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 Jamaica.

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 Payne (Angela Bassett) is a highly successful, forty-something San Francisco, California stock broker who is persuaded by her colorful New York City girlfriend Delilah Abraham (Whoopi Goldberg) 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 (Taye Diggs). 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:

loss of job | best friend | family home | pet dog | immigrant | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Taye Diggs was performing in the Broadway production of "Rent" when he learned that he had landed the male lead in this movie. He celebrated by streaking through the theater where he was working.

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

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Connections

Referenced in Star: Watch the Throne (2019)

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Soundtracks

Ain't That a Groove
Performed by James Brown
Written by James Brown and Nat Brown
Courtesy of Polydor Records
By arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music

User Reviews

Great Movie

Angela Bassett does an outstanding job. To those of you who can't understand why Stella needs her groove back, you have only to look up the word mundane. No matter how much money you have or Chanel suits you own that doesn't mean you have true companionship. We all want a real connection someone to hold us, love us and tell us it will get better. And that transcends age and socio economics. Sometimes people are right on time. No one can go through the world completely alone. We never know what or how long any relationship will last so I suppose the most important thing is to seize the day. Make your own reality and Stella does that with dignity and with pride and admittedly with hesitation and fear. That's the sign of a very real character! Someone who is vulnerable. Someone you can understand even if you're not in the same situation.

Details

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 USA:

$11,318,919, 16 August 1998

Gross USA:

$37,672,941

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$39,278,722

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1