Review of Hardball (2001) by Bill C — 28 Nov 2008

Ok, look, I know that I harp on Keanu Reaves quite a bit for his "acting ability", but he occasionally does movies I like. As a matter of fact, I like a good chunk of his movie.

But it was 2001's "Hardball", that was released shortly after the atrocious "Sweet November", where Reaves actually shocked me with his performance as Connor O' Neil, a bottom dwelling gambling addict, who owes two bookies a ton of money, and has hit rock bottom.

He has a friend, who sometimes bails him out. A bank accountant. He finally figures out however, that he's just enabling Connor's lifestyle. So he teaches him a little responsibilty, having him coach a kinds baseball team out in the projects of Chicago.

So of course, Connor takes the job, because he desperatly needs the money. But he also starts to learn about responsibility.

This movie is as contrived and paint by numbers as you can get. But I found a certain charm to it. Especially with the kids. Who act and talk like kids in the projects probably do. And lets face it, kids in general today, they swear and say words that they shouldnt've even heard.

One of the most interesting characters in the movie is G-Baby, who is too young and too small to play on the team, however, Connor doesen't have the heart too tell him he can't stay. So he kind of becomes his assistant coach.

We all know what happens, Connor at first just tries to cruise through it, but than something happens, which forces him to take more responsibility.

What I wish they would've done, was focus a little more on the lives of the kids, and how they cope with living in the projects, they touch on it, but don't really go into much depth.

However, Reaves & the kids have a good on screen banter wth each other, and you can see that the kids are just looking for someone to look up too, and really hope they've found it in Connor.

Connor of course meets there teacher, Diane Lane, who is interested in Connor merely because, she wants to see what the kids see, because she feels there's something extra abut him, beneath his exterior.

Ok, look the story is anything but clever, or original, but for some reason, the way things play out, and plus the actors, all do really well here. Including Reaves.

There is of course a tragic turn in the movie, when the "big game" scene leaves us hanging. We soon figure out why. After that tragedy, Reaves delivers one of the best scenes of his career.

Hardball is a nice little guilty pleasure that isn't mind blowing, but very enjoyable. And I have to say I really enjoyed Keanu Reaves here.