Love Jones

Plot synopsis:
In Chicago, Darius Lovehall (Larenz Tate) is a poet who is giving a reading at the Sanctuary, an upscale nightclub presenting jazz and poetry to a bohemian clientele. Shortly before his set, he meets Nina Mosley (Nia Long), a gifted photographer who recently lost her job. They exchange small talk, and Darius makes his interest clear when he retitles his love poem "A Blues For Nina". A mutual attraction is sparked between them, and Darius invites himself back to her place to ask her out. They have sex on the first date, but neither Darius or Nina are sure what to do next. Nina has just gotten out of a relationship and isn't sure if she still cares for her old boyfriend. Darius isn't sure whether or not to admit that he really cares for Nina. Nina's ex comes back and offers her train tickets to New York. Nina contemplates using them. After a night with Darius, Nina tells him that she is going to New York because of unfinished business. Darius knows that it's because of a man but does not show that he cares.

Tags: cult

Review:
The Urban Love Story.
Makes me want to find love like that.........
Larenz Tate and Nia Long deliver performances as understated as the film's smart jazz and R&B soundtrack -- their approaches give their characters dimension and depth.
But make no mistake -- this film offers elements of entertainment and political correctness in director Theodore Witcher's offering of multi-layered African-American characters.
If comparisons must be made, Love Jones compares to the best in Woody Allen's Annie Hall and Manhattan, as those films explore desire and passion through words in addition to physical attractions.
Recommend this film to the scores of filmgoers who missed its limited theatrical release -- better yet, serve it up as a first course conversation starter during your next gathering with friends.
Great Love Story.
This is my favorite love story it has every element that a good love story should have.
Finally a movie that shows positive aspects of the black community.
Larenz Tate was great I can't picture anyone else playing the role of Darius.
I own this movie and if I had the time I would watch it everyday it always makes me feel better and that's what a good movie should do.
We would all like to find a Darius out there but most of us just settle for watching this movie.
This is in my top 5 when I name my favorite movies of all time.
This is in my top 5 when I name my favorite movies of all time.
There wasn't a single character in this movie that didn't act more than they were.
I love nights like that.
To add to it, who WOULDN'T want to have the type of relationship that Nia and Larenz endured?
Good or Bad...it was so sexy and warm and black and beautiful...Definitely a keeper, and PACKED with unforgettable quotes that ALL can relate to.
Love Jones is a must-see, thought provoking masterpiece..
Love Jones cleverly portrays young African-American men and women in a clear, positive, realistic sense.
Nia Long and Larenz Tate worked well together and I hope to see more work from the two of them.
As a matter of fact all of the actors/actresses did such a fine job it would be great to see another romantic-comedy from them.
This movie can be compared to most any well-written, romantic comedy.
If you have not seen this movie already I strongly recommend that you do, it can definitely give you another perspective on life and love..
The Ultimate Date Movie, with real insights on "The Big L".
It's a rich, textured love story with believable, all-too-human characters, who are too busy gaming and protecting their hearts to recognize The Real Thing when they experience it.
One of the most pleasurable aspects of this movie is its setting in Chicago, among hip, artistic, literate, middle-class African-Americans who discuss poetry, music and literature.
Another is his Royal Fineness, Larenz Tate -- and if you are even half a fan of his, you NEED to see this film!
Nia Long also shines as Nina, who longs to tell Darius she loves him but is afraid the break "the Rules." A great movie to watch curled up on the couch with your sweetie!.
After viewing this movie, lets say, around 8 times, the story line has never bored me.
Each character has their own distinct personality and their own views of "love".
This movie has timeless, almost realistic, love lessons.
Filled with philosophies on love, a jazzy soundtrack, and great actors is why I would call it a classic..
This movie features some of the best ensemble work I've seen in film or on stage.
The actors play off each other with a skill and vivacity that in no way can be achieved through editing."Love Jones" a good story, period.
But it is also an excellent portrayal of the urban, middle-income, twenty-something African-American set that is not often seen..
I think it's about 3 years ago when I saw this movie.
I remembered seeing this movie and loving life again!
It showed me I could find love and what-do-you-know??
I just love this movie.
I think this is one of the best movies of all time.
Would love to know what others think as well.
It has been awhile since I have seen him in anything, however I think he has out did his acting performance in this movie!.
It is about time there is a movie that expresses and shows the concerns going on in African American relationships.
I love this film a must see!!.
Love Jones is a wonderfully heart warming, original film..
I have watched Love Jones over thirty times.
It is one of the rare films that depict a love story about people who happen to be African-Americans.
It was so nice to see a film where the story line centered on young professional African-Americans.
Love Jones was visually captivating as well.
The chemistry between Lorenz Tate and Nia Long will bring memories of past and present love.
Darius Lovehall is a young black poet in Chicago who starts dating Nina Moseley, a beautiful and talented photographer.
