Why White Men Can’t Jump is the best buddy movie ever

White Men Can’t Jump features protagonist with character defects

In the classic novel, “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” author Ray Bradbury offers this pearl of wisdom: “Too late, I found you can’t wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.”

Alas, no human being is capable of achieving perfection; that’s why underdogs are so popular. We see a little bit of ourselves in them. Audiences will immediately identify with Billy Hoyle. Not only is he out of work and living in a motel with his girlfriend, he’s also constantly underestimated. He is the living embodiment of the phrase “down and out,” yet he carries himself as if he does not know it.

If Hoyle’s economic circumstances weren’t enough to bring him down, the fact that he’s in debt to a couple of bookies certainly will. His skills on the basketball court were enough to earn him a scholarship to go to college. They were also good enough to grab the attention of loan sharks and illegal gamblers.

They are persuasive enough to get him to agree to throwing a game. However, once he’s in the heat of competition, Hoyle’s competitive fire won’t let him cost his team the game. He’s been on the run ever since.

It would seem that owing money to guys who have a reputation for braking arms and legs would be enough to get Billy Hoyle to stop gambling altogether. Unfortunately, it’s the complete opposite.

Over the years, he becomes a compulsive gambler and it is this trait that constantly gets him into trouble. Audiences will find themselves hoping he can find his way out of a jam, and get some help for his addiction along the way.