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This film takes what amounts to a 30-minute television skit and stretches it into a 90-minute film, leaving plenty of time to go out for popcorn. Ho hum and shades of Jack Lemmon, but here is another film with the premise of a man pretending to be a woman. Juwanna Mann is the vehicle for Miguel A. Nunez, Jr. to showcase his talents as a comic.

Miguel plays hotshot basketball star Jamal, with an ego the size of a stadium. Eventually, it catches up with him and he's bounced from the league because of stripping before a television camera. Soon, with no money coming in, he moves in with his aunt and sulks. Eventually, he discovers the wonderful world of women's basketball and with the help of his I'm-always-your-friend agent Kevin Pollak, dresses like a woman and tries out for the Banshees. Well, guess what, he/she makes it and "Juwanna Mann" is born. Juwanna gets along with the girls just fine except when he falls for Vivica A. Fox. How to be truthful when you are impersonating someone else?

Juwanna Mann does not have the things going for it that you might imagine. There are no barf scenes, no lingering scenes of Miguel trying on clothes for the right effect, and no faltering on high heels. There are plenty of scenes of Miguel dressed as a woman, straightening his bra, getting sternly talked to by his aunt and trying to get the best of Pollak. The Banshees team is composed of a tough coach (Annie Corley), a very tall player from Russia who doesn't shave and a group of crazy fans. Of course, the girl Miguel likes has another boyfriend (Ginuwine) who is two-timing her and of course, the team doesn't catch on that Miguel is Juwanna until an unfortunate incident concerning a backboard.

This reviewer was not acquainted with the talents of Miguel A. Nunez, Jr. and finds him an appreciable talent. Paired with Kevin Pollak, it's reminiscent of a watered-down version of Jerry Maguire." Really watered-down. The team plays an awesome game of basketball, but they still lack self esteem going into the finals so guess who gives them a rousing speech. Tommy Davidson is over the top as the guy who falls for Juwanna (think Joe E. Brown from Some Like It Hot). A running joke has him admiring his teeth in the blade of a table knife. The bonding sessions with the girls go on and on and it's a relief when the action goes back to the basketball court. Juwanna Mann is a bit of basketball fluff that will do well on video.

Copyright 2002 Marie Asner 
Submitted 6/23/02