It’s pretty, it’s so pretty!
Looking for a Friday Night Movie recommendation that is one part basketball and one part comedy? Well, this week we’re throwing it back to the early ‘90s with a slam dunk of a film that mixes sports, comedy, and a little bit of hustle. “White Men Can’t Jump,” directed by Ron Shelton and released in 1992, delivers non-stop laughs and some legit streetball action — going down as one of the greatest basketball movies of all time.
Plot
“White Men Can’t Jump” follows two street basketball hustlers, Billy Hoyle and Sidney Deane. Billy, who initially appears to be an easy mark due to his unassuming, non-athletic white guy demeanour, surprises Sidney on the court, leading to an unlikely partnership. The duo then sets out to hustle other players across the outdoor courts of Los Angeles. However, as their stakes grow higher, so do the personal stakes — Billy is desperately trying to settle a gambling debt and retrieve his girlfriend Gloria from the clutches of loan sharks, while Sidney struggles to improve his family’s living conditions. Their hustle extends beyond the court as they navigate their personal lives, ambitions, and inevitable clashes.
Cast
Woody Harrelson brings a charming mix of desperation and cocky ignorance as Billy Hoyle, while Wesley Snipes shines as the slick, street-smart Sidney Deane. Their chemistry makes the film, delivering rapid-fire trash talk and genuine moments of camaraderie that define their relationship. Rosie Perez adds a memorable performance as Gloria, Billy’s quick-witted girlfriend, whose obsession with making it on Jeopardy adds a quirky subplot to the film.
Reviews
“White Men Can’t Jump” was well-received for its humour and the chemistry between Woody and Wesley, securing a solid score 65% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score. On IMDb with 6.9/10, critics praised the film for its energetic dialogue and the way it cleverly subverts sports movie clichés, making it more than just a basketball film.
Trailer
How To Watch White Men Can’t Jump
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This Friday transport back to the 90s with “White Men Can’t Jump”.
