He Got Game (1998)

(Flash Review)Would you lend a hand to your father after he has been imprisoned for doing something terrible to your mother? What would it take to forgive him? These are some of the questions raised in this film. The father's objective is made clear from the start as his son, a high school basketball phenom is being recruited by various colleges to commit to their school and he hasn't spoken to his father since he was a kid. The father must persuade him to play for a specific school to help reduce his prison sentence. The film is very well acted with a wide range of emotions displayed. Even by Ray Allen who is known more for draining buckets vs his acting prowess. There are some very smart edits, transitions and the music used is very original for an urban-centered film; it was scored by Aaron Copland!

don't be fooled by the 6.8/10 score on IMDb. I have no idea what sort of things people would find to score such a powerful film so low. It's not a sports film at all despite the heavy frame of basketball, but more of a film of love,family and the battle of deciding the struggle between head and heart. The film is readily accessible to it's viewers, and the subject matter whilst can be uncomfortable, is wholly believable. This is a film about life and choices, as well as redemption.This movie shines despite Spike Lee's need to scream black exploitation in every project he undertakes, and is a film that will provoke thought across all boundaries of race and colour for all peoples. Everyone should see this film at least once.

He Got Game is basically a story of redemption for a conflicted family of father and son played over the setting of basketball. The movie alludes to so many possible and actual struggles a man may face but its particularly speaking whether intentionally or subliminally of the African American experience. Though one may not see the plot being focused as it tends to go in several different directions, at times its a perfectly frustrating example of how out of control a life may become if the right choices aren't made.Denzel's portrayal of Jake Shuttlesworth is a prime example of a flawed but strong willed individual who angrily imposes himself onto his son to succeed at where he most likely failed. In the process he pushes his son away and in a sense sends him on a path to be that same angry man he became. Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth has so many options but no answers as he takes the weight of the world on his shoulders. His character is that of kid presented with choices forcing him to become a man. But without guidance since he essentially raised himself and his sister in the absence of his father and death of his mother, Jesus is vulnerable to all the temptation around him.Spike Lee forces points down your throat unnecessarily with explicit sex scenes which he does way too often in just about all of his films but though uncomfortable, it works in the aspect of this film. Seeing Jesus and Jake grind it out in a game of one on one is a great climax brought to a head after Jesus's several rejections of his father acceptance and Jake's realization of his time running out. The lesson taught is a great lesson learned and in the end redemption is found through the strength of understanding between father and son.

The most beautiful music ever used to portray a characters feelings and emotions. Other than the music the story, acting and cinematography are great, very well thought out and very original. Even though I'm not a professional film critic I would recommend this movie to anyone who thinks sport films have no actual plot other than a struggling team which triumphs in the end. I would also recommend this film to basketball fans because professional Basketball player Ray Allen who currently plays for the Seattle Supersonics is the 2nd main character "Jesus" in the movie.Fantastic film, please watch and post your review!!!