He Got Game

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He Got Game

R

Released Apr 25, 1998

2h 14m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

83%

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25,000+ Ratings

Jake Shuttleworth (Denzel Washington) has spent the last six years in prison after accidentally killing his wife during a violent domestic dispute, leaving his son, star basketball prospect Jesus Shuttleworth (Ray Allen), to fend for himself. One day, the prison warden (Ned Beatty) approaches Jake with an unusual offer: He'll be given a week of parole to convince Jesus to attend the governor's alma mater, with the promise of a shortened sentence if he succeeds.

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Critics Consensus

Though not without its flaws, He Got Game finds Spike Lee near the top of his game, combining trenchant commentary with his signature visuals and a strong performance from Denzel Washington.

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Michael Rechtshaffen

The Hollywood Reporter

As a director, Lee continues to hone his considerable craft and is unafraid to take creative risks along the way.

May 3, 2019

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Lacking the moral indignation and militant politics of Lee's former work, this vibrantly colorful father-son melodrama is soft at the center, but it's one of the most accessible films Lee has made and Denzel Washington is terrific.

Rated: B

Mar 25, 2008

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Lawrence Ware

The Root

“He Got Game” shows that being young, gifted and Black in America is not easy. In fact, if you’re not careful, it can destroy you.

Rated: A

Oct 13, 2023

Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Transcends the usual limits of the sports drama to become an operatic tale of temptation and forgiveness.

Sep 23, 2023

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Spike Lee sports drama has strong language, violence, sex.

Rated: 3/5

May 15, 2020

Full Review

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Jon G

A must see movie on the love of a sport that can lead to money and corruption.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

Full Review

Dionisis T

Cool and enjoyable for my first Spike Lee experience!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

Adam v

meh. like I've seen worst...but.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

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Audience Member

Not one of Spike Lee's better films in my opinion Washington makes a great presence though

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/01/23

Full Review

William M

Spike Lee, and Denzel Washington, at their absolute finest. A truly excellent film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/20/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Denzel holds down the part as a dad in prison trying to strike a deal with son. What doesn't hold is Ray Allen as an actor, super long sequences that we *think* are supposed to have underlying meaning, and sideways roles of women.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Spike Lee

Director

Denzel Washington

Jake Shuttlesworth

Ray Allen

Jesus Shuttlesworth

Milla Jovovich

Dakota Burns

Rosario Dawson

Lala Bonilla

Hill Harper

Coleman 'Booger' Sykes

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Synopsis

Jake Shuttleworth (Denzel Washington) has spent the last six years in prison after accidentally killing his wife during a violent domestic dispute, leaving his son, star basketball prospect Jesus Shuttleworth (Ray Allen), to fend for himself. One day, the prison warden (Ned Beatty) approaches Jake with an unusual offer: He'll be given a week of parole to convince Jesus to attend the governor's alma mater, with the promise of a shortened sentence if he succeeds.

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Jon Kilik, Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Spike Lee
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1998, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.6M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Surround

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