WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP (1992)

Is there anything Ron Shelton can’t do? Bull Durham (1988). A minor league baseball career. This banger about basketball hustlers teaming up to crush on the courts. Seriously!

I loved, loved, loved the costuming. It was 1992, which means there’s still a lot of ‘80s influences, but the ‘90s style was beginning to grow strong. Wesley Snipes is so fun in this role, giving us more Wong Foo energy than Blade. I love Rosie Perez, but she always feels like she’s doing a bit - and sometimes that works - adding to the camp of the overall film - which was the case for this movie.

It was incredible to see a mini-arc be introduced halfway through the movie for Billy (Woody Harrelson) of him not being able to dunk a ball. I was rather appreciative of the fact that Billy’s character doesn’t change much. Shelton is right in that regard. No one with that bad of a gambling problem is suddenly going to turn around and become responsible that quickly. It allowed the film, with its brightness and energy, to not feel too much like a fairy tale. 

 I felt like the film itself had 3 different endings. It could have ended around the midpoint, when they team up successfully and win the 2 on 2 competition. But the story continues, with Gloria’s (Rosie Perez) legendary Jeopardy win. At which point, you could also wrap the movie up. And yet, it continues! Sidney’s (Wesley Snipes) house is robbed! He needs to team up one last time to get some money. Honestly, I wasn’t complaining. I was along for the ride. It’s a fun romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

Food Recommendation: Frozen chocolate banana. An ideal beach treat for a hot summer day.