Twenty years since it first debuted in cinemas, the classic screen feast, which was described as the ‘Black When Harry Met Sally’, is being honoured in the classic movie category in the Screen Nation Awards 2017, taking place on 7 May at the Park Plaza Hotel in London.
Love Jones arrived at a time when black love on screen was a rarity. The professional, ambitious characters soon became firm favourites among audiences, and it launched the careers of the actors that played them.
The 1997 film is a story of two urban African-Americans Darius (Larenz Tate), a writer, and Nina (Nia Long), a photographer. They meet at a Chicago club and an instant connection sparks between them. Music, photography and poetry grows the bond between the pair, which leads to a romance. However, the plot thickens when Nina decides to move to New York and mend her relationship with her ex-fiancé, Marvin (Khalil Kain). The decision comes as a shock and leaves Darius heartbroken, and the couple’s future in an uncertain place…
The film is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary, but where are the stars of the hit 90’s film today?
Nia Long
Today, Nia Long is a stunning pop culture icon, Hollywood leading lady and three-time NAACP award winner. Nia is currently filming new movie, Life in a Year due for release in 2018. She has also stared as Giuliana in four episodes of the TV series, Empire.
‘When people who been together a long time say that the romance is gone, what they’re really saying is they’ve exhausted the possibility.’ – Darius Lovehall
Larenz Tate
Larenz Tate is currently in the post-productions stages of new ‘indie comedy’ film Business Ethnics, and has just completed an upcoming romantic comedy called Girl Trip, directed by Malcolm D. Lee. He is also currently filming TV-movie called Salamander where he will be playing a character called Ethan. Excitingly, he is joining the cast of Power, for season 4.
Isiah Washington (Savon)
Isiah Washington is currently in the post-production stages of new movie Dead Trigger, due to be released in the US in 2017. Washington also stared as Dr Preston Burke in Grey’s Atomany (2007-2014), from 2007 – 2014.
Lisa Nicole Carson (Josie)
Since appearing in Love Jones, Lisa Nicole Carson has taken a step back from acting. Most recently she starred in BET’s The New Edition story, as Mae Bell, five years after her last appearance on TV where she played Renee Raddick in Harry’s Law, for one episode. She has spoken openly about her struggle with a Bipolar Disorder.
Bill Bellany (Hollywood)
After his role in Love Jones, Bill Bellany enjoyed a string of roles in TV and film. In 2016, he stared as Terry Twist in the film, The Bounce Back. In the same year, he played Sanders in Kindergarten cop 2.
Why not grab that Love Jones DVD and take a trip down 90’s movie lane?
