White Men Can't Jump

1992
R
1h 55m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

100K

YOUR RATING

Black and white basketball hustlers join forces to double their chances of winning money on the street courts and in a basketball tournament.

Play trailer2:06

1 Video

31 Photos

Basketball Buddy Comedy Comedy Sport

Two basketball hustlers, black Sidney Deane and white Billy Hoyle, join forces to double their chances of winning money on the street courts as well as in a tournament.Two basketball hustlers, black Sidney Deane and white Billy Hoyle, join forces to double their chances of winning money on the street courts as well as in a tournament.Two basketball hustlers, black Sidney Deane and white Billy Hoyle, join forces to double their chances of winning money on the street courts as well as in a tournament.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

100K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 6 nominations

Trivia
When Woody Harrelson was making this movie, the producers hired Bob Lanier, the retired Detroit Pistons' center, as a basketball coach. Harrelson, who had played some basketball in college, was bragging to Lanier about what a great player he was. Lanier invited Harrelson to play a little one-on-one. Harrelson later described it as "the most embarrassing fifteen minutes of my life."

Goofs
Before the second hustle game in Watts, Sidney declares the game to be "make it take it", meaning a team retains possession of the ball after scoring a basket. However, after Billy makes the first shot of the game, their opponents (Robert and Zeke) take possession of the ball.

Quotes
Sidney Deane: [to Junior, after losing his borrowed money to Billy in a shooting challenge on the Venice Beach basketball courts] Oh man shut your anorexic malnutrition tapeworm-having overdose on Dick Gregory Bahamian diet-drinking ass up. Leave me alone!

Crazy credits
In the opening credits, we can hear the classical 20th Century Fox Fanfare in a hip hop style.

Alternate versions
Some U.S. video versions are three minutes longer.

Connections
Edited into White Men Can't Jump: Deleted Scene (2000)

Soundtracks
Mood Indigo
Written by Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard and Irving Mills

User reviews122

Review

Featured review

7/10

More than just basketball

Recently seeing a trailer for a remake of this iconic but somewhat forgotten 90's film made me realise the original was long overdue a rewatch.

It is more than just a sports film, it's a an evolution of the 'buddy' movies and 'odd couple' movies of 80's (think Lethal Weapon, Stir Crazy, Twins, Trading Places). So in effect it is about the relationship, and the chemistry between Snipes and Harrelson is excellent. You really feel for each character in their highs and especially lows throughout the movie, and wonder how they will scrape themselves out the next scam they create.

The games scenes are really well shot with slo-mo action of the actors doing some cool skills and plays on the court, making me wonder how long they trained at basketball to prepare for this film!? The comedy element does not get overlooked either and the banter between the two leads is especially fun and does not feel forced. Also worth a mention is the scene of the store hold up robbery which is a genuinely funny moment.

On the downside, It does feel a little dated now, from the court fashion to the scenes of the tough neighbourhoods and the assorted hustlers and gangs, you don't get the impression of any true danger to the interlopers. Also some of the stereotypes are quite cliched, but then the film is really based wholly on the one big stereotype of the title.

Overall a good movie that is original and has a more genuinely fun interplay of characters than you might expect. A fun and somewhat underrated movie.

7/10.

Movie_Beta
Apr 20, 2023
Permalink

Top picks

Everything New on Hulu in November

There's a whole lot to love about Hulu's streaming offerings this month — get excited for brand-new series premieres and film favorites to watch at home.

See the list