Lathan, charismatic and beautifully strong, holds the screen in every scene.

In her first feature, writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood tells a familiar tale with first-rate acting and an underlying sense of authenticity.

The cinematic equivalent of a high, arching rainbow of a three-pointer from midcourt.

The conventional and the cliche are slam-dunked in favor of a fresh, authentic take on passion, ambition and coming of age.

Makes hoops look like the sexiest game in town.

Uses sports as metaphor for life with rare twist.

A startling debut full of emotional depth and political punch.

Although the writing and the directing are smart and purposeful, the movie takes flight on the strength of its performances.

It's a tad too generic to be a slam dunk.

Love and basketball -- if you like either one, here is a movie for you.

Any critic likes to predict the rise of a star, so let me introduce you to Gina Prince-Bythewood.

Not as taut as it could have been, but I prefer its emotional perception to the pumped-up sports cliches I was sort of expecting.

The biggest missteps come toward the end, when Prince-Bythewood's storybook instincts get the best of her and force a wrap-up that doesn't feel earned.

Never really more than an amiable Cinderella story, but it leavens its subject with such heart, such idealism and such pure eroticism that it's nearly a total success.