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., Christopher Simmons, Vivica A. Fox

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
Lil' Kim	...	Tina Parker (as Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones)
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 | dodge viper | male nudity | the star spangled banner | hit in the crotch | 

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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:

Bank of America Plaza, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,474,270, 23 June 2002, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,571,817, 1 September 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Entertainment

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

On one of the first shots taken during the women's basketball sequences, the shot clock above the basket reads "45." Years ago, men's college basketball played with a 45-second shot clock, but women have always used the 30-second clock, thus the shot clock would never read "45" in a women's pro game.

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Quotes

Puff Smokey Smoke: [to Juwanna] You are one tall glass of water and I'm thirsty.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Features Waiting to Exhale (1995)

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Soundtracks

What's Luv?
Written by Joseph Caratagena, Irving Lorenzo, Jeffrey Atkins, Christopher Rios & Andre Parker
Performed by Fat Joe featuring Ashanti
Fat Joe courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation
Ashanti courtesy of Murder Inc. & AJM Records

User Reviews

Man pretends to be woman

There is nothing new about the plot to this movie. But, it is pretty funny. I liked the part when Juwanna gets pulled over by the cop and it turns out he wants to become a woman. That was good. Also, when Juwanna gives the women tips about men. And Tommy Davidson was funny as Puff Smokey with his silver teeth and his antics with Juwanna. Of course, at the end, our lead character learns a life lesson and changes his way.

FINAL VERDICT: Not a bad way to pass a Saturday afternoon. It isn't too long and does have some humor.