Love Jones

Director: Theodore Witcher Theodore Witcher

Overview

"Theodore Witcher's African-American love story Love Jones comes to DVD with a disc that offers two different images. The widescreen transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85: and is preferable to the standard full-frame 1.33:1 picture. An English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a music video featuring Lauryn Hill, the original theatrical trailer, and cast and crew filmographies and biographies. This very solid, entertaining film has been given a solid DVD release."

Product Details

Release Date:	07/27/1999
UPC:	0794043478628
Original Release:	1997
Rating:	R
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Presentation:	[Full Frame, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[stereo, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:50:00
Sales rank:	32,394

Special Features

Widescreen and full-screen versions of the film; Refugee Camp All-Stars featuring Grammy Award-winner Lauryn Hill, "The Sweetest Thing" music video; Original theatrical trailer; Cast and crew biographies and filmographies

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Larenz Tate	Darius Lovehall,Actor
Nia Long	Nina Mosley
Isaiah Washington	Savon Garrison
Lisa Nicole Carson	Josie Nichols
Khalil Kain	Marvin Cox
Leonard Roberts	Eddie Coles
Bernadette L. Clarke	Sheila Downes
Bill Bellamy	Hollywood
Cerall Duncan	Troy Garrison
David Nisbet	Publisher
Simon James	Roger Lievsey
Oona Hart	Model
Jaqueline Fleming	Lisa Martin
Manao DeMuth	Nina's Assistant
Marie-Francoise Theodore	Tracey Powell
Reginald Gibson	Himself
Kahil El Zabar	Percussionist
Darryl Jones	Bassist
Teodross Avery	Saxophonist
Everette Dean	Porter
Benjamin LeVert	Savon's Son
John M. Watson Sr.	Tiki Room Bartender
William Yancey	Sanctuary Bartender
Ernest Perry Jr.	Male Model
Helena Echegoyen	Woman on Train
Malik Yosef	Himself
Troy Borisy	Taxi Driver
Michelle Poole	Kissing Woman
Kevin Bell	Kissing Man
Khalil Kane	Actor

Technical Credits

Theodore Witcher

Theodore Witcher	Director,Screenwriter
Jane Alderman	Casting
Sam Barkan	Special Effects
Julia Chasman	Executive Producer
Helena Echegoyen	Executive Producer
Amy Henkels	Executive Producer
Rick LeFevour	Stunts
Robi Reed-Humes	Casting
Jeremiah Samuels	Producer
Jay Stern	Executive Producer
Nick Wechsler	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Love Jones is a funky, moody contemplation of love and sex among hip, upscale African-Americans in Chicago. But it isn't quite as profound as the jazzy soundtrack would have us believe. There's just the right song to accompany every interlude, from a smoky nightclub poetry slam, to a rainy afternoon in a movie-sized loft, to the note-perfect banter that punctuates a relaxed gathering in a plush apartment. But what's lagging is the emotion -- it's never quite convincing that Larenz Tate's Darius and Nia Long's Nina are jonesing for much more than sex. Darius first pursues Nina like some sort of stalker; his follow-up to a sexy poem he delivers moments after meeting her, which is very ambiguously received, is to steal her address from a personal check and swing by her apartment. The fumbles they make trying to build up trust and maintain the relationship contain few new insights, though it is interesting to see how many of their actions are dictated by foolish pride. What distinguishes the movie is the dialogue, refreshing in both its naturalism and intelligence -- it's too rare that audiences get to see urbane, three-dimensional African-American characters chatting about their philosophies on life and love. Writer/director Theodore Witcher should be commended for this attention to detail and the way he fleshes out the characters. The scenarios they face, and the resolutions to those scenarios, are only so-so.