He Got Game

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ray Allen
Director: Spike Lee
Genre: Drama
Year: 1998
Rating: 4 / 5

Spike Lee's He Got Game, about a father-son basketball duo, is by far his best film since the ground-breaking Do the Right Thing. Although audiences everywhere have already come to expect great things from Denzel Washington and Lee, it is Ray Allen's performance which truly makes this movie something special. Allen's Jesus Shuttlesworth is incredibly moving as a son forced to take on the responsibilities of a head of a family in the absence of his own father, and it is this portrayal which gives the movie life.

The movie opens with Jake Shuttlesworth (Washington) in prison, years away from any parole or release. (The origin of his stay in prison is revealed during the movie, but I will not be so cruel as to devulge that in this column.) The Warden (Ned Beatty) informs Jake that it would behoove him to do whatever was in his power to convince his son to attend Big State (no, this is not a real university), the alma mater of the state's governor. The Warden promises Jake that this favor could result in early parole. With Jake's assent, he is released for one week - the amount of time remaining before the end of the college signing period - in order to persuade his son.

Jesus Shuttlesworth (Allen) is the number one college basketball recruit in the country, and his family, friends, and coaches are all pulling him in different directions regarding his future. It seems that everyone wants a "piece of the pie," so everyone has some interest in his choice. Not one to rush to judgment, Jesus is left to ponder his current standing in life - namely, as the only one who is there to take care of his younger sister. Jesus is swarmed by the players (including NBA star Rick Fox) and coach (John Turturro) of Tech University, the governor's own Big State, and the alluring National Basketball Association, with the promise of millions. While the recruitment of Jesus by these various institutions is not the same as my own college recruitment, I am told it is quite an accurate depiction. Everyone has advice to offer, and everyone has an angle.

This dynamic situation is the one into which Jake Shuttlesworth walks. It was his departure which forced Jesus to assume the role of parent in his household, and the bitterness and hatred is evident from the initial confrontation. Jesus has never forgiven Jake for abandoning his family, and he is angered further by Jake's apparent angle in trying to persuade Jesus to attend Big State. Jake merely joins the extensive line of individuals - Jesus' uncle, his girlfriend, his high school coach, his sister - who want their voice to be heard above the others.

He Got Game is a gripping movie, powerful from the outset. Jake believes that is was his forceful parenting style which allowed Jesus to become the basketball player - and the man - that he is throughout the movie. Jesus believes that he became what he is in spite of the man he once considered his father. The movie keeps you entertained right up until the conclusion, where Lee attempts to tie all of the loose ends together in an unusual way. Yet do not let this detract from the overall drama of the tale, and the compelling relationship between father and son.

Cast:

Denzel Washington..........	Jake Shuttlesworth
Ray Allen..........	Jesus Shuttlesworth
Milla Jovovich..........	Dakota
Bill Nunn..........	Uncle Bubba
Ned Beatty..........	Warden
John Turturro..........	Coach Sunday

Certification: R for strong sexuality and language.
Running Time: 136 minutes.

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