He Got Game

He Got Game poster & wallpaper

Denzel Washington, Hill Harper, John Turturro

As a filmmaker and passionate fan of basketball, Spike Lee was the perfect director for this ambitious and heartfelt sports drama, which brought out the best in both Lee and his well-chosen cast. In h...( read more  read more... )is third film for Lee, Denzel Washington plays Jake Shuttlesworth, who is in prison for the manslaughter of his wife. His estranged son Jesus (well played by Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Ray Allen) is the nation's best high school basketball star, and Jake receives a compelling offer from the state's governor: If Jake can convince Jesus to sign a letter of intent to attend Big State University, the governor will reduce his sentence. Lee turns this back-room bargain into a fascinating examination of capitalism in college and professional sports, but the film also works as the moving story of a father's desperate attempt to regain his son's respect. Lee handles the basketball angle with an insider's awareness, and takes a few stylistic risks (including a memorable final image) that pay off with considerable emotional effect. He Got Game fully explores the visual poetry of basketball and the greed that fuels this particular vision of the American dream, but Lee never loses sight of the sport's inherent beauty, or the higher priorities of redemption and family that form the solid foundation of this exceptional film. --Jeff Shannon

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82% liked it

Critics

81% liked it

R, 136 min.

Directed by: Spike Lee

Released: May 1, 1998

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DVD Released: January 15, 2002

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Top Flixster Reviews

  • Showrogan
    October 12, 2007
    Showrogan's review
    This was fantastic, the casting was great and the performances solid...
  • AgentLexi2132
    August 20, 2007
    AgentLexi2132's review
    A few flaws but otherwise enjoyable movie, may be boring moments but only fleeting ones.
  • sanjurosamurai
    February 20, 2007
    sanjurosamurai's review
    pretty good but a little graphic for a sports movie about a high school kid
  • allan913
    December 11, 2006
    allan913's review
    A totally engagining and effective film. an awsome movie. Denzel Washington is brillant. Another remarkable performance. This film packs on power, intensity, passion and excellence.
  • Collegekid
    December 3, 2006
    Collegekid's review
    A great movie. Ray Allen makes his big screen debut, and Denzel Washington, Rosario Dawson and Milla Jovovich carry the picture.
  • PattyCsU
    February 28, 2009
    PattyCsU's review
    One of my favorite Spike Lee and Denzel Washington films. Well written and directed, and Washingtons acting was sharp and focused.

    Ray Allens acting felt a bit stiff and rehearsed but for a basketball player it was a fairly good effort. Having Allen a real star player in the cas... ...( read more )

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Critic Reviews

View more He Got Gam... reviews at RottenTomatoes.com
March 25, 2007
David Edelstein, Slate

[Lee] gets a charming performance from Allen, who, in his acting debut, occupies his pedestal with grace and diffidence. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

He Got Game is Lee's best film since Malcolm X. full review

Comments

  • holidaymell
    September 18, 2006
    holidaymell
    Great movie about a kid who is pushed by his father to become the best basketball player he can!
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