Well made and likable

Rating: 7/10 (27 October 2002)

Dennis Quaid is well cast as Jim Morris in this true story of an older guy who tries out for the major leagues after coaching his high school to a division title. Quaid is totally believable in the role and that's where the heart of this film lies. The wrong actor would have sunk this film but Quaid has always been so physically fit that he can portray this aging "wanna be ballplayer" and his natural charm makes you root for him all the more. I've always thought that Quaid was an underrated actor and he seems to be getting better as he gets a little older. The story is old fashioned and at times sappy but I think that would be nit-picking. Although I do have one major gripe, Rachel Griffiths is a major actress but her role here as Quaid's wife is a throw away. She really doesn't have any effective scenes and her role is reduced to being the supportive wife. In essence, any actress could have played the part. If your making a film with Rachel Griffiths you had better give her something interesting to do! But I did enjoy the film and I liked the way the director John Lee Hancock took his time telling the story. The pacing is good and its also very well photographed. Its not a great film but how can you knock a movie that has so much heart? I couldn't, and I sat back and bought into it and enjoyed myself!