Top Sports Movies, "He Got Game" Starring Denzel Washington and Ray Allen

"He Got Game" was released in the late 1990's and starred among others, Denzel Washington, and Celtics star Ray Allen as the main characters. This film is the story of Jesus Shuttlesworth (Allen) and his path to greatness on the basketball courts of Coney Island, New York. Jesus is viewed as the top high school prospect in the country, and is being pursued by many major colleges. What makes his path unique however, is also what contributes to his struggles. He is a teenager on his own trying to raise his younger sister, and faces not only the pressures of living up to the hype surrounding his athletic talents, but of maintaining his household as caretaker of his sister. As a youth, Jesus witnesses his mother murdered by his own father, Jake (Washington). Jake Shuttlesworth is serving a prison sentance in Attica for the murder of his wife, which is where the story gets tricky.

The govenor of New York is an avid basketball fan and alum of Big State, one of the colleges currently pursuing Jesus. The govenor informs the warden that Jake will receive a pardon on his sentence if he can convince his son, Jesus, to sign a letter of intent to play at Big State. They allow for a 1 week "work furlough" in which Jake can return to Coney Island to convince his son to play for Big State. There is only one problem. After witnessing his father murder his mother, Jesus has no intentions of helping his father in any way. There then becomes a struggle within the film between father and son about the merits of forgivness and the importance of family. Other plot lines also appear, such as Jesus being involved with a young lady (Rosario Dawson) who ends up convincing Jesus to sign with an agent, which happens to be illegal under NCAA guidelines. During time not spent with his son, Jake ends up getting involved with a local prostitute and builds more than just a sexual connection, but a friendship. Despite these other plot lines, the reocurring theme is the struggle between father and son.

The film does a good job portaying the tensions between this strained relationship. Washington is brilliant as the estranged father, and Ray Allen in his first film, more than holds his own on screen. The film is also brought to life by many appearances of real life basketball personalaties including Bill Walton, Michael Jordan, and Dick Vitale. These personalities offer an air of authenticity to the film.

The film climaxes with a one on one game near the end of the film with high stakes. Should Jake win (Jake was an excellent player in his youth as well), Jesus agrees to sign on with Big State, and thus ensuring his fathers freedom. Sould Jesus win, the letter of intent will be ripped up with the agreement that upon return to prison, Jake will no longer pursue communication with the Jesus,and his younger sister Mary. Despite putting up an early struggle, the elder Shuttlesworth is no matach for the young phenom, and Jesus claims the victory and proceeds to immediately ripping up the letter of intent. At this point, the work furlought time has elapsed and Jake is returned to custody.

The film has a rather sad ending. When signing day arrives, Jesus holds a press conference to declare his intentions. In speaking to the audience, Jesus states that his family prayers are with his father in Attica and indicates that the father son conflict is no more. Further, Jesus announces his decison to accept the schloarship from Big State. All is not well though back at Attica however, with the warden telling Jake that there is no evidence supporting that he actually convinced his son to sign on with Big State, and thus voiding the oppurtunity of a pardon. Jake remains in prison while Jesus goes on to play for Big State.

Overall, the film is a solid watch. The plot and by-lines are very good, and the acting is also very good. The title track song, "He Got Game" by Public Enemy. also encaptures the emotions of the film. The film is slightly more than 2 hours and is reccomended to various audiences based on its appeal beyond mere sports. This is not a film for minors however, as it is rated "R" due to nudity, drug usage and language.