He Got Game

It's difficult to determine what filmmakers or films are of the 'groundbreaking' nature. Based on things like opinion or country of origin, films or people can often be overlooked or over hyped. Or simply forgotten until years later when the public gets a clue. More often than not, groundbreaking films and people are immediately recognized by those in the know.
He Got Game is the story of a convict who is given a chance at freedom if he can convince his son, a high school basketball prodigy, to declare for the governors Alma mater. Ok, far fetched concept. No worries. He Got Game stars Denzel Washington, who's on his game as usual, as Jake Shuttlesworth and his son, Jesus, is played by actual NBAer Ray Allen. Spike Lee directs and the film is done in is his trademark style. The film explores the unifying power of sport or perhaps the unifying power of passions, which in this case is basketball. Jake has wronged his family because his passion ultimately clouded his good sense and the result put him in prison. Yet his passion for basketball, which he pushed onto his son, has given Jesus a future. Jesus struggles with the burden of his decision, however. It's an interesting dilemma. He has no one to ask for advice; the result of his fathers actions. The sport which was pushed on him and ruined his family is now providing him a future but one fraught with pitfalls. Keep an eye on the fantastic editing in the climatic scene in which Jake and Jesus both find ways to escape the prisons, literal and imagined, of their lives. It's done extremely well.
Spike Lee's first major film, Do The Right Thing, was a groundbreaking film in many ways. It was a powerful look at the social and cultural issues regarding race. However, it was his dynamic style that makes Do The Right Thing a landmark film. He Got Game is done in the same way, but the content is not the same. This is not to say it doesn't work. It does. It's a solid film. It just feels like Spike Lee lite.