this movie had the potential to be a favorite before I walked into the theater

Rating: 8/10 (12 September 1999)

Alright, I'm going to preface these comments by stating that: 1.) I grew up a Detroit Tigers fan, and 2.) I am a fan of Costner, so if you are expecting harsh criticism, stop reading now. That said, after hearing of this movie some time ago and keeping up with the production details and pre-release information, this movie had a seemingly insurmountable level of hype to live up to in my mind and it is a testament to the film that it did so and more. Raimi has successfully woven together two storylines that you actually care about. You aren't anxiously awaiting another flashback while Billy Chapel is on the mound, and you aren't pining for the baseball storyline when Chapel is reliving his failed romance...each are enthralling in their own ways.
With the ninety-minute romantic comedy almost extinct, this is a two hour film that I really didn't want to end when it did. So, again, take my comments with a grain of salt. This movie may not automatically jump into your all-time top 5 as it did for me, but if you are a romantic-comedy fan, prepare to be impressed. My only problem now is that I have to wait another two weeks before it is released in theaters.