Review of For Love of the Game (1999) by Blanky A — 20 Jul 2009

This picture is nothing if not predictable, even as it tries to hold elements in suspense, like the outcome of the game and Chapel's final decision on his retirement. Then, of course, there's Jane, at the airport about to depart to London forever. While awaiting her flight, she watches the game from a bar in the international terminal, surrounded by Yankee fans and barely holding back her tears. Will she get on the plane or will there be an romantic watershed reunion? What do you think?

Even so, Raimi and Costner have the audience on puppet strings. I may complain about the shameless heartstrings manipulation, the foredrawn conclusions, the Vaseline on the lens in romantic moments and above all about the 137 minute length (no studio should ever give Costner final cut). But the fact is, the spirit of this movie got to me and I'd gladly see it again.