Just Wright
Encyclopedia
Just Wright is a 2010 romantic comedy film
starring Common and Queen Latifah
that tells the story of a physical therapist who falls in love with a pro basketball
player. The film received mixed reviews.
(that was filmed at the Izod Center even though the game took place at the US Airways Center
in Phoenix, Arizona
in real life.), Scott becomes injured. The injury could possibly ruin his career. Morgan suggests that he enlist the help of Leslie, since she did not approve of his previous physical therapist, Bella Goldsmith, due to her good looks. As a result, Leslie moves into their home. Rumors circle that Scott's career would end quickly if he did not recover by the playoffs, which causes Morgan to leave Scott through a letter. Scott becomes extremely upset, discouraged to continue recovery. Leslie encourages him and helps him get back in the game, and the two of them grow closer while she nurses him back to health. Scott is able to return to the NBA right before the playoffs. Initially, he is apprehensive and pays poorly until Leslie encourages him. He then makes the winning shot. Scott thanks Leslie profusely and offers to take her out to a nice dinner. After the dinner, Scott surprises Leslie with a completely remodeled car (he kept the dent in the car door by having butterfly doors installed in the car). Leslie thanks Scott with a quick kiss which he returns with a passionate kiss. Leslie and Scott spend a romantic evening together, but Leslie wakes up to Morgan at Scott's door hoping to reconcile. Leslie quickly moves out as Scott and Morgan reunite. At dinner, Scott notices that Morgan is shallow since she knows many types of expensive champagne while Leslie did not mind eating from a food truck. At an televised interview, Scott informs the host that Leslie was more than a physical therapist as she managed to make the worst three months of his life, the best three months of his life. Scott (and Morgan) then realize that Scott is in love with Leslie. Morgan understands and informs Scott that Leslie is meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers - because Leslie helped Scott recover in such a short amount of time, many teams offered her the position as an athletic trainer. Leslie was seriously considering Sixers
because she could not work for the Nets and with Scott. Scott finds her in Philadelphia and expresses his love for her. When they are shown a year later, Leslie is working as the Nets athletic trainer and they are married.
. Roger Ebert
gave the film 3 stars out of 4.
It debuted in 1,831 theatres at #4 with an opening gross of $8,284,989 well below most critics expectations of having an opening better than ten million. The film stayed in theatres 47 days, the equivalent of 6.7 weeks.
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
starring Common and Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
that tells the story of a physical therapist who falls in love with a pro basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. The film received mixed reviews.
Plot
Leslie Wright (Queen Latifah) is a straight-shooting physical therapist and die-hard basketball fan that is tired of being a guy's best friend. She and her god-sister, Morgan, are living together and Morgan wants to be an NBA trophy wife. After a Nets basketball game, Leslie helps star player, Scott McKnight (Common) at a gas station. He offers to open her door for her (showing her that he is a true gentleman) but the task proves difficult as the door to her old car is stiff and hard to open (as it seems she has a dent in the side of her door, she refuses to get fixed because her grandfather gave her the car and he had a dimple in his left cheek). He invites her to his birthday party, where she shows up with Morgan. He meets Morgan and suddenly takes an interest in her. After a quick relationship, Scott and Morgan end up being engaged. At the 2009 NBA All-Star Game2009 NBA All-Star Game
The 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on February 15, 2009 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The game was the 58th edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 2008–09 NBA season...
(that was filmed at the Izod Center even though the game took place at the US Airways Center
US Airways Center
US Airways Center is a sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1992, and is the home of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association, the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena...
in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
in real life.), Scott becomes injured. The injury could possibly ruin his career. Morgan suggests that he enlist the help of Leslie, since she did not approve of his previous physical therapist, Bella Goldsmith, due to her good looks. As a result, Leslie moves into their home. Rumors circle that Scott's career would end quickly if he did not recover by the playoffs, which causes Morgan to leave Scott through a letter. Scott becomes extremely upset, discouraged to continue recovery. Leslie encourages him and helps him get back in the game, and the two of them grow closer while she nurses him back to health. Scott is able to return to the NBA right before the playoffs. Initially, he is apprehensive and pays poorly until Leslie encourages him. He then makes the winning shot. Scott thanks Leslie profusely and offers to take her out to a nice dinner. After the dinner, Scott surprises Leslie with a completely remodeled car (he kept the dent in the car door by having butterfly doors installed in the car). Leslie thanks Scott with a quick kiss which he returns with a passionate kiss. Leslie and Scott spend a romantic evening together, but Leslie wakes up to Morgan at Scott's door hoping to reconcile. Leslie quickly moves out as Scott and Morgan reunite. At dinner, Scott notices that Morgan is shallow since she knows many types of expensive champagne while Leslie did not mind eating from a food truck. At an televised interview, Scott informs the host that Leslie was more than a physical therapist as she managed to make the worst three months of his life, the best three months of his life. Scott (and Morgan) then realize that Scott is in love with Leslie. Morgan understands and informs Scott that Leslie is meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers - because Leslie helped Scott recover in such a short amount of time, many teams offered her the position as an athletic trainer. Leslie was seriously considering Sixers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
because she could not work for the Nets and with Scott. Scott finds her in Philadelphia and expresses his love for her. When they are shown a year later, Leslie is working as the Nets athletic trainer and they are married.
