The Rookie Review
by Laura Clifford (laura AT reelingreviews DOT com)April 1st, 2002
THE ROOKIE
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In 1999, Jim Morris, a high school science teacher and baseball coach from a small town in Texas, became the oldest rookie pitcher to make the major leagues
after his team dared him to try out. Screenwriting vet John Lee Hancock ("A Perfect World"), working from a script by Mike Rich ("Finding Forrester"), makes his directorial debut with the G-rated Disney film "The Rookie."
If Hancock doesn't quite knock one out of the park, he's made at least a third base hit with this honest and affecting American story. Star Dennis Quaid, in his best role in years, keeps the 'going-for-your-dreams-thang' down to earth.
Film begins showing young Jim (Trevor Morgan, "Jurassic Park III") as an uprooted Navy brat with a love and proclivity for baseball that's not encouraged by his dour dad (Brian Cox, "L.I.E."). An odd framing device about an oil prospector, two nuns and the patron saint of impossible dreams sets the stage in Big Lake, Texas, where the scene segues to narrator Henry Sampson (Royce D. Applegate, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"), a kind-hearted dry goods proprietor and father substitute. Jumping forward decades, we find Jim (Dennis
Quaid) in a sexy/comfortable marriage with school counselor Lorri (Rachel Griffiths, "Blow," in a richly shaded performance) after blowing out his shoulder in the minor leagues years earlier.
Jim's team, the Big Lake Owls (which Texas accents turn to 'Als'), have had exactly 1 win in the past two seasons and can't get grass to grow in their field. One afternoon after practice, catcher Joe (Chad Lindberg, "The Fast and
the Furious") persuades Jim to pitch a few to him and is amazed by the coach's fastball. Soon the whole team is onto Jim and batter Wack (Jay Hernandez, "crazy/beautiful") proposes a wager that turns Jim's words back on him - if the Owls win division championship, Jim must not give up on his earlier dreams and apply for a professional tryout.
Screenwriter Rich works his Rockyesque one-two punch by bringing Jim down a few
pegs before wrapping on a high note. Jim's tryout is leavened with humor, as he arrives with his young son Hunter (Angus T. Jones, "See Spot Run") and daughters comprised of a toddler and infant. His 98 mph fastball may raise his
confidence, but his reception in the minors and guilt over his pursuit's ensuing financial burden brings confusion and self-doubt.
The film is full of lovely moments. When Jim first begins to consider pitching
again, he stops his truck on a darkened road to pitch at a speed trap. His pitches are always initiated by a closeup from behind of his hand jiggling the ball in anticipation. News of his major league call-up is shared with a son who focuses on the habits of the devil ray, frustrating his dad's childlike excitement.
Technically the film is first rate with cinematographer John Schwartzman's ("Pearl Harbor") widescreen compositions imaginatively capturing both small town life in and big time ball, all expertly edited by Eric L. Beason ("For the
Love of the Game").
"The Rookie" dispenses with the golden myth-making of baseball movies like "The
Natural" and "Field of Dreams" with their slo-mo moments and supernatural aspects and is all the better for it. It's a terrific American sports movie and Dennis Quaid is its athletic heart.
B+
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