He Got Game

1998 Directed by Spike Lee

The father, the son and the holy game.

A basketball player's father must try to convince him to go to a college so he can get a shorter sentence.

Denzel Washington Ray Allen Rosario Dawson Hill Harper Jill Kelly Chasey Lain John Turturro Shaquille O'Neal Charles Barkley Michael Jordan Milla Jovovich Ned Beatty Robin Roberts Scottie Pippen Reggie Miller Bill Walton Dick Vitale Bobby Cremins Rick Pitino Jim Boeheim George Karl Clem Haskins Denny Crum Nolan Richardson Roy Williams John Chaney John Thompson Lute Olson Dean Smith Show All…

Alternative Titles

Rankkaa peliä, Man to Man, A játék ördöge, Yesh Lo et Ze, Last Game, 히 갓 게임, No perdonarás, Gra o honor, Tudo em Jogo, Sa înceapa jocul, Dobio je igru, Его игра, Його гра

drama

136 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by josh lewis ★★★★

a father uses his son as a vessel for all his suffering, burdens and hopes. "it's biblical." "yeah, no kidding."
Review by davidehrlich ★★★½

"all those lips all those hips all those honey dips."
the *most* Spike Lee joint there is? and the quintessential Denzel Washington performance.
that constant Copland score!
magical-realist touch certainly gives the impression that the bifurcated narrative comes together, but i get the impression that Spike was at war with his own cooked up abstractions... the director part of him wanted to let this story fly on its themes, but the writer part of him could never let that happen (hence, milla jovovich as one of the cinema's sweetest prostitutes). all the same, i cant' help but think that the ending works... the guard with the sniper rifle is a touch too far, and Ray Allen trying to command that long final shot is a bit of a laugh, but the shot counts even if it's off the rim.
Review by Logan Kenny ★★★★★ 4

this is one of the best movies i’ve ever seen
Review by Steven Sheehan ★★★★

Part Eleven of the Spike Lee Feature Film Project

Denzel's definitely got game. Lee's eleventh feature film is centred around his other obsession, basketball, how the lure of fame and fortune is thrown at the feet of the young men who are touted for big things in the game. With Lee's passion and a surprisingly effective performance from real-life b-ball star Ray Allen, finding authenticity held few problems.
Allen does what is required of him in most departments, although that final edge, a certain depth is lacking from his delivery. Not that it matters too much, as Mr Washington more than makes up for any missing emotional depth with the type of complex realisation of his character that has made…
Review by Danny Webster ★★★ 2

Director Project
Director: Spike Lee (Final Film)
What have I learned about Spike Lee? First and foremost - despite misguided preconceptions, I've enjoyed his films. He has a real genuine voice and he has a fiery passion, and with He Got Game when his passion is at full burn, it really does tell.
That, and he just so happens to have a genius performance from Denzel Washington to go along with it; a performance I might add that adds and adds and adds and adds and adds so much to the film; so much in fact; I forgot the film focused (not overly) on Basketball. A sport which although I have some respect for simply because it has obviously given…
Review by Justin Peterson ★★★½

(The Average Joe’s Movie Club Cast Episode 3)
Writer and Director Spike Lee's love letter to his favorite sport (basketball).
"I pray you understand why I pushed you so hard! It was only to get you to that next level, Son. I mean, you's the first Shuttlesworth that's ever gonna make it out of these projects, and I was the one who put the ball in your hand, Son! I put the ball in your crib!"
This Spike Lee joint tells the story of a father named Jake Shuttlesworth brilliantly played by Denzel Washington, who loses everything as a result of him trying so hard to push his son Jesus to greatness on the court. I really enjoyed seeing this…

Recent reviews

Review by lucas

Aaron Copland’s score is good. Denzel is alright and Ray Allen’s effort is commendable. The He Got Game 13’s are still my favorite J’s.
That’s it. That's everything positive I have to say about He Got Game.
Review by jamesthesnake12 ★★★★★

I love ray Allen , and this movie works because of him
Review by killbanshee ★★★★★

The greatest basketball movie, possibly the greatest sports movie of all time. Spike Lee’s signature is at its best in He Got Game. The dialogue is incredible, great visuals, great soundtrack and the score was incredible. Ray Allen was surprisingly a pretty good actor, especially for his debut, and the performances are incredible all around. A must watch for any cinephile, and a must watch for any sports fan. One of the best movies ever made.
9.5/10
Review by Paavan ★★★★

Ray Allen's performance is one of my all-time favorite portrayals of being in the space between boyhood and manhood. Denzel brilliant as always. Lovely score.
Review by Mohammad Khlifat ★★★

الطريقة الي يمشي فيه دينزل لازن تكون ماركة مسجلة بإسمه.
و بعدين شو قصة الموسيقى الي بالفيلم و كأني بحضر فيلم فيه مريض نفسي و الجو هذا !!!
Review by mentalfuneral ★★★★

the earl monroe speech and the one on one game every time
Review by shoshey ★★½

I don't really know how I feel about this movie. Besides Denzel, the vast majority of the acting performances lacked depth and came off as rather stilted. Both visually and thematically though, I liked the ending!
Review by Marcus Robinson ★★★★

Spike's 5th best film. He bookend's the 90's with Denzel, the greatest actor's he has ever worked with. And no one calls Ray Allen "Ray Allen; he's forever cemented as Jesus Shuttlesworth.
Review by TommyBoyThe3rd

The greatest basketball movie ever made (if we aren't counting Uncut Gems).