Essential Films from Black Filmmakers: Edward Ricourt on LOVE JONES

Today, screenwriter Edward Ricourt (NOW YOU SEE ME, JESSICA JONES) shares his thoughts on why Theodore Witcher’s 1997 film LOVE JONES is an essential film.

When I was still living in New York, eating 99 cent ramen noodles for dinner, I would go to open mic nights at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe to try out my poetry, telling “my story” and getting paid in snaps from the audience. When I saw LOVE JONES, I saw a man, a black man that I recognized. Not a thug, janitor, slave, or drug dealer, but a young man (played by Larenz Tate) who was a poet, like myself, who falls in love with a girl. Their relationship is complicated, messy, and the ending gave us a bittersweet ending that felt authentic. I saw myself in the movie. Not a hero, or swashbuckling prince. Just a guy who is figuring out his post college life. LOVE JONES will forever be on my personal favorites list.

LOVE JONES is unfortunately not available for streaming, but it can be rented on DVD from Netflix.

Our next entry, from LOVE & BASKETBALL and BEYOND THE LIGHTS writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood, will debut on Friday! And please tweet at us under #essentialblackfilms — we might share your thoughts on the blog!