A typically furious and indignant film from cinematic virtuoso Spike Lee, She Hate Me takes on so many hot button issues at once that it ultimately collapses beneath its own weight. The film begins as an assault on corporate corruption (with a racial component) when Jack Armstrong (Anthony Mackie), a young black executive at a pharmaceutical company, discovers that the firm is engaged in manipulating scientific data as well as finances and blows the whistle on its high-flying boss. But before long it's Jack who's been fired and is being investigated by the SEC, and with his savings frozen and his job prospects nil, he agrees to impregnate a parade of lesbians (introduced to him by his ex-girlfriend) who want to have children and are willing to pay big bucks for his help. As if this weren't enough story for a single movie, Lee adds subplots about a client who is the daughter of a Mafia don, Jack's battling parents, and a Senate investigation headed by a blowhard politico. While there are occasional nuggets of incisive commentary here, and newcomer Mackie makes a strong impression (John Turturro also has a nifty cameo as the don), in the end She Hate Me is an undisciplined mess. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Spike Lee, a 10-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, seven deleted scenes (9 min.), a soundtrack spot, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for one of Lee's rare out and out misfires.] (F. Swietek)
She Hate Me
Columbia TriStar, 138 min., R, VHS: $50.99, DVD: $24.95, Feb. 1 Volume 20, Issue 1
She Hate Me
Star Ratings
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