How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Reference View | Change View
- R
- 2h 4min
- Comedy, Drama
- 14 Aug 1998 (USA)
- Movie
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:
Writers:
Awards:
- 4 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| 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
|
|
| Philip Casnoff | ... |
Kennedy
|
|
| Lou Myers | ... |
Uncle Ollie
|
|
|
|
D'Army Bailey | ... |
Minister
|
| Art Metrano | ... |
Dr. Steinberg
|
|
| Carl Lumbly | ... |
Judge Spencer Boyle
|
|
| Phina Oruche | ... |
Leslie James
|
|
|
|
Tenny Miller | ... |
Kitchen Worker
|
|
|
Andrew Palmer | ... |
Buffet Server
|
|
|
Harold Dawkins | ... |
Upbeaters Band
|
|
|
Kenneth Buckford | ... |
Upbeaters Band
|
|
|
Simon Street | ... |
Upbeaters Band
|
|
|
Craig Blake | ... |
Winston's Friend
|
| Elisabeth Granli | ... |
Girl in Jamaica Commercial
|
|
|
|
Steve Danton | ... |
Man in Commercial
|
|
|
Elly McGuire | ... |
Stella's Friend
|
| Selma McPherson | ... |
Friend at Party #1
|
|
|
|
Fern Ward | ... |
Friend at Party #2
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Greg Bronson | ... |
Concertgoer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Nahtasha Budhi | ... |
Party Girl (uncredited)
|
|
|
Lucinda Chrisman | ... |
Moviegoer (uncredited)
|
| Jan Citron | ... |
Woman on the Gurney (uncredited)
|
|
| Leroy Edwards III | ... |
Dreadlocked Man in Commercial (uncredited)
|
|
| Victor Garber | ... |
Isaac (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Spencer Kayden | ... |
Moviegoer (uncredited)
|
| David C. Waite | ... |
Guy by pool / Pajama Party Guest (uncredited)
|
|
Directed by
| Kevin Rodney Sullivan | ||
Written by
| Terry McMillan | ... | (novel) |
| Terry McMillan | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Ron Bass | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Ron Bass | ... | executive producer |
| Terry McMillan | ... | executive producer |
| Jennifer Ogden | ... | executive producer |
| Deborah Schindler | ... | producer |
Music by
| Michel Colombier | ||
Cinematography by
| Jeffrey Jur | ||
Editing by
| George Bowers | ||
Editorial Department
| Gary Burritt | ... | negative cutter |
| Daniel Fort | ... | assistant editor: avid |
| Sandy French | ... | second assistant editor |
| Bob McMillian | ... | color timer |
| Nicole Schubert | ... | second assistant editor |
| Doron Shauly | ... | first assistant editor |
| Hunter Shepherd | ... | editorial production assistant |
Casting By
| Francine Maisler | ||
Production Design by
| Chester Kaczenski | ||
Art Direction by
| Marc Dabe | ||
Set Decoration by
| Judi Giovanni | ||
Costume Design by
| Ruth E. Carter | ||
Makeup Department
| Sterfon Demings | ... | hair department head |
| Jene Fielder | ... | body makeup |
| Michael Germain | ... | makeup artist: Ms. Goldberg |
| Judy Murdock | ... | makeup department head |
| Double Patiunum | ... | hair department head: All Wigs |
| Joseph Regina | ... | key makeup artist |
| Julia L. Walker | ... | hair department head |
| Adam Christopher | ... | personal makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Rebecca DeHerrera | ... | additional makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| P. Todd Coe | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Jennifer Ogden | ... | unit production manager |
| Natalie Thompson | ... | unit production manager: Jamaica |
| Dwight Williams | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Angela Barnes | ... | second second assistant director |
| Steve Danton | ... | first assistant director |
| Seth Edelstein | ... | second second assistant director |
| Lorien Gray | ... | dga trainee |
| John Riley | ... | second assistant director: Jamaica |
| Donald Sparks | ... | second assistant director (as Donald L. Sparks) |
Art Department
| Bryan Belair | ... | construction coordinator |
| Michael R. Blaich | ... | supervising paint foreman |
| Chris Buchinsky | ... | storyboard illustrator |
| Carl Cassara | ... | set dresser (as Carl J. Cassara) |
| Samantha Gore | ... | assistant art director: Jamaica |
| Leroy Grant | ... | carpenter foreman: Jamaica |
| Ted Harms | ... | general foreman |
| Susan Henzell | ... | buyer: Jamaica |
| Dervon 'Von' Herron | ... | assistant property master |
| Tim Jackson | ... | location foreman |
| Kathy McDonald Jones | ... | art department coordinator |
| Don Kaeding | ... | lead man (as Donald Kaeding) |
