Superb acting and great cinematographic style are muddled by an unbalanced plot

Rating: Null/10 (21 December 2000)

Convicted felon Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington) receives a one week release from prison to convince his son (Ray Allen)--America's top prep basketball player--to attend the governor's college alma mater. Promising premise and able cast are sold short by a plot that incessantly indulges in gratuitous (and completely unrelated) sex and nudity. Even with the single-note moral points on fatherhood and temptation pummelled home in an obvious, unimaginative fashion, the film practically sinks to exploitation level. Spike Lee's colorful, stylish cinematography and Washington's usual, solid performance make this one bearable.