Juwanna Mann (2002)

A basketball star is booted out of the NBA when his on-court antics go too far, so he poses as a woman and joins the WUBA.

Director:

Jesse Vaughan

Writer:

Bradley Allenstein

Stars:

Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Kevin Pollak

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.	...	Jamal Jefferies / Juwanna Mann
Vivica A. Fox	...	Michelle Langford
Kevin Pollak	...	Lorne Daniels
Tommy Davidson	...	Puff Smokey Smoke
Kim Wayans	...	Latisha Jansen
Jenifer Lewis	...	Aunt Ruby
Ginuwine	...	Romeo
Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones	...	Tina Parker
Annie Corley	...	Coach Rivers
Tammi Reiss	...	Vicki Sanchez
Heather Quella	...	Magda Rowonowitch
Angie Cossey	...	Natalie Kemper
Itoro Coleman	...	Debbie Scruggs
Terry Loughlin	...	Commissioner
Bonnie Johnson	...	Lorne's Secretary

Storyline

Juwanna Mann follows the story of Jamal Jeffries, the reigning 'bad boy' of basketball, whose undisciplined on-court antics land him out of the league and without any prospects. Financially strapped and untrained in anything but basketball, Jamal comes up with a plan so outrageous it just might work: dress up like a woman and try out for the woman's basketball league. To his surprise, he makes it, but now the real challenge begins - to cease being Jamal and start new life as Juwanna. Matters become even more complicated when Juwanna realizes that he is falling for his teammate Michelle, who shows him that there is more to women than meets the eye.

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Plot Keywords:

basketball | male nudity | cross dressing | hit in the crotch | the star spangled banner | 

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Taglines:

The only way he can stay pro, is to play (like) a girl.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and sex-related material

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

C-kosár

Filming Locations:

Charlotte Coliseum - 100 Paul Buck Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,474,270 (USA) (21 June 2002)

Gross:

$13,571,817 (USA) (30 August 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In her first WUBA game, Juwanna is seen gnawing on a towel on the bench. This is an allusion to Jerry Tarkanian, the college basketball coach who gnawed on towels during the game.

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Goofs

When "she" goes into the bathroom during the double date, her pumps are on the left side of the urinal on the first master shot then they move to the right side of the urinal.

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Quotes

Michelle Langford: Are you all right?
Latisha Jansen: I'm straight.
Michelle Langford: [laughs] No you aren't.

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Crazy Credits

Before the credits, there are various deleted scenes and outtakes.

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Connections

Features The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Restaurant"
Written by Lenton Terrell Hutton
Performed by Lenton Terrell Hutton
Courtesy of Morgan Creek Record Company, Inc.

User Reviews

Not nearly so bad as you'd think

Your standard "jerk finds his humanity through identification with an Other" formula comedy. In this case, the Other is a female--which is usually a recipe for disaster unless the jerk is Dustin Hoffman.

I let this run as background noise after another movie ended, and was surprised to find myself watching it and even laughing a few times. I can't recommend spending money on a rental, but if it comes on cable you could do worse.