She Hate Me (2004)

Fired from his job for exposing corrupt business practices, a former biotech executive turns to impregnating wealthy lesbians for profit.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers:

Michael Genet (story), Michael Genet (screenplay)

Stars:

Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Ellen Barkin

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Mackie	...	John Henry 'Jack' Armstrong
Kerry Washington	...	Fatima Goodrich
Ellen Barkin	...	Margo Chadwick
Monica Bellucci	...	Simona Bonasera
Jim Brown	...	Geronimo Armstrong
Ossie Davis	...	Judge Buchanan
Jamel Debbouze	...	Doak
Brian Dennehy	...	Chairman Billy Church
Woody Harrelson	...	Leland Powell
Bai Ling	...	Oni
Lonette McKee	...	Lottie Armstrong
Paula Jai Parker	...	Evelyn
Q-Tip	...	Vada Huff
Dania Ramirez	...	Alex Guerrero
John Turturro	...	Don Angelo Bonasera

Storyline

Harvard-educated biotech executive John Henry Jack Armstrong gets fired when he informs on his bosses, launching an investigation into their business dealings by the Securities & Exchange Commission. Branded a whistle-blower and therefore unemployable, Jack desperately needs to make a living. When his former girlfriend Fatima, a high powered businesswoman--and now a lesbian--offers him cash to impregnate her and her new girlfriend Alex, Jack is persuaded by the chance to make easy money. Word spreads and soon Jack is in the baby-making business at $10,000 a try. Lesbians with a desire for motherhood and the cash to spare are lining up to seek his services. But, between the attempts by his former employers to frame him for security fraud and his dubious fathering activities, Jack finds his life, all at once, becoming very complicated.

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Plot Keywords:

male prostitution | lesbianism | frame up | business corruption | businessman | 

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Taglines:

From the director of "She's Gotta Have It" and "25th Hour," a new film about one heterosexual male and 18 lesbians.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic sexuality/nudity, language and a scene of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Spanish

Release Date:

30 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ella me odia

Filming Locations:

Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,016, 1 August 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$365,134, 12 December 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Rule 8

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Spike Lee came up with the title from watching X.F.L. (2001). A player named Rod Smart gained some notoriety by nicknaming himself "He Hate Me."

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Goofs

The red light on the camera is reflected in the bank manager's door.

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Quotes

John Henry 'Jack' Armstrong: What is that?
Alex Guerrero: It's a turkey baster. You're not poking that thing inside me, I don't do dick
Fatima Goodrich: Don't look at me, I want it the old fashioned way

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Connections

Referenced in CSI: NY: Jamalot (2005)

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Soundtracks

Will o' the Wisp
by Matheu Manuel de Falla and Patrick Russ
Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP) o/b/o itself and Chester Music Ltd. (PRS)

User Reviews

Clever and striking...Spike Lee delivers with She Hate Me

Spike Lee's latest effort "She Hate Me" has been a debate for moviegoers. Some like it, some don't. I love Spike's work but that doesn't mean I am biased. I went into "She Hate Me" expecting the worst. But like most of Spike's films, I liked it. Some parts did make me cringe a bit but overall it is a clever film. You all know who the story goes, Jack Armstrong (Anthony Mackie) witnesses the suicide of his co-worker and finds a CD with his co-worker confessing of the company's (Progeia) wrong doings. Jack gets fired from his VP position and his bank accounts are frozen. His ex-fiancée Fatima (Kerry Washington) and her lesbian lover Alex (the stunningly beautiful Dania Ramirez) gives Jack an offer he can't refuse. He gets to impregnate ("the old fashion way") 18 lesbians for the price of 10 grand each. He does what he has to do until his ex-boss Leland Powell (Woody Harrelson) finds out about it and get him on charges. Also in the storyline is Monica Bellucci's character get impregnated with her mob family knowing about it. I heard that this film is confusing and a big mess but if you follow Spike's films you know that he has done this his whole career. All of his film's go off the storyline and gives the audience a chance to know the character. By the end of the film, you feel connected with Jack, Fatima, Alex and all the other characters surrounding them. Another thing that Spike did a good job on was the portrayal of lesbians. Unlike other films, "She Hate Me" doesn't portray them as sex vixens who have nothing on their mind but sex. But as smart, intelligent and funny women that are concerned about family values and the society surrounding them, and maybe a little bit of sex. I really think that Spike redeemed himself with "She Hate Me". Nothing was wrong with "25th Hour",it's a great film, but it just didn't feel too much like a Spike Lee joint. "She Hate Me" is a sassy comedy and very entertaining. Watch out for the Bush bashing scenes.

She Hate Me- rated R *** out of ****