While trying to figure out if they've got a "love thing" or are just "kicking it," they hang out with their friend, talking about love and sex.
Then Nina tests the strength of Darius' feelings and sets a chain of romantic complications into motion.While the film received favorable critical reviews, the film was not a financial success but it remains a cult following because of its realistic characters and unorthodox take on the romance genre.
The producers of the film said that they wanted to make a modern film about African-American life that did not use violence and recreational drugs as elements in the story.I am not big on romantic stories, and I am not big on many so-called "black movies".
The idea to avoid drugs and violence was smart, because why should every movie featuring African-Americans reinforce the stereotype of the ghetto or criminal behavior?
This just sets a bad example.However, "Love Jones" avoids that trap and makes it a deeper story about love, dating, and the difference between casual and serious relationships.
On a personal note, I love the Chicago setting.
Great Actors & Great Love Story.
This film was filled with great acting, great musical sounds that blow your mind completely away.
Larenz Tate,(Darius Lovehall),"Waist Deep",'06 was a sharp cat with the gals and he soon met his Waterloo with Nia Long,(Nina Mosley),"Big Momma's House",2000.
Nina put her heart and soul into this role and when she meets up with Darius, the sparks fly at first and then there is a sort of hate relationship.
The entire cast of actors made this a very entertaining film, with plenty of comedy, drama and lots of loving and cheating going on.
This is a very down to earth film and at the same time shows how everyone eventually has his and her destiny in life and are placed in their little corner of this big world.
Great film, enjoy !.
Love Jones is one of the best movies I've experienced.
I have studied this film in it's entirety - with watching movies more than once, certain things dawn on you subconsciously - the direction of this movie, as well as the writing, is chic, hip, and artful!
The scene where Larenz Tate and Nia Long are riding the motorcycle through north Chicago at night is astonishing.
The director of this movie DESERVED awards for his great job.Love Jones is a classy and sexy film.
Being our Natural selves.The poetry is wonderful, but the story line, the dialog, and the scenes really make this movie.This movie deserves to be seen.
It is a great movie for lovers and friends to sit back and watch, or, the hopeless romantic (like myself) to sit back and enjoy alone on a Friday or Saturday night.
Any day of the week where peace, solitude, and a little entertainment is needed, Love Jones is what I recommend..
The Quintessential "Gen-X" Love Story.
From the opening sequence, filled with black and white shots reminiscent of Gordan Parks photos, this film draws the viewer into a feeling of artistic renaissance.
The jazz that permeates the film and the cinematography will seduce you.This story of love actually allows love to grow, to evolve, and ultimately mature, a rarity in hollywood.
Who knows...?Starring Larenz Tate(Darius Lovehall), and Nia Long(Nina Moseley) with a scene stealing performance by Isiah Washington(Savon) and Lisa Nicole Carson(Josie Nichols) as the ultimate best friend, this film is a romantic jewel.See this one with someone you love (wink)..
SuperB Black Love Story.
This is one of his best work and showing that he is better than always playing an angry black manThis movie is a classic, superb acting, well written, a real love story set in Chicago, what more can you ask for?SuperB Black Love Story.
Great real love story.
This is my favorite movie that portrays African Americans in whole different light.
because it shows a different side of African Americans that it is not shown in the movies.
its not the gang bang, urban ghetto setting or having to deal with deep racial issues, it captivates the whole essence of being young and trying to be successful and having problems with letting your guard down and letting someone into your life, and the whole bohemian atmosphere gives that great touch that makes all that great, its a great script great dialoge that captivates you and you just get involved with the character.
perfect casting with a lot of chemistry and very good acting and i still haven't seen any other movie with black characters that are portrayed in this format the only one that get close is "Sprung" but since its a comedy it looses it very quickly I give this movie 9 out of 10 and i wish they would keep making movies with this type of attitude about African Americans.
Even though I should be working right now, I feel compelled to write about this excellent romance/comedy, especially since there's only one other review about Love Jones.
The backdrop is New York in the 1990's and the story focuses on two main characters in their mid 20's.
While it may seem to be your run-of-the-mill romance/comedy in the same playing field as "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless In Seattle", there are two major differences that set "Love Jones" apart.
Firstly, the music in this movie is perfect, ranging from hip-hop grooves, soul rhythms, and even classy jazz...
it's not to far-fetched that the music truly adds more character to the film than the actors.
My only concern is that the film is "tailored" somewhat to the dating scene of the mid-twenties, especially those like hip-hop or R & B.
Lastly, I saw this movie with a bunch of guys, and if there's anything as a romantic/comedy for guys, I think this could be considered one on my list..
Love Jones gives a clear-eyed look at modern romance: the excitement, confusion, depression, and game playing.
The couple at the center of the story, Nina (Nia Long) and Darius (Larenz Tate) play it frustratingly "safe", often guessing incorrectly what the other is feeling.
While my reaction was that I wanted to reach in and bonk their heads together, I recognized the story as real and the acting as top-notch.That said, the real reason to see this film is for the secondary cast.
