Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Dennis Quaid stars as a middle-aged father who takes a second stab at playing professional baseball. Based on the true story of Jimmy Morris.
LovedLikedDislikedHated
Thoughts
A nice story that sure took its time to tell.
Pretty much an underdog formula film needs likable people to root for, and The Rookie succeeded amply. Quaid was charming, his kids were cute, the wife was understanding, the townspeople and his students were all decent people. By the time the film was ready to get mushy, my eyes were ready to get a little teary. I appreciated the fact the film makers never resorted to cardboard cutouts or forced, exaggerated obstacles.
Interesting that the film played out like two mini-stories. Quaid and his ragtag high school baseball team promised that if they won, then he would tryout again. The director took his time on telling the baseball team's arc, as well as on Quaid's character.
While I appreciated that it took it its time for all these subplots to run their course, the pacing was also a major negative. Much like baseball, this film was slooooooooowwwww. It needed a better balance between not rushing a scene and boring the audience. And boy was I yawning at times, just watching Quaid pitching, pitching, and pitching some more. I definitely could have done without the tall tale, and with way less of Quaid's childhood scenes.
You know what you are getting in a warm and fuzzy film like this. It did it well, I wished it did not dilly-dally so much.
What I would change
Reduced all the repeating shots by 15%, and you would have a nice and tight story.
