IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > He Got Game (1998)
He Got Game
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

He Got Game (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3)
He Got Game (1998) -- A basketball player's father must try to convince him to go to a college so he can get a shorter sentence.
He Got Game (1998) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   13,361 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Spike Lee (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for He Got Game on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 May 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The father, the son and the holy game. more
Plot:
A basketball player's father must try to convince him to go to a college so he can get a shorter sentence. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(11 articles)
Antoine Fuqua, Spike Lee Together on 'Miss'
 (From CinemaSpy. 18 November 2009, 11:10 PM, PST)

Top Ten Working American Directors
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 7 October 2009, 2:18 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Who's wiser, the player or the father? more (109 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Denzel Washington ... Jake Shuttlesworth
Ray Allen ... Jesus Shuttlesworth

Milla Jovovich ... Dakota Burns

Rosario Dawson ... Lala Bonilla

Hill Harper ... Coleman 'Booger' Sykes
Zelda Harris ... Mary Shuttlesworth

Ned Beatty ... Warden Wyatt

Jim Brown ... Spivey

Joseph Lyle Taylor ... Crudup

Bill Nunn ... Uncle Bubba
Michele Shay ... Aunt Sally
Thomas Jefferson Byrd ... Sweetness
Roger Guenveur Smith ... Big Time Willie

John Turturro ... Coach Billy Sunday
Lonette McKee ... Martha Shuttlesworth
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for pervasive language, strong sexuality, some drug content and violence.
Runtime:
136 min | Argentina:137 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
For the scene where Jesus and Jake play for the letter of intent, the original script called for Jesus to win 15-0. However, Spike Lee encouraged the actors to play for real. The scene in the film reflects the actual game between Ray Allen and Denzel Washington. more
Quotes:
Michael Jordan: He got game. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
House of the Rising Son more

FAQ

What high school are the basketball scenes shot in?
more
13 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Who's wiser, the player or the father?, 13 December 2004
9/10
Author: nforgione08 from United States

He got game is an exceptional story about a basketball player who quarrels with family issues and strives towards his dream. Directed by Spike Lee, this movie takes an in depth look at exactly how many variables are involved when being the MVP, and how a man can grow up and assess these circumstances.

Ray Allen plays a character who's name is Jesus Shuttlesworth. At a young age, his father pressed him dramatically to be the best he could be. However by mistake kills Jesus's mother and is sent to prison. The troubled child eventually grows up to become one for the best players in the nation. Now the drama builds up. When the decision to go pro or join a college team is just around the corner, Jesus's father (played by Denzel Washington) is let out of jail to convert his son to a specific school or else the father is returned to jail, it leaves Jesus with a daunting task. The reconcile between the father and son is what eventually allows Jesus to become a real man and face his problems.

The idea that a boy cannot live without his father plays a defined role in this movie. Jesus grows up with the responsibilities of taking care of his sister, who is several years younger than he is. While it appears that Jesus has all of the support in the world, Spike Lee does a terrific job of accentuating how they are really leeches. All the people want are money, fame, and fortune; which is all possible through Jesus. The reason the father plays such a key role is because although he needs Jesus's help, he isn't interested in that. He really loves his son.

Although Spike Lee did some amazing work with this movie especially with the inner city sequences, as well as the use of colors and poetry to his advantage for getting his ideas across to the audience, several scenes were unneeded which seemed overly explicit. Although these are truly issues that can ruin a famous person, they seemed almost too graphic to be seen by a general audience. What Spike does so well is keeping the real connections with the street, and enabling the audience to see exactly what the character is going through by using several techniques.

Colors in the movie such as red, green, and black symbolize power, pain, and respect between different characters. While Jesus hates his name, his father named him that through a basketball player that was how he put it, "the truth." This movie proves that in real life, you can benefit more by forgiving, and not forgetting.

Overall I would recommend this film to anyone who wants to see a unique, intellectual film that will make you think about your present situation, as well as allowing you to know the difficulties that come with fame.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (109 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for He Got Game (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
the soundtrack Shaggy37
Norton's Favourite Film kershawwma
the guy workin at the shoe store dreamman2399
Who Was Big Time? thegreatestone
what shoes does booger have massgoon
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Freeway Black and White American Beauty The Basketball Diaries Blow
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.