He Got Game is a 1998 American sports film directed by Spike Lee that has a man (Denzel Washington) in prison for killing his wife and up for parole for a week to persuade his son (Ray Allen) to play at the Governors alma mater.
The movie also stars Milla Jovovich, John Turturro, Rosario Dawson, and Hill Harper.
It was released on May 1, 1998.
Tropes for the film:
- Accidental Murder: Jake accidentally killed his wife six years prior to the film and his son is still angry at his father for what had happened.
- Bittersweet Ending: Jesus reconciles with Jake and goes to Big State, just like Jake and the governor wanted. Unfortunately, Jesus did not sign the letter of intent that would allow Jake to be released from prison early, so Jake goes back to prison as a result.
- Cradle of Loneliness: When the governor lets Jake (Washington) out of jail temporarily so that he can convince his son (a star basketball player) to go to the governor's university, he makes a stop at the cemetery to see and then embrace the grave of his wife, whom he accidentally killed years ago.
- Time-Shifted Actor: Jesus Shuttlesworth is shown both at age 12 and age 18 over the course of the film.
- You're Not My Father: Jesus repeatedly tells Jake this throughout the film, showing his resentment towards his father for accidentally killing his mother.