Cast
- Queen LatifahQueen LatifahDana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
as Leslie Wright-McKnight - Common as Scott McKnight
- Paula PattonPaula PattonPaula Maxine Patton is an American actress. She is mostly known for her appearances in the films Idlewild , Déjà Vu , Mirrors , Swing Vote , Precious , Just Wright , and Jumping the Broom .-Early life and career:Patton was born in Los Angeles, to Joyce , a European-American...
as Morgan Alexander - Phylicia Rashad Phylicia RashadPhylicia Rashād is an American Tony Award winning actress and singer, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show....
as Janice McKnight - James Pickens Jr. as Lloyd Wright
- Pam Grier Pam GrierPamela Suzette "Pam" Grier is an American actress. She became famous in the early 1970s, after starring in a string of moderately successful women in prison and blaxploitation films such as 1974's Foxy Brown. Her career was revitalized in 1997 after her appearance in Quentin Tarantino's film...
as Ella Wright - Mehcad BrooksMehcad BrooksMehcad Jason McKinley Brooks is an American actor and former fashion model.-Early life:Brooks was born and raised in Austin, Texas, where he attended L.C. Anderson High School...
as Angelo Bembrey - Laz AlonsoLaz AlonsoLazaro "Laz" Alonso is an American film and television actor. He is best known for playing Tsu'tey in James Cameron's science fiction film Avatar. He is also well known for his role as Fenix "Rise" Calderon in the film Fast & Furious. Alonso has had roles in other films such as Jarhead, This...
as Mark Matthews - Michael LandesMichael LandesMichael Christopher Landes is an American actor. He is known for his roles of Jimmy Olsen in the first season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Detective Nicholas O'Malley in Special Unit 2, Officer Thomas Burke in Final Destination 2, and David Conlon in The Wedding Bells.-Lois...
as Nelson Kaplan - Dwyane WadeDwyane WadeDwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. nicknamed Flash or D-Wade, is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Awarded 2006 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Wade has established himself as one of the most well-known and popular players in the league...
as Himself - Dwight HowardDwight HowardDwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
as Himself - Mike FratelloMike FratelloMichael Robert "Mike" Fratello is an American color analyst and a professional basketball coach. He previously coached the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA, and is currently the head coach of the Ukraine national basketball team.-Background:Fratello was born in...
as Himself - Stan Van GundyStan Van GundyStanley A. "Stan" Van Gundy is the head coach of the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. From 2003 to 2005, he was the head coach of the Miami Heat but resigned in 2005 mid-season, turning the job over to Pat Riley...
as Himself - Kenny SmithKenny SmithKenneth "The Jet" Smith is a retired National Basketball Association player and current TV basketball analyst, primarily for Inside the NBA on TNT.-Early life:...
as Himself - Marv AlbertMarv AlbertMarv Albert is an American television and radio sportscaster. Honored for his work as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he is commonly referred to as "the voice of basketball." From 1967–2004, he was also known as "the voice of the New York Knicks."Including Super Bowl XLII, Marv has called...
as Himself - Rashard LewisRashard LewisRashard Quovon Lewis is an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Washington Wizards as a small forward and a power forward.-Seattle SuperSonics:...
as Himself - Chris PaulChris PaulChristopher Emmanuel Paul is an American professional basketball point guard for the New Orleans Hornets.Paul was born and raised in North Carolina. Despite only playing two varsity basketball seasons in high school, he was a McDonald's All-American and accepted a scholarship with nearby Wake...
as Himself - Rajon RondoRajon RondoRajon Pierre Rondo is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Rondo attended Eastern High School and Oak Hill Academy for his high-school basketball career, before receiving a...
as Himself - Stuart ScottStuart ScottStuart Scott is a sportscaster and anchor on ESPN's SportsCenter.-Early life and career:Scott attended Richard J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and went to college at the University of North Carolina. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity...
as Himself - Bobby SimmonsBobby SimmonsBobby Simmons is an American professional basketball player.-College career:Simmons played three years of college basketball for DePaul University...
as Himself - Elton BrandElton BrandElton Tyron Brand is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association...
as Himself - Jalen RoseJalen RoseJalen Anthony Rose is a retired American professional basketball player, who currently works as a sports analyst for the sports television network ESPN...
as Himself - LeBron JamesLeBron JamesLeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
as Himself - Mike GolicMike GolicMichael Louis "Mike" Golic is a co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning and a former defensive lineman at Notre Dame and in the NFL. The NFL website lists him as and ....
as Himself - Doris BurkeDoris BurkeDoris Burke is a sideline reporter and color analyst for ESPN college basketball, as well as NBA on ESPN and NBA on ABC games. Burke handles both men's and women's basketball at the college and pro level. She is primarily an analyst on Big East games for men's college basketball, often teaming...
as Herself - Mike Greenberg as Himself
- Peter HermannPeter HermannPeter Hermann is a German-American actor and writer. He is married to actress Mariska Hargitay, with whom he has three children.-Career:Hermann had brief stints on a variety of television shows that include the soap opera, Guiding Light , the ABC Family show, Beautiful People and the Lifetime...
as Dr. Taylor - Leo AllenLeo AllenLeopold Rufus "Leo" Allen is an American stand-up comedian and writer from Detroit, Michigan, known as one half of the comedy team Slovin and Allen.- Career :Allen has been performing stand-up comedy since the late '90s...
as Paul - Terrence Blanchard as Jazz Musician
- KhaVaughn Love as Carmelo AnthonyCarmelo AnthonyCarmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...
- Jim Sann as Himself & Nets Head Coach
- John LegendJohn LegendJohn Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
as Himself
Reception
Just Wright has received mixed reviews. The film currently has a 45 percent rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
gave the film 3 stars out of 4.
It debuted in 1,831 theatres at #4 with an opening gross of $8,284,989 well below most critics expectations of having an opening better than ten million. The film stayed in theatres 47 days, the equivalent of 6.7 weeks.