| Greg Lynch | ... | set dresser |
| David M. Milstien | ... | props |
| Christopher S. Nushawg | ... | set designer |
| Eric Orbom | ... | set designer |
| Raquel Anita Parke | ... | leadperson: jamaica |
| Gayatri Persad | ... | art department coordinator: Jamaica |
| Steve Pfauter | ... | set dresser (as Stephen O. Pfauter) |
| Pamela M. Rogers | ... | set dressing buyer |
| Ronald Russom | ... | on-set dresser |
| John 'Skip' Weaver | ... | property master |
| Douglas Womack | ... | stage foreman |
| Eric A. Hulett | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Craig Berkey | ... | sound editor |
| David Betancourt | ... | foley mixer (as Dave Betancourt) |
| James Bolt | ... | re-recording mixer (as Jim Bolt) |
| Tracy Bolt | ... | sound recordist |
| Ted Caplan | ... | foley supervisor |
| Thom 'Coach' Ehle | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby (as Thom Ehle) |
| Dawn Fintor | ... | foley walker |
| Tim Gomillion | ... | sound recordist |
| Todd Harris | ... | assistant adr editor |
| Rick Hart | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Andrea Horta | ... | adr editor |
| Victor Iorillo | ... | sound editor |
| Stanley Kastner | ... | additional sound re-recordist (as Stan Kastner) |
| Dave Kulczycki | ... | dialogue editor (as David Kulczycki) |
| Lisa J. Levine | ... | adr editor (as Lisa Levine) |
| David Lucarelli | ... | adr recordist |
| Christian P. Minkler | ... | re-recording mixer (as Christian Minkler) |
| Gilberto Morales | ... | additional sound recordist (as Gil Morales) |
| Steve F. Price | ... | apprentice sound editor / digital assistant sound editor |
| Rocky Quiroz | ... | cable person |
| Charleen Richards | ... | adr mixer (as Charlene Richards) |
| Brian Robinson | ... | boom operator |
| Rodney Sharpp | ... | first assistant sound editor |
| Alicia Stevenson | ... | foley walker |
| Donald Sylvester | ... | foley editor |
| Susumu Tokunow | ... | sound mixer |
| Steven D. Williams | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Derek Casari | ... | adr engineer (uncredited) |
| Dennis Sager | ... | sound engineer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Richard Buckler | ... | special effects foreman |
| John C. Hartigan | ... | special effects coordinator (as John Hartigan) |
| George Paine | ... | special effects technician |
| Paul Sokol | ... | special effects technician |
Visual Effects by
| Richard Ivan Mann | ... | visual effects producer: Click3X (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Norman Ash | ... | lamp operator |
| Kevin M. Beach | ... | rigging electrician |
| Guy Norman Bee | ... | steadicam operator |
| Anthony Lee Beverly | ... | key grip (as Anthony Beverly) |
| Bonnie Blake | ... | first assistant camera |
| Earl Brown | ... | best boy electric: Jamaica |
| Chris Browne | ... | first assistant camera: "b" camera: Jamaica (as Christopher Browne) |
| Richard M. Butkus Jr. | ... | rigging electrician |
| Tony Caldwell | ... | best boy grip (as Anthony Q. Caldwell) |
| James F. Cornick | ... | rigging electrician |
| Glenn 'Bear' Davis | ... | company grip (as Glen Davis) |
| Don Devine | ... | Camera Operator: "a" camera |
| Jeffrey Douglas | ... | company grip |
| Yusef Edmonds | ... | second assistant camera: Jamaica (as Yusef G. Edmonds) |
| David Eubank | ... | additional first assistant camera: second unit |
| Alan Frazier | ... | rigging electrician |
| Kirk R. Gardner | ... | steadicam operator |
| Martin Glover | ... | video assist operator |
| Emil Hampton | ... | steadicam assistant |
| Jennifer Ann Henry | ... | camera loader |
| Richard Lannaman | ... | camera operator: "b" camera, Jamaica |
| Dwight Joseph Lavers | ... | dolly grip |
| Roderick 'Sprinter' Levy | ... | rigging best boy grip: Jamaica (as Roderick Levy) |
| Kelsey Shaw McNeal | ... | second assistant camera (as Kelsey S. McNeal) |
| Heather Hillmeyer Newsom | ... | lamp operator (as Heather Hillmeyer) |
| David Norris | ... | camera operator: Wescam camera |
| Brennan Price | ... | rigging best boy (as Brennan L. Price) |
| John 'Fest' Sandau | ... | gaffer |
| John 'Skids' Skidmore | ... | best boy electric (as John Skidmore) |
| Cricket Sloat | ... | rigging gaffer |
| D. Stevens | ... | still photographer |
| Jorge Sánchez | ... | steadicam assistant |
| Roy Thomas | ... | rigging electrician: Jamaica |
| Keith Wheeler | ... | lamp operator: Jamaica |
