Review of 61* (2001) by Robin W — 09 Jul 2008
In an era where home run records have been tainted by steroid scandals, it's great to harken back to a time when the biggest black mark on a baseball player who achieved a record was that he was an introvert and lacked charisma.
It's hard to think of a more perfect casting choice for the much-maligned Roger Maris than Barry Pepper, and Thomas Jane is equally as good as the more beloved Mickey Mantle, making both legendary baseball stars into compelling, three-dimensional characters.
Director Billy Crystal witnessed a lot of these events first-hand as a young boy at Yankee Stadium, so he's dealing with material that's close to his heart, which is why the period detail is very convincing and authentic; he's also a first-rate storyteller, making this made-for-cable film a delight for baseball fans and great entertainment even for those who don't follow the sport.
This review of 61* (2001) was written by Robin W on 09 Jul 2008.
61* has generally received very positive reviews.
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