Review of Million Dollar Arm (2014) by Bige T — 02 Jun 2014

Judd: In Million Dollar Arm, Jon Hamm plays JB Bernstein, an sports agent who, after working for "the big guys", strikes out on his own. He's got it all. A big house, a Porsche, pretty women - all, but an important client to pay the bills. About to lose his office and in a moment of desperation, JB figures out the next big untapped market is India and decides to scout cricket players to make into the next big American baseball star. Supporting cast includes Lake Bell, Alan Arkin, Aasif Mandvi, Madhur Mittal and Suraj Sharma.

Swanner: Disney has really tried to capture the feel good sports movie genre in the last few years with Remember the Titans, Miracle, Secretariat and Invincible just to name a few. Million Dollar Arm tells a good story of a guy just trying to break out on his own and the young athletes he inspirers. It's been very successful movie model for Disney. The movies are all very well received by the audiences and this one should fit in there nicely.

Judd: Sports movies are all the same to me, and Million Dollar Arm is no different. You've got the underdog, the struggling athlete and then a secondary story where the struggling athlete has to overcome some personal drama; Million Dollar Arm doesn't deviate from this formula, and I felt it a bit tiresome. There was one point where I excused myself to visit the facilities because I knew exactly what would happen in the scene, and when I got back everything that I expected transpired. I understand there are some devices that a screenwriter can't escape, but Million Dollar Arm adhered to them seemingly afraid to deviate.

Swanner: You may be right on this but if it works it works. I mentioned it was a successful movie model for Disney. People like this kind of film because no matter how it ends it's going to be happy (even if they don't win) because we've all grown and learned something. This does give us a new world to explore as India has become the new place to set movies these days. The acting was good and the sights are new. I do know after watching this movie that will never vacation in India. The food is probably wonderful but it doesn't look like air conditioning has arrived and until it does I won't.

Swanner: ***.

Judd: ** 1/2.