About How Stella Got Her Groove Back

'How Stella Got Her Groove Back' is a romantic comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan. Released in 1998, it tells the soulful and powerful story of Stella Payne, a successful 40-year-old stockbroker who is convinced by her colorful New York girlfriend to take a vacation to Jamaica. On her dream vacation, Stella falls in love with a much younger man, and this passionate affair forces Stella to take personal inventory of her life and try to find a balance between her desire for love and companionship and her responsibilities as a career woman and mother.

Making / Production

The film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Terry McMillan. Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan and produced by Deborah Schindler and Jennifer Ogden, the film wonderfully translates the essence of the novel onto the big screen, filled with a balance of intense drama and humor.

Actors

• Angela Bassett as Stella Payne - Bassett delivered a powerful performance as the independent and successful single mother who is torn between her responsibilities and her desires.
• Taye Diggs as Winston Shakespeare - Diggs, in his film debut, played the role of a charming and passionate man who falls deeply in love with Stella.
• Whoopi Goldberg as Delilah Abraham - Goldberg provided comic relief as Stella's best friend, offering sage advice and unwavering support.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This was Taye Diggs' first role in a feature film.
• The story is loosely based on author Terry McMillan's own trip to Jamaica where she met a younger man.
• The film was shot on location in Jamaica and California.

Awards

Angela Bassett won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as Stella.

Quotes

• "You can't get your damn groove back on my patio!" - Stella
• "A woman that fine you don't need to wine and dine." - Winston
• "Sometimes you gotta do that thing that you gotta do..." - Delilah

Music, Soundtrack

• "Mastablasta '98" by Stevie Wonder
• "Luv Me, Luv Me" by Shaggy and Janet Jackson
• "Beautiful" by Mary J. Blige