He Got Game: 4 BEERS  (Some problems but worth seeing)

Jesus Shuttelsworth (Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks) is the number one High School recruit in the nation. Whether it's coming to their school or riding his coat tails to supposed glory, everyone wants a piece of Jesus. He's constantly being pestered about his future plans as people try to lead Jesus to the path that will most benefit themselves. Jesus tries to stay clear of all these sycophants and live the best he can while raising his younger sister Mary (Zelda Harris) on his own, since his mom is dead and his dad is in prison for murder. A week before Jesus must declare his intentions the governor offers his dad, Jake (Denzel Washington), a deal. If Jake can convince his son to attend the governor's alma mater, Big State, his sentence will be greatly reduced. Now all Jake has to do is persuade his son, who despises him, to listen to him and not to his coach or girlfriend Lala (Rosario Dawson) who both have their own plans for Jesus.

It obvious that writer/director Spike Lee loves basketball. The opening shots show kids of all races and backgrounds enjoying basketball for what it is, a game. He Got Game is a movie about a father and his son, and in pushing him to succeed he pushed his son away from him. While basketball is the thing that wraps everything together, it's not the focus. Washington was great as the father seeking the acceptance and exoneration from his son. Considering he's an athlete and not a actor Ray Allen does an adequate job. This a different movie in the respect that there aren't any good guys. Everyone is dirty to some extent. The biggest problem with this film is it gets sidetracked by Jake trying to save Dakota (Milla Jovovich), a prostitute staying in the same fleabag motel. This plot line didn't serve any purpose and only distracted from the much better main story. Despite a few stumbels He Got Game is a well writen and acted movie that is worth seeing.

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Photo from Touchstone Pictures