Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Whoopi Goldberg, and a tropical island? Yes, please! How Stella Got Her Groove back another novel turned film, from the amazing Terry McMillan. It was one of the first films to highlight the cougar lifestyle and had older women everywhere questioning whether it was okay to be dating a younger man. This film based on McMillan’s own experience, tells the story of Stella (played by Bassett) who travels to Jamaica with her best friend and ends up falling for a much younger Jamaican man Winston (played by Diggs) while on vacation. If that’s not enough to get you started, the film sports an all-star supporting cast to include Regina King, Suzzanne Douglas (RIP), Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, and Richard Lawson.
In the film, Stella is a forty-year-old stockbroker who travels to Jamaica after the persuasion of her best friend Delilah (Goldberg). While vacationing on the island she meets Winston, a handsome 25-year-old native with a captivating smile. When that first scene panned and Diggs flashed his pearly whites, women everywhere melted. Though I’ve personally never found Diggs attractive, I will admit that he has a beautiful smile. He had women everywhere wanting to travel to Jamaica to wanting to find them a Winston.
After initially brushing him off due to their age differences, she finds herself very attracted to this younger man and charmed by his persistence. What started as a fling, turned into a full-on romance forcing Stella to reevaluate her life, and crossing the lines between fantasy and reality. In the end, she chooses herself and the desires of her heart, leaving many wondering if they should do the same. If I had to rate this film, I would give it a 3 on the Zumble scale. While there were plenty of laughs, (Regina King and Whoopi Goldberg provided the comedic relief we all needed) it fell flat in some places, making me question the believability of these characters.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back: Movie ReviewWe all know that Angela Bassett excels in any role placed before her, but the story lost me with Diggs and that cringe-worthy Jamaican accent. Plus, there were a few things from the novel that I wish they added in the film. If you’re in the mood for a fun romantic film, go ahead and check it out. If not for shits and giggles, at least you’ll get some great eye candy in the process. Both Angela Bassett and Taye Diggs do not disappoint.
