He Got Game is a 1998 American sports drama film written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington and Ray Allen. The film revolves around Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington), the father of the top-ranked basketball prospect in the country, Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen). Jake, in prison for killing his wife, is released on parole for a week by the state's governor to persuade his son to play for the alma mater in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. The film received several Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Denzel Washington, Best Directo for Spike Lee, and Best Screenplay for Spike Lee. The soundtrack for the film was composed of numerous orchestral pieces by Aaron Copland with songs created by Public Enemy.
Plot:
Jake Shuttlesworth (Washington) is a convicted felon serving a life sentence for killing his wife. He's offered a chance at parole if he can convince his estranged son, Jesus (Ray Allen), the top high school basketball player in the country, to sign a letter of intent to play for the governor's alma mater. The film explores the complex relationship between Jake and Jesus, navigating themes of family, redemption, and the pressures of fame and athletic expectations.
Trailer
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Cast
- Denzel Washington as Jake Shuttlesworth
- Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth
- Milla Jovovich as Dakota Burns
- Rosario Dawson as Lala Bonilla
- Hill Harper as Coleman 'Booger' Sykes
- Zelda Harris as Mary Shuttlesworth
- Ned Beatty as Warden Wyatt
- Jim Brown as Spivey
- John Turturro as Coach Billy Sunday
- Roger Guenveur Smith as Big Time Willie
- Bill Nunn as Uncle Bubba
- Michele Shay as Aunt Sally
- Thomas Jefferson Byrd as Sweetness
- Lonette McKee as Martha Shuttlesworth
- Leonard L. Thomas as Crudup
- Travis Best as Himself
- Walter McCarty as Himself
- John Wallace as Himself
- Rick Fox as Himself
- Charles Barkley as Himself
- Shaquille O'Neal as Himself
Other cast members include Joseph Lyle Taylor, Ned Eisenberg, and Dick Anthony Williams
Director: Spike Lee
Writer: Spike Lee
Box Office Gross: $21,567,853
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1998
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 4, 2016
