He Got Game (1998) Review

Spike Lee's film contribution of 1998 marks his greatest graduation as a filmmaker since "Malcolm X"."He Got Game" documents the story of Jesus Shuttlesworth, the top high school basketball player inthe U.S. who is receiving incentives one way or the other, to attendsomeone's university.Jesus' father Jake - in prison for accidentallykilling his mother - is offered an early parole in exchange for Jesus'enrollment at the governor's alma mater.Jake has one week to convince hisson, who wants nothing to do with him.This film is really not aboutbasketball, it is instead, a tale of a father seeking the forgiveness &respect of his son.Lee makes good documentation of the cutthroat world ofprofessional sports recruiting.Washington, as always, delivers a touchingperformance. Whether asking his son for forgiveness, or giving his wife'stombstone an embrace, Washington portrays a flawed man in deep need to healhis family.
Lee had no need to cast an NBA player, but cast Ray Allenanyway, who does a fine job.The music, a mix of Public Enemy and AaronCopeland, is an odd combination that Lee puts to effective use.This filmintroduced Lee's slower pacing of storytelling, which he would continue todo with "Summer Of Sam", and it works quite well.

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Product Description:
Academy Award(R)-winner Denzel Washington (Best Actor, 2001, TRAINING DAY) stars in this must-see story about a convict given one shot at a second chance to be a father! With promises of a reduced sentence, Jake Shuttlesworth (Washington) is granted temporary release from state prison in order to persuade the nation's top basketball recruit ... his estranged son, Jesus (Ray Allen of NBA's Milwaukee Bucks), to play ball for the governor's alma mater! But just as Jesus faces intense pressures and irresistible temptations contemplating his big decision, Jake is also forced to consider not only what's best for himself ... but what's best for his son! With a groundbreaking soundtrack by the legendary Public Enemy -- plus great cameos from John Turturro and basketball personalities Dick Vitale, John Thompson, Dean Smith, and more, HE GOT GAME is a critically acclaimed hit you don't want to miss!

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