White Men Can't Jump (1992): A Retrospective

[Spirit Zero]

Well here is a movie title that would probably cause some issues if it were released in the present day.

The first collaboration between Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson was in this unique 'sports comedy' from the early 90's from director Ron Shelton. Its a tale of hustlin' hoops on the west coast. Billy (Harrelson) is a young white male who used to play university basketball (I assume that's a good level because I'm British and I have no clue) in his earlier days but has since run into trouble with some locals hoods. Being a good basketball player he successfully hustles streetballers on their courts by projecting an image that he is useless simply because he is white. Most of the streetballers are African Americans and they automatically assume Billy will be garbage.

Billy plays up his whiteness by deliberately dressing like a typical whiteboy trying to be cool. One sunny day he successfully hustles Sidney Deane (Snipes) in front of all his bros. Deane recognises the hustle and offers Billy a deal to work together hustlin' other players in the area (around LA). The story follows this turbulent 'partnership' as Billy struggles with his love life, gambling/money issues, and the debt he owes to the mobsters. Whilst Sidney must also deal with his wife and child and keeping his image intact.

So Shelton has written and directed a number of sports flicks and they have all varied in quality, I think. In 1988 there was the successful Kevin Costner vehicle 'Bull Durham'. Then in 1994 there was the middling 'Cobb'. Then another Costner vehicle in 1996 about golf in 'Tin Cup', which wasn't as popular as his first Costner collaboration. And then lastly in 1999 he directed Harrelson again in 'Play It to the Bone'. So clearly the man likes the sports genre.

This movie focuses more on the ups and downs of its two protagonists as they struggle to make ends meet, rather than sports. When we do get some sports it's most definitely energetic and engaging (I mean if we're honest here, the movie is simply all about making cool looking basketball choreography), but at the same time a bit shallow. Although I can also say that the flashes of basketball we do get are far more entertaining than the other bits and I found myself getting bored when the duo weren't mouthing off on the court. Yes the constant stream of verbal profanity and 'your mama' jokes are indeed amusing to a degree but again I found myself wanting them to shut up and play.

The actual basketball is well shot and edited but it leaves you wanting. Apparently Snipes and Harrelson trained a lot for this movie and it does show. Both are clearly highly competent with the ball with numerous shots of good pass play, dunking, lay-ups, dribbling skills, three-pointers, and straight shooting from the free throw line. The snappy editing does wonders for the pace of these sequences as does the odd bits of slow-motion to highlight to odd trick shot, dribble or play. The nice touches of having sweat flicking and dripping off players as they play in the LA heat also really adds to the whole vibe (unless it was actual sweat of course).

The problem I had with these sequences was the fact they tended to be very up close and personal with the actors and you don't get much scope. Sure you'll get the odd shot that pans out but for the most part it's all very tight forcing you to just accept that something cool happened. Obviously this done more so with the actors rather than the various real NBA players who made cameos in the film. Don't get me wrong it all looks great; the sunny humid locations, the 90's stylings, the huge white sneakers, the sweat, the somewhat scummy residents watching the games from the sidelines etc...It's all brilliantly effective and realistic looking (inspiring a crap-tonne of future videogames), but at times you just don't see everything.

The locations they use around the LA area certainly help the movie and its vibe. I've never been to LA but this movie really sells you that seedy rundown element of some of the suburban areas. I found myself both loving and hating all the shitty motels Billy and his girlfriend (Rosie Perez with an outrageous Nu Yawk accent) keep dodging too. It actually reminded me of the Miami area with all the pastel coloured buildings on display. The various courts the guys play on are really well scouted too. The only way I can describe them is your typical SNES street basketball type game look; even though this movie inspired those very games and their look.

The comedy, like the entire movie, is somewhat dated now it has to be said. As already mentioned it can get tiresome listening to various characters rant on and on about how good they are or how ugly someones mama is or the array of street jargon which pops up. Indeed there is one sequence where Billy simply doesn't shut up shouting at their opponents trying to psych them out. Off the court things are still pretty madcap with both of the lads trying to keep their lives afloat. But none of it is really that interesting frankly. We know they both have cash flow problems and live in bad neighbourhoods, we get that.

Sidney is more money savvy whilst Billy is infuriatingly stupid with his. Yet I also found it quite unbelievable when Sidney actually took Billy's recent winnings on a stupid bet over dunking. At that point you think they are getting close, and Sidney knows how precarious Billy's personal life is, yet he still takes advantage of him. At the same time the subplot concerning the mobsters after Billy for a gambling debt is pretty non-existent really. There is no real threat or tension with it, it doesn't affect anything much, and its resolved neatly in the end no fuss.

So what do we learn from this movie? Well, if some bloke keeps large sums of cash in his pants (and not in a wallet) then chances are he's probably up to no good or knows something you don't.

But seriously, whilst the story itself isn't anything too original it is at least pretty rough around the edges. Two guys team up to hustle, they are really good, we see them beating various opponents, and they end up entering a competition for a big prize. The only difference is its surrounding street basketball. The twists come in the form of the duo actually breaking up despite winning an earlier big competition (yes there are two big competitions) because Sidney double crosses Billy. And in the end despite Billy winning he actually loses his girlfriend and seemingly ends up remaining a streetball hustler (?).

Yet, I dunno if it was me just being British but despite everything I still couldn't help but feel where these characters lived looked...amazing. Sure they lived in rundown areas but look at the beach and sea view on their doorstep! But maybe that's just me being naive.

It's definitely a bit of a cult movie and somewhat forgotten about now, but I can't deny its aged. The highlight is obviously Harrelson and Snipes working off each other in their first buddy movie. The other main attractions would be the slam-dunking basketball sequences and quickfire trash talkin'. Everything else in between is easily forgotten because it's pretty much inconsequential. But bottom line the movie looks great. Some great shots, great sequences, lots of sweaty biceps if that's your thing, and a feel-good factor despite not having a particularly happy ending or storyline.


7/10

[levcore]

Amazing movie, love it. I wish they'd work together again, especially as Harrelsons career is going so great and Snipes isn't.

[kylor]

A great movie and does deserve its own thread, rightly so. I'd personally give it an 8/10, or 4/5 if we were ranking it on a poll. Woody and Wesley really do play off of each other really well. There's definitely a chemistry between them that translates awesomely on screen.

[DVD Josh]

Yeah I rank it higher too, 8/10 at least. Great buddy comedy movie with excellent bball sequences.

[therealjondoe]

Classic
I wouldnt have minded a sequel to this.

[Mr. Chaverria]

Irony of this thread. Starts off saying that the title wouldn't work today. We got a remake recently too. Ha.

Anyways... Always wanted to see this cuz the title is cool. And it's Snipes w/ Harrelson.

Didn't know Rosie Perez was in this. She really was such a unique person. I remember seeing her on Soul Train as a kid. She had/has this weird cute and sexy thing to her. I've only seen in her 4 things now. Do The Right Thing, White Men Can't Jump, Pineapple Express (I almost spit out my drink once I saw her in this), and Birds of Prey.

Just finished it. Snipes and Harrelson make this thing work so well. Man, I miss this Snipes. This snap to him. Just charismatic and exciting. Demolition Man, love that thing.

I like how it doesn't end how you'd think. People lose and win for sure. I'm not sure what I thought it was going to be like. I knew the gist. White guy and black guy buddy film of sorts, basketball is what it revolved around to some point. Pleasantly surprised how it handled the beats of the film. Really liked how it showed the games. Saw it on Max, looked rough. Seems like we last got a BD of it here in 2012. Yeah, would be nice to get this one cleaned up.

[Jay Mammoth]

The whole damn band is white except for Jimmy