A fast ball

Rating: 7/10 (3 February 2010)

Jimmy Morris' passion for baseball dominated his life. The son of a Navy recruiter, Jimmy was forced to move from town to town, leaving behind his dreams of playing a major leagues, specially after arriving in the remote Big Lake, Texas, where it appears his father had his longest tour of duty. To make matters worse, football was the favorite sport.
The story, which starts during the early years of the Morris' arrival in Big Lake, changes to show us a grown Jimmy, now married, and the father of two children, managing the local high school team. Jim, who evidently tried a spot in the majors, got injured, and is resigned to the kind of life he didn't want back in his youth. One thing he never loses is the speed in which he throws a baseball. That quality will ultimately be the factor that will win him a spot with the Tampa Bay major league team, where he will make a name for himself, realizing his dream of playing professional baseball.
John Lee Hancock, the director of the film, written by Mike Rich, gives us a glimpse on the life of a man who never gave up his desire for being part of the sport that he loved. Supposedly, this picture is based on the real Jim Morris, who went to make a name for himself because of the gift he brought to the game.
It's impossible not to like the earnest performance of Dennis Quaid, an actor that is always reliable to give his best. The star is surrounded by the excellent Rachel Griffiths, relegated here to be the saintly Mrs. Morris, and Brian Cox, one of the best character actors working in movies today. Also Beth Grant shows up as Jim's mother. The film doesn't surprise, since we know where it will end, eventually, but it is a labor of love from Mr. Hancock and all the people involved in the project.