Last weekend, The Hoop Doctors made it possible for me to view an advanced screening of Just Wright, easily one of the best basketball movies since Glory Road in 2006. So many aspects make this a good movie, but what makes it really fun to watch is that you can tell it was a movie made by basketball fans—for basketball fans.
When you think of the great basketball movies what comes to mind? Hoosiers? Above the Rim? Blue Chips? White Men Can’t Jump? Perhaps, a new classic like Coach Carter? Despite the cheesy title, prepare to add Just Wright to the list.
To give full disclosure, this is a spectacular basketball/date movie, not just a basketball movie, so bring your significant other because it will entertain you both.
Just Wright works because, while it’s not your traditional basketball movie, it does not stray too far from the formula. This movie has a good cast, believable performances, a solid soundtrack, star cameos, and, perhaps most importantly, realistic basketball scenes.
Directed by Sanna Hamri (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2), Just Wright is loaded with new and recognizable talent. This talent ranges from Chicago rapper Common (Terminator Salvation and American Gangster) starring in his first major picture as a leading man, to his mother played by the well-known Phylicia Rashad (“The Bill Cosby Show”). Rapper, Academy Award-nominated actress, label president, author and entrepreneur, Queen Latifah (Chicago and Jungle Fever) plays the love interest in the film. Her childhood friend is played by Paula Patton (Precious), and Latifah’s mother is played by legendary icon Pam Grier (“The ‘L’ Word,” Jackie Brown, and Foxy Brown).
Loosely based on Cinderella, the story focuses on Scott McKnight (played by Common), an all-star point guard for the New Jersey Nets, who has to choose between a relationship with superficial-basketball-wife-wannabe Morgan Alexander (Paula Patton) and super-fan-trainer-tom girl Leslie Wright (Queen Latifah).
What really works in Just Wright is that both Latifah and Common are relatable and believable. Their chemistry then takes that to another level, making the movie even more entertaining.
The hip-hop and jazz-heavy soundtrack is punctuated by an on-screen performance by Jazz musician Terence Blanchard. A prolific motion picture jazz composer, Blanchard has worked for Spike Lee and Blue Note Records. The soundtrack also includes performances by Prince and Sting.
Another important part of many basketball movies is the NBA star cameo. Jordan had a cameo in He Got Game. Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault featured cameos from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Garnett. And, of course, Blue Chips co-starred Shaquille O’Neil and added cameos by Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, among others. Forget Paris features a bewildering array of cameos. So, if you’re looking for cameos in Just Wright [spoiler alert] there are several. In addition to announcers (like Marv Albert), former players (like Jaen Rose), and Nets owners and trainers, there are some legit NBA stars in the movie, most notably the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, the Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade, and the Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo.
What really concerns basketball fans in a movie like this is the integrity of the basketball sequences. First off, the basketball sequences were shot to increase drama and intensity, which makes each action scene entertaining. Aside from Common appearing about as tall as “Mighty Mouse” (Damon Stoudamire), the basketball scenes are realistic, well shot, and up-tempo. On the other hand, Common is physically cut and in basketball shape, so that helps make him believable as an NBA player. Even when the game was over, Common still makes you believe in his character. In the post-game interview, you could tell how much time he spent studying how players’ interviews because his performance was spot-on.
As if there are not enough reasons to see this movie, it is worth watching almost just for the Eastern Conference Finals game 7 between the Miami Heat and the New Jersey Nets. During this climactic game, Dwayne Wade showcases some seriously sick dunks.
“Just Wright” comes out May 14th, so mark your calendars, hoop fans!
R.S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. One of his life-long pursuits has been writing and covering anything related to sports, specifically the NBA. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
