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:

vacation | jamaica | single parent | friend | six word title | 

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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

Bassett's Stella and Diggs' Winston ranked #10 on Moviefone's 'The Top 25 Sexiest Movie Couples'. [May 2008]

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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.

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Quotes

Stella: So how old are you anyway young man?
Winston Shakespeare: Well, I'll be 21 on my next birthday so I guess that makes me 20. And how old are you young lady?
Stella: 40
Winston Shakespeare: No truthfully.

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Connections

Referenced in Hart of Dixie: Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Golden Time Of Day"
Performed by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Written by Frankie Beverly
Courtesy of EMI Records
Under license from EMI Capitol Music Special Markets

User Reviews

Though provoking film that transcends age, race, and Gender.

Angela Bassett is absolutely the finest actress working today. Every performance she puts in is masterful, however this is by far her best to date. As a male in my early 30s I normally don't like love stories, but I have always enjoyed Angela's work. The movie was stylish and the 40 year old actress still looks 25. She is tough, but caring throughout the movie. I don't spoil plots, but it is nice to see Angela be in a movie with romance involved. And for all you immature kids out there don't expect to see Angela topless or anything (No Nudity clause in her contract), but she exudes enough sexuality while still leaving it up to the imagination. If you want to see the tough side of Angela go rent Strange Days.