Nina and Darius are the stars, but it's the witty dialogue of Savon, Sheila, Ed, and Wood that makes me recommend this film..
The music of this movie is perfect.
A feel good romantic love story..
This movie is the most realitic love story I've ever connected to and watched.
This movie is one of my favourites and I will never skip a scene no matter how many times I've watched it..
I heard about it on the radio and decided to give it a watch...but I am sorry, I just don't get it.I kind of want to relate it to movies like 12 Angry Men and other dialogue driven flicks...Fall from I think the same year...but this was just...bland.What you have here are people sitting around talking about sex.
You have people walking around talking about their relationship.Before Sunrise did kind of the same thing, but throughout you had the feeling of love that would be lost.
This didn't really pull off that emotion.It also didn't pull off the tension in many other dialogue driven movies...and it didn't pull off the humor either.It did, however, develop characters very well, so it gets 3 Stars for great characters.
Normal would have worked if there was more of a plot, more of a goal.Instead it felt like talking about your relationship with your girlfriend and then relating that conversation with your friends with no real direction and no one really entertaining and abnormal enough to latch onto..
A Must See!Excellent positive African-American Love Story.
A Must See!Excellent positive African-American Love Story.
Larenz Tate was so Cary Grant in style as the character may have been in a clumsey situation, but the actor kept him from looking silly and like a cardboard cut out.
Larenz Tate was so Cary Grant in style as the character may have been in a clumsey situation, but the actor kept him from looking silly and like a cardboard cut out.
Nia Long has always been a favorite of mine she is sweet even when she is tough, almost like a Kathrine Hepburn.
Nia Long has always been a favorite of mine she is sweet even when she is tough, almost like a Kathrine Hepburn.
This is one of his best work and showing that he is better than always playing an angry black manThis movie is a classic, superb acting, well written, a real love story set in Chicago, what more can you ask for?SuperB Black Love StoryAmsterdam, Holland.
My Favorite Romance Story of all time.
I try to be diverse in my movie watching.
Love Jones is my all time favorite, it is the standard by which I judge any Modern Urban Romantic Comedy.
Shot very well, the shot of Nia and Darius riding up Lakeshore Drive on the Motorcycle is one of Classic 3 second movie shots of all time.
When it came out, I though it would be a new paradigm for Modern Urban Film-making, good actors, no guns, and so forth.
So whenever I need to see "my people" presented on screen in a very professional and stylish way, I pop in Love Jones.
There is no Best Movie ever made, to many people and opinions for that.
My favorite line from Love Jones " Baby, I just wanna come up and talk!!".
This movie is for all of you who believe in love at first sight.
It is especially for you out there who believe in love at first sight, romantic dramas, and artistic stuff.
A nice romance story.
So if you like these kind of movies, make this your next rental..
There was nothing particularly bad about the movie, the acting was good, no large plot holes, of course there wasn't much plot to have holes in.
There was some chemistry between the two but nothing compelling about their relationship; Nothing interesting about their story.
So what's that say about this love story when even a 25 year old sappy romantic like my wife had no emotional investment in the relationship.
I agree, the move was great, i relate it to things me and my friends when through to find miss right, that's how i fell in love, but i have a mystery question with no answer, and i hope a love Jones fan can help me.
The scene where Darius asked Nina to go to the wild hare, the reggae band was Charles Cameron and the sunshine festival and the song was never stop loving you but it was not on the soundtrack and i can't find any music by that artist, has anyone else searched and not found.
i have seen the movie 55 times thous far and still watching it weekly, i hope to fine that song so i can pop the question to my now girlfriend and for the honeymoon i plan to take her to the club the wild hare in Chicago.
The coolest love story you've never seen.
Late film critic Gene Siskel said that this movie shows how easy it is to make a movie.
Love Jones is a shining example of how a love story should be: realistic with real characters in real situations.The story chronicles the ups and downs of the relationship between Darius Lovehall(Larenz Tate) and Nina(Nia Long).
Larenz Tate and Nia Long are more than just a beautiful couple on screen.
Isaiah Washington is just as great as Darius's close friend Savon and I sigh every time I see him in a movie.
I've seen performances from him(as well as Larenz Tate) that put some of Hollywood's best to shame.
Follywood will never got over themselves.Love Jones is a wonderful love story full of interesting and likable characters that are in realistic situations that anybody that has been in love can relate too.
You love these people because they are believable and are not portrayed as gangsters and tramps.
Contrast that with the Romance movies of today.
In closing if you love Black Cinema then you would do well to own a copy of this movie..
The reason I ever wanted to watch this movie was because Nia Long was on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and I never got around into seeing the movies she was involved in after the show.
At least that was the only complaint I had while watching this movie.
Both Long and Tates were good at their performances.
Also other characters were good too!Definitely recommend this movie if you're into romantic sloppy movies!