Jump!! Jump!!!!

White Men Can’t Jump is a movie that I had heard good things about, but never actually seen until now.  The genre of sports-comedy is one that I find very entertaining, as was this movie.  It is also a movie that disproves itself:  white men CAN jump!

White Men Can’t jump is the story of two basketball hustlers who team up to take part in a tournament.   I quite enjoyed the film.  The environment of street basketball was captured very well, and with the combined talents of Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson this movie is funny as well having some strong dramatic points.  The juxtaposition of their lifestyles also comes across well in this movie, which is one of the reasons this movie is so entertaining.

Wesley Snipes shines as Sidney Deane.  Deane is a man who has trash-talked his way to victory on the court countless times, and Snipes plays that perfectly.  At times it feels like you are just watching Wesley Snipes be himself, not that there is anything wrong with that.  He oozes confidence in the movie, and that makes for a great character.

Woody Harrelson plays Billy Hoyle, the fish-out-of-water white kid who has hustled his way all over California.  As I see more of Harrelson’s work, I become a bigger fan of his.  I like the fact that his character’s off-court persona is a kind of mask, and that once he gets on the court he really breaks out.  He truly is someone who is not to be messed with because he will send you home crying.

Ron Shelton is the director of the movie.  There is a very naturalistic feel to the movie, as if he just put the actors on the court and let them do their thing.  I also like the way he moves the camera around the basketball court.  It really makes you feel like you are in the game.

Naturally, if you are a sports fan you will probably enjoy this movie more than most.  However, I also feel that if you are unfamiliar with the street basketball environment, this movie might give you some insight into what it is like.  This is a great film that should not be missed.