While hampered by an introduction with one too many music video-esque jump cuts, Crossover’s satisfying second and thirds Acts are worth enduring the weak Act I. M

September 2006

I grew up in New Orleans. Life ain’t always been ironed t-shirts and nice breakfasts. So going back to the streets ain’t hard. It’s just once you grow out of the streets you choose when you go back. A lot of people don’t understand that. They just stay in the streets until they’re 50.

The thing about Crossover that I wanted to impose on this character and the story I wanted to tell was the street is going to always be there no matter what you do, but basketball is a means to an end.
  Anthony Mackie
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

Being able to play a guy that was pretty much no nonsense. In trying to diversify, you’re always looking for different things – may be doing things that people aren’t always expecting of you. Preston Whitmore, the writer/director, I really like him and I’ve liked some of the other stuff that he’s done. I really wanted to work with Anthony Mackie.
  Wayne Brady
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

I grew up with this girl. This girl was the girl that lived around the corner who my mom told me I couldn’t hang out with because she was going to have a baby. She was getting pregnant and I couldn’t kick it with her. I related to her a lot in my childhood and in my community. She wasn’t a good girl.
  Eva Pigford
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

The joke of the movie was me dealing with the real basketball players. Basketball is more about the talk that you do instead of the ball that you play and I’m one of the best shit talkers in America. So you might be able to out play me, but you won’t out talk me on the court. I won most of my games that way.

Hot Sauce was amazing and the stuff that he can do and his ball handling skills... I’ve never seen anybody do that since the original Harlem Globetrotters.
  Anthony Mackie
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

Hot Sauce – I pretty much came across as a groupie when I first met him! I thought the athletes were absolutely some of the best athletes I’d ever seen. Hands down!
  Wayne Brady
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

Expected lessons?

I want young people to see the broad range of options that they have in the community…Examine your talent. Examine what it is about you that’s special. Be diligent and selective in choosing which avenue you are going to go down because it can be the life or death of you.
  Eva Pigford
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

The important thing that I wanted people to realize is that basketball is a means to an end and if you don’t make it to the NBA that ain’t the end of your life, that ain’t the end of your world.

I expect people to come out and have intelligent conversations with their kids which they usually can’t have unless they go see an animated movies. I can’t relate to a fish. I think it’s a great story and I can relate to the story, but at the same time I can’t see myself in a fish. I can’t see myself in Elmo. I feel like young Black kids specifically lack vision as far as the places they see themselves in.
  Anthony Mackie
 (August 21, 2006, Crossover Press Junket)

 

Los Angeles, California, USA

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