BORING!!

Rating: 3/10 (27 April 2001)

How many more flops will Kevin Costner be involved in before his career finally ends? "For Love of the Game" is just another step in that direction, after such recent bad films like The Bodyguard (which shockingly made a lot of $$$), Waterworld, and The Postman.
First of all, at 135 minutes, FLOTG, is WAY too long. Part of the beginning scenes are followed by a flashback that reappears later in the film. Kevin Costner gets involved with Kelly Preston in a relationship that cannot be better described than puppy love. It's stupid and ridiculous how these characters shift back and forth from being together and then splitting apart, and/or having their feeling hurt. I mean, when a relationship is this much of a roller-coaster ride, I'm sure its a strong bet that it won't work out in the long run. But the main problem is that neither one is these two is willing to *commit* to each other.
Then there's the whole matter of the "final game" in which Costner is determined to pitch the perfect game. But will he? Becuase he's so ticked off about being traded by his team, etc. I seriously couldn't care less, but since I was stuck in the theatre, I decided to make up some suspense of my own.
That moment came went a rookie player came up to bat. There was a brief scene in which Costner and this guy had a brief, but pleasant conversation. I was wondering since Costner was retiring, he would shift all the fame to this young rookie, who would *maybe* be the only player to make a hit in the game. Oh, the suspense of what he might do!
One thing though about Costner, is that he seems to be playing roles that cry out to the audience "Look at me! I'm this hero! Love me! Please, love me!" Whatever. We will only love Costner when he starts to make films again like the nonstop suspenseful No Way Out, where not only he is the MAIN attraction.