Review of The Phenom (2016) by Wes I — 09 Feb 2017

Watching this film on a whim helped me discover Bushcel's previous films, including the excellent "Glass Chin." He is a fine film-maker with a promising future, although frankly it's already been realized in my opinion.

This movie concerns the struggles of a young hurler fresh to the Majors after an outstanding High School and meteoric Minor League career. Physically he's fine but in a flash the "yips" have over-come his ability to repeat his early success.

Enter a Sports Psychologist with an equally quick rise through his profession to see what kinks need ironing out. The biggest being "Hopper Gibson" domineering but dead-beat Dad, intruding back in the kid's life at a stressful and cross-roads kind of time.

The cast is brilliant, everyone plays their roles to the hilt w/o hamming it up or calling any more attention to themselves than needed. Giamatti is particular as the calm-but-direct Dr. Mobley; you'll wonder if he doesn't have a future as a therapist, or has been at some point. Hawke is amazing in a role unlike I've seen him play before (I've seen him play an antagonist, but not one this uncomfortably convincing.).

Simmons chagrin was palpable, and though he wasn't always completely convincing as a 98-mph throwing hurler, he certainly was at showing fearful respect for his Dad (despite the incessant badgering) and the motel-scene will certainly stick in a young buck's mind who dreams of life on the road.

A note-perfect look into a subject seldom broached in a sports' film. Concise and superbly acted, and none of the trumped-up maudlin that pervades films of this kind: Hopper does not finish this touching film by tossing a perfect-o or anything so silly. What he does is even more astonishing, and real.

An instant favorite of mine from the first watch. Buschel, you are to be commended for your efforts. Anyone who found this to be "boring" must also suffer from finger-joint aches from chronic phone-texting.