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HE GOT GAME
Denzel Washington gives the performance of his life in this superb film. His speech, that of an inner city resident; his Afro and beard; his one-on-one basketball playing with his son, and in every scene throughout this excellent film, Washington is outstanding. He has always given fine performances in the many varied roles he has played but this film takes him to new heights.
Jake Shuttlesworth (Washington) is in jail for having killed his wife. In an argument with his young son when he threatens to punish him, his wife tries to stop him. When he shoves her away she accidentally hits her head on the stove and dies.
Jake's used to teach his son everything he knew about basketball. Jake played well but not quite well enough to be a pro. When the son, Jesus (Ray Allen who played as a guard for the Milwaukee Bucks and in the NBA Rookie All-Star game and who here makes his acting debut) shows promise, he keeps after him, after him every moment, toughening him, hoping the son will make it for the family, the only way out of poverty or near poverty in a way that Jake has never able to do.. Many blacks dream that same dream but of course a minuscule number ever makes it big time.
HE GOT GAME is filled with The Right Stuff. While Jake is in prison, Warden Wyatt (Ned Beatty) offers him a deal: The Governor, a great basketball fan and an alumnus of Big State, is ready to offer to commute Jake's sentence if he can get his number one-rated son to sign a Letter Of Intent to go to Big State. Gorgeous women from various universities let Jesus know that they are ready to go to bed with him if he signs up . . . and several already do. Agents are ready to give him cars whose stereo system costs $35,000 and there is more where that came from if he will allow them to manage him. Poor Jesus, from a poverty family, has to use all his inner strength to ward them off. And then Jake appears to beg him to go to Big State, letting him know that if Jesus does not sign with Big State, his father will be returned to jail. HE GOT GAME lets us know that basketball is Big Business.
Big Time Willie (Roger Guenveur Smith) does a bang up job with his role as a gambler, pimp, and drug dealer as he tries to warn Jesus (and the young blacks in the theater watching the movie) about all the temptations and why they should be strong and stay on the straight and narrow.
Lastly, the film shows the problems blacks have with whites who promise but who are not to be trusted. HE GOT GAME covers a big court. The beautiful photography of the basketball does not keep us from realizing this movie's ball is bouncing everywhere. Music, by Aaron Copland and others greatly enhance the film.
Jesus' "bodyguard" and friend is "Booger" (Hill Harper). The sister, Mary, whom Jesus looks after, is Zelda Harris. Other supporting roles are played by Milla Jovich, Bill Nunn, Jim Brown, the lovely Rosario Dawson as Jesus' girlfriend, and Lonette McKee as Jake's wife.
Do not miss this one.
Written and Directed by the very talented Spike Lee.
4 Bytes
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Copyright 1998 Ben Hoffman
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