Review of The Rookie (2002) by Steven P — 16 Aug 2008

Excellent baseball movie, with a real heart, worn on its sleeve. Quaid is in great form playing the family man and science teacher, who coaches baseball in Football-mad Texas. When he was a kid, he dreamed of pitching in the majors, but missed his chance due to injury. To help inspire his school-team, he agrees to try out again, only if they win their league. When they do, he finds he's pitching faster than ever done before.

I was completely won over by this true story. I am a big baseball-movie fan, so the dilemma of achieving a balance between pursuing a dream, and doing what's best for your family, is well dramatised and engaging here. A special mention goes to the excellent turn by Rachel Griffiths as his Texan wife. Immaculate accent by the Brit.