How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
68%RT Audience Score: 66%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 8 nominations
How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a film that, much like its titular character, has plenty of style and sass. While some critics may find fault with its lack of depth, it delivers exactly what it promises: a guilt-free escape to pretty places with pretty people having wicked-hot fun. Angela Bassett shines as always, transforming the film into an infomercial for her considerable abilities. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t need a little frothy, paper-thin romance every now and then? So sit back, relax, and let Stella show you how to get your groove back.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a movie that’s perfect for a girls’ night in. It’s got everything you need: hot guys, beautiful scenery, and Angela Bassett being a total boss. Sure, the plot might not be the deepest, but who cares when you’re watching people have wicked-hot fun in pretty places? It’s like a guilty pleasure that you don’t have to feel guilty about. So grab some popcorn, pour some wine, and get ready to groove with Stella.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
1090 Rubio Street, Altadena, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some sexuality
Year of Release
1998
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 4m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 1998 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2001
Genre(s)
Comedy/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Regina King, Whoopi Goldberg, Suzzanne Douglas, Michael J Pagan, directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, written by Terry McMillan, Ronald Bass, Comedy, Romance, $37.7M box office, R rating, reviewed by Duane Byrge, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Liam Lacey, Nina Caplan, Peter Travers, Kenneth Turan, David Ehrenstein, Cole Smithey, Lori Hoffman, Chuck O’Leary, Emanuel Levy, Frank Swietek, stockbroker, Jamaica, island fling, age difference, California, relationship, love, friendship, travel, vacation, fun, sun, sex, Hollywood, romancers, infomercial, escapism, pretty people, wicked-hot fun, cancer, death, airport, streaming, 20th Century Fox, Dolby Digital, aspect ratio, flat, 35mm
Worldwide gross: $39,278,722
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $72,081,993
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,180
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,860,632
US/Canada gross: $37,672,941
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $69,135,159
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 924
US/Canada opening weekend: $11,318,919
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $20,771,812
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 637
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $36,702,820
Production budget ranking: 1,020
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $19,764,469
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $15,614,705
ROI to date (est.): 28%
ROI ranking: 1,252
Taye Diggs – Winston Shakespeare
Regina King – Vanessa
Whoopi Goldberg – Delilah Abraham
Suzzanne Douglas – Angela
Michael J. Pagan – Quincy Payne
Director(s)
Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Writer(s)
Terry McMillan, Ronald Bass
Producer(s)
Deborah Schindler
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 8 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (50) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (25)
Adapted from Terry McMillan’s ribald, heartfelt novel and starring Angela Bassett in the title role, Stella’s got plenty of style and brains. It’s a sexier, sassier version of Hollywood’s old-time romancers.
September 3, 2020
Duane Byrge
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: C-
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The movie meanders on and on, like a bad sexual dream, until you finally wake up mumbling: Stella, please: leave that groove thang alone.
April 12, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Stella’s groove, like the film itself, doesn’t run deep.
March 5, 2002
Nina Caplan
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
Delivers guilt-free escapism about pretty people having wicked-hot fun in pretty places.
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
Stella may be frothy and paper-thin, but it’s also another great success for star Angela Bassett, who transforms the film into an infomercial for her considerable abilities.
February 14, 2001 | Rating: 3.5/5
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The timing couldn’t be better for How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
October 3, 2017
David Ehrenstein
New Times
February 21, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
April 20, 2007 | Rating: 3/5
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly
September 8, 2005 | Rating: 1/5
Chuck O’Leary
Fantastica Daily
July 3, 2005 | Rating: 2/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
March 22, 2004 | Rating: 2/5
Frank Swietek
One Guy’s Opinion…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
“Stella may be frothy and paper-thin, but it’s also another great success for star Angela Bassett, who transforms the film into an infomercial for her considerable abilities.” – Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
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