Warning:
For lack of anything useful to do in the geology line, and in view of
the fact that it is too gloomy outside to do much of anything there, I plan to while
away a few hours doing Golden Oldie reviews – and the next four of them will be
sports related and, moreover, all but one star the same guy. So, if you are bored by sports and/or are put
off by Kevin Costner, go read something, play cards, or enjoy a good nap –
because, here goes. . .
Of the three
Costner baseball movies I think I like For
Love of the Game best. It has a nice
love story, some wholesome family stuff – and some seriously captivating
baseball. Moreover, these disparate
elements are artfully interwoven (think: flashbacks) to tell a tale that,
although totally predictable, sucks you in all the same. Costner is spot on as an aging ace pitcher,
John C. Reilly is excellent as his catcher, and Kelly Preston is appealing as
the inevitable love interest. The movie
was directed by Sam Raimi and released in 1999 – to a chorus of boos and rotten
eggs from the critics. However, as I
frequently say – what do they know?
Critics go to theaters to see films with vital social content
presented as art, whereas I go to the
movie to see pictures that are fun to watch.
Big difference, if you think about it.
Also, I don’t
get why so many people dislike Costner. Sure,
he’s rich and famous and, as an actor not in the same league as, say, Tom Hanks
or Russell Crow, let alone Marlon Brando,
As an actor he is, shall we say, adequate . But as a presence
he has few equals. If you were bullied
in high school (I was not), Costner is the kind of guy you would have wanted as
a best friend.
So ignore
Roger Ebert and see this movie, again. B+
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