| Ray Edwards | ... | second assistant camera: "b" camera, Jamaica (uncredited) |
| Rick Harris | ... | best boy rigging grip (uncredited) |
| Colin Mayo | ... | lighting technician (uncredited) |
| Tony Salgado | ... | cinematographer: second unit, San Francisco (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Kathy Driscoll | ... | casting assistant |
| Christopher Gray | ... | extras casting |
| Barbara Harris | ... | adr voice casting |
| Lisa Essary | ... | casting associate (uncredited) |
| Christian Kaplan | ... | executive in charge of casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Amanda Chamberlin | ... | costumer: Ms. Goldberg (as Mandy Chamberlin) |
| Karen M. Davis | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Jordanna Fineberg | ... | costumer |
| Danielle Hollowell | ... | costumer |
| Paul A. Simmons Jr. | ... | costumer (as Paul Simmons Jr.) |
| Dana Kay Hart | ... | costume supervisor (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Rod Bacote | ... | assistant location manager |
| Jessica Chavez | ... | location production assistant |
| Jennifer Dunne | ... | assistant location manager |
| Fenella Kennedy | ... | assistant location manager: Jamaica |
| Antoinette Levine | ... | location manager |
| Peter Packer | ... | location manager: Jamaica (as Peter I. Packer) |
| Orville Thompson | ... | location utilities assistant: Jamaica |
| Archy Dolder | ... | location manager: additional photography (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Julian Bratolyubov | ... | music preparation |
| Michael Fisher | ... | musician: percussion |
| Mick Guzauski | ... | music mixer / music recordist |
| Dan Huff | ... | musician: guitar |
| Jimmy Jam | ... | executive soundtrack producer |
| Robert Kraft | ... | executive in charge of music |
| Tom Kramer | ... | music editor |
| Edie Lehmann Boddicker | ... | vocal contractor/off camera small ensemble vocalist |
| Terry Lewis | ... | executive soundtrack producer |
| Chris McGeary | ... | music editor |
| Gilberto Morales | ... | music recording (as Gil Morales) |
| Ralph Morrison | ... | concert master |
| Andy Narell | ... | musician: steel drums |
| John Palatucci | ... | musician: fretless bass |
| Jeffrey Schindler | ... | conductor: score |
| Toots Thielemans | ... | musician: harmonica |
| Joan Beal | ... | singer (uncredited) |
| Tom Boyd | ... | musician: oboe soloist (uncredited) |
| Elin Carlson | ... | chorus (uncredited) |
| Ellen Ginsburg | ... | music clearance (uncredited) |
| Sean M. Hickey | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| Mike Knobloch | ... | music executive (uncredited) |
| Michael Mishaw | ... | score vocalist (uncredited) |
| John Patitucci | ... | bass (uncredited) |
| Jay B. Richardson | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
| John Rotondi | ... | scoring engineer: Y4 (uncredited) |
| Dan Savant | ... | music contractor (uncredited) |
| Curt Sobel | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
| Phyllis St. James | ... | singer (uncredited) |
| Sally Stevens | ... | singer (uncredited) |
| Matt Walker | ... | music executive (uncredited) |
Transportation Department
| Amanda Bonner | ... | transportation assistant |
| Duke Foster | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Ron Reynolds | ... | transportation assistant: Jamaica (as Ronald Reynolds) |
| Julio Salazar | ... | transportation co-captain (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Geoff Abadee | ... | logistics |
| Pamela Alch | ... | script supervisor: Jamaica |
| Noella Barb | ... | set medic |
| Kirt Birch | ... | office production assistant |
| Jerome Butler | ... | dialect coach |
| Bruce Cardenis | ... | security officer |
| Russell Clark | ... | choreographer |
| Martha Cronin | ... | production accountant |
| Jennifer S. Deayton | ... | assistant production coordinator (as Jennifer Stephens) |
| Thomas S. Dickson | ... | projectionist: Jamaica |
| Tyrone D. Dixon | ... | assistant: Mr. Diggs |
| Anna Fuson | ... | unit publicist |
| Scott A. Hale | ... | office production assistant (as Scott Hale) |
| Susanne Lariviere | ... | first assistant accountant (as Susanne B. Lariviere) |
| Tom Leonardis | ... | assistant: Ms. Goldberg (as Thomas Leonardis) |
| Sonya Lunsford | ... | post-production accountant |
| Costas Michalopoulos | ... | assistant: Ms. Schindler |
| Montez A. Monroe | ... | production coordinator: Jamaica (as Montez Monroe) |
