Ron Shelton's second outing since his breakout success with BULL DURHAM aims to be a high-energy remake of THE HUSTLER in a street-basketball setting, but succeeds only intermittently. Playground hoops phenomenon Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) walks onto a tough Venice court and smokes
the competition, including reigning champ Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes), who is duly impressed. Or so it seems, until Deane conspires with some friends to con Hoyle out of the nest egg he's saved while living with his sexy, volatile girlfriend Gloria Clemente (Rosie Perez). Gloria knocks heads with
Sidney's wife Rhonda (Tyra Ferrell), and together they come up with a plan for Sidney and Billy to compete in a sponsored two-on-two playground competition for a $5000 first prize. Sidney and Billy win easily, but Billy loses his half to Sidney on a foolish slam-dunking bet on the way home (thus
the film's title). A disgusted Gloria walks out on Billy, but he wins her back by helping her achieve her lifetime ambition to compete on the game show "Jeopardy," which she wins easily. With her winnings, Gloria wants Billy to buy some decent clothes and get a straight job. Instead, Billy wants
to take the money and bet it on one last playground match.
WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP is engaging if inconsistent, with its manifest plot loopholes compensated for by the colorful court scenes, rapid-fire dialogue and enthusiastic performances from all concerned. leave a comment
