How Stella Got Her Groove Back Synopsis: Stella is a highly successful, forty-something San Francisco stock broker who is persuaded by her colorful New York girlfriend Delilah to take a well deserved, first-class vacation to Jamaica.
Single mom Stella (Angela Bassett) is a successful stockbroker who needs a vacation. Her best friend Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg) convinces her to travel to Jamaica, where Stella meets a handsome young man named Winston Shakespeare (Taye Diggs). Stella initially keeps her distance, but Winston is persistent, and the two begin a passionate, whirlwind romance.
When Stella has to return to real life, tragedy brings Winston back into her life, and she must determine whether or not their age gap is something she can ignore in order to live happily ever after.
I’ll start by saying this – Angela Bassett is a star. You may be thinking, we all know this, but she is simply radiant as Stella in How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Her performance is the best thing about this movie, beyond how beautiful the scenes in Jamaica are. Don’t misunderstand me; I liked How Stella Got Her Groove Back. I just didn’t love it.
Whoopi Goldberg is a hilarious highlight as Delilah, but sadly, her screen time is limited. Taye Diggs and Bassett have great chemistry, but it didn’t feel sustainable if that makes any sense. You feel the passion, just not the love. I don’t know if it was because of the performance or the directing. The ending didn’t feel earned. And I know I shouldn’t giggle at character names, but Winston Shakespeare…? Maybe it was explained in the movie, but I cannot remember! Winston is still a sweet character, and I’m glad he stood up to Stella when needed.
Romance aside, How Stella Got Her Groove Back was all right overall. I enjoyed Stella and Delilah’s scenes quite a bit, as well as Stella’s scenes with her son and her family as they came to know and accept Winston. However, it also felt a touch too long, clocking in at just over two hours.
There seemed to be a lot of filler and not enough substance because of this. It also lacked actual conflict. The 20-year age gap is obviously an issue, but Stella still felt so-so about everything in her life, even when the credits began to roll. Maybe I just perceived it wrong, but I’m still not entirely sure Stella did, in fact, get her groove back.
Watched: 03/15/2023
Notable Song: Your Home is in My Heart by Boyz II Men