| Eric Persing | ... | synthesizer programmer |
| Angelo Rivers | ... | animal wrangler |
| Andrew T. Rothmund | ... | assistant: Ms. Bassett (as Andrew Rothmund) |
| Matthew D. Smith | ... | set production assistant |
| Michael D. Starks | ... | craft service |
| Laura Stuart | ... | production coordinator |
| Marvin Williams | ... | set production assistant (as Marvin J. Williams Jr.) |
| Denise Woods | ... | dialect coach |
| Cathy Ziehl | ... | production secretary |
| Candice Campos | ... | assistant production coordinator (uncredited) |
| Lisa D. Carey | ... | assistant accountant (uncredited) |
| Mike Currie | ... | set production assistant (uncredited) |
| Colleen Emry | ... | payroll accountant (uncredited) |
| Elise Ganz | ... | studio teacher (uncredited) |
| Melinda A. Grieger | ... | hat designer (uncredited) |
| Zaina Juliette | ... | body double (uncredited) |
| Jeffrey Neumeier | ... | second assistant accountant (uncredited) |
| Helen Sideris | ... | assistant to producer (uncredited) |
| John Tamburro | ... | aerial coordinator/helicopter pilot (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Twentieth Century Fox (1998) (United States) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Company (1998) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Argentina (1999) (Argentina)
- Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Gativideo (1999) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Twentieth Century Fox (2000) (Germany) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (Japan) (VHS)
- United Paramount Network (UPN) (2001) (United States) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (DVD) (Celebrated Women of Color Film Collection Vol. 2)
- Disney+ (2022) (Canada) (video) (VOD)
- Disney+ (2023) (United Kingdom) (video) (VOD) (Star)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- 20th Century Fox Studios (sound post-production)
- Aero Mock-Ups (mock up)
- Alitash Kebede Gallery, Los Angeles (select paintings)
- American Airlines (special thanks)
- Atlantic Cine Equipment (remote heads)
- Behind the Scenes Freight (shipping by)
- Calvin Klein (eyewear)
- Calvin Klein (swimwear)
- Calvin Klein (underwear)
- Cartier (jewelry)
- Cartier (watches)
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (camera cranes)
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (dollies)
- Columbia TriStar Television (footage courtesy of)
- Community Television Systems Limited, Kingston, Jamaica (generators provided by)
- Community Television Systems Limited, Kingston, Jamaica (grip equipment)
- Community Television Systems Limited, Kingston, Jamaica (lighting)
- Deluxe Catering (catering)
- Direct Tools & Fasteners (expendables)
- Flying Pictures (Gyrosphere aerial camera system)
- Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) (special thanks)
- Lucasfilm THX / TAP Theater Alignment Program (Quality assurance services were provided by)
- Major League Baseball Properties (special thanks)
- Movie Movers (cast trailers)
- Pacific Title/Mirage (end titles)
- Pacific Title/Mirage (opticals)
- Savant Productions Inc. (music contractor)
- Scarlet Letters (main titles)
- Sessions Payroll Management (extras payroll services)
- The Newman Scoring Stage, Twentieth Century Fox Studios (score recording)
- The San Francisco Giants (special thanks)
- Wescam USA (wescam provided by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by John Deming |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Sometimes you have to break the rules to free your heart. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $20,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $11,318,919, 16 Aug 1998 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Originally cast as the old man who hits on Stella Payne during her initial stay in Jamaica, all of Danny Glover's scenes were deleted from the final cut. He's seen briefly in this movie during the scene where Stella, submerged in a pool, is talking to Winston Shakespeare (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. See more » |
| 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in How Stella Got Her Groove Back/Return to Paradise/Snake Eyes/The Rat Pack/Full Tilt Boogie (1998). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Free Again See more » |
| Quotes |
Stella Payne:
This from the guy who makes a midnight run to the video store and comes back with Booty Call and the Lion King! See more » |