The Crowning Jewel of Costner's Baseball Trilogy

Rating: 10/10 (5 April 2000)

Kevin Costner takes a lot of heat for both his acting ability and his choice of movies. However, no one can slight him in any of his three tributes to the Great American Pastime. In Bull Durham, he showed us how fun the game can be, both on the field and off. Field of Dreams was a tribute to the nature of the game itself and how it affected America, the American Dream, and our lives. Now, in For Love of the Game, the film adaptation from Michael Shaara's second best novel, he again tips his hat to this great game and the way that it inhabits every aspect of our lives and loves. Excellent filmmaking compliments an impressive adaptation of the novel, which chronicles the relationship of a celebrated Detroit Tigers pitcher and the woman he loves almost as much as the game. The final game of the season acts as the backdrop for the flashbacks of the relationship, and the two storylines are brought together well in the end. Kelly Preston delivers a good supporting role, and anyone who questions Kevin Costner's acting skills should study this film closely. Once you see Billy Chapel's face when he remembers the mistakes he made and the hurt that he caused Jane, you will never again disparage the man.