the level of wine in her glass keeps changing.

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Quotes

Stella: [eating breakfast] Something sure smells good.
Winston Shakespeare: It's my cologne, it's new.
Stella: I meant the food.
Winston Shakespeare: Oh.
Stella: [in her mind] I meant the cologne.

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Connections

Referenced in Stan Helsing (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Make My Body Hot"
Performed by Diana King
Written by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, James Wright and Diana King
Produced and arranged by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions,
Inc.
Diana King appears courtesy of The Work Group

User Reviews

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).