By: debbie lynn elias
It’s that time of year again – when the grass is green and its fresh mowed scent serves as a backdrop to the unmistakable aroma of fresh roasted peanuts and grilled hot dogs. When a child’s eyes are wide with wonder as they gaze upward for the very first time at those cathedrals honoring America’s favorite past-time. When the crack of a bat and the sound of a ball whizzing over the center field wall mingle with cheers…and at times jeers. Yes, it’s the opening of the 2002 baseball season but that’s not all. It’s also the opening of “The Rookie”, Hollywood’s latest honorific to this glorious sport and its well-told tale of fathers and sons, dreams, and of course, baseball.
Based on the best-selling book of the same name, “The Rookie” is the true story of Jim Morris who, at age 35, fulfilled his life long dream of playing professional baseball and made it to the major leagues, playing for two years before retiring. Although most quality baseball flicks seem to star Kevin Costner (“Bull Durham”, “Field of Dreams” and “For Love of the Game” to name a few), Dennis Quaid steps up to the plate here and knocks one out of the park with his portrayal of Jim Morris. With his natural athleticism, fine physique (he can’t really be 47!), slightly weathered good looks, to-die-for boyish grin and down home sensibilities and affability, Quaid has finally found a role that puts it all to good use and once again puts him in the forefront as a leading man.
We first meet Jimmy as a youngster. His father is Navy officer and as a result, the family relocates for most of Jimmy’s formative years before finally settling in Big Lake, Texas. Sorely lacking in affection and support from his work-obsessed father, Jimmy finds comfort, and escape, in baseball, religiously practicing his pitching come rain or shine, catcher or not. When looking to his father for approval and for the retelling of the game (since Dad never bothered to ever see him pitch), all Dad can ask is “Did you win?” With each new move, Jimmy’s only asks, “Is there a baseball team?” Unfortunately, in Big Lake there was no team. But there was a story – the story of St. Rita, a patron saint of hopeless causes, some nuns with a flair for gambling and faith, and wildcat oil prospectors. And as you looked around, you saw oil derricks pumping oil in what everyone had once believed was worthless ground. And as you looked a little further, etched into the dust around the original oil derrick was a baseball field.
Fast forward 20 years and we see Jimmy in his role as husband, father, high school chemistry teacher and baseball coach. And yes, he’s still in Big Lake. Unfortunately, the school caters to football more than baseball and the field is shoddy and grassless, team morale low and fan morale even lower. But, Jimmy is coaching ball and there at every game with wide-eyed wonder and a grin as big as Texas itself is his bat boy son, Hunter, played by Angus T. Jones. With the most infectious laughs, giggles and smiles, Angus Jones is an absolute heartbreaker and capable of stealing (and often does) every scene from the veteran Quaid.
Having played ball in college but forced to quit due to injury, Morris hasn’t pitched in years. At his peak, he was throwing 85 mph. Now, he doubts if he can get the ball to home plate. At the prodding of his team, he tosses a few – actually fires them in at 98 mph is more like it. And it’s not just once – it’s again and again and again. Could there be another miracle from St. Rita at Big Lake? Of course, and its a damn good one. On seeing Morris pitch, his team challenges him to fulfill his dream. If they win District championships, he has to try out for the big leagues. Thinking it a sucker bet, Morris agrees. But, what d’ya know! The team wins, forcing Morris to live up to his end of the bargain and, as every baseball fan knows, live up to it he does, trying out for farm clubs, getting picked up, traded up and finally moved up – to The Show.
Directed by Texas native John Lee Hancock, “The Rookie” is a classic family film. The story is well told, centering on not only on Morris’ dream and his long journey to achieving it, but his relationships with those around him along the way. Aussie Rachel Griffiths slips into the role of Lorrie Morris like a well-oiled baseball glove and her chemistry with Quaid is both beautiful and comfortable. Writer Mike Rich does an amazing job with the telling of the three generation father-son relationship between Morris and his father and Morris and Hunter. Making some of the biggest impacts are shots of little Hunter gripping the field fence in rain and shine, never taking his eyes of his dad out there on the mound. The love and devotion between this father and son just jumps off the screen, only enhancing the emotional impact of Morris’ pain over the estrangement with his father.
With its panoramic shots of the vastness of Texas and silhouettes of a lone Morris against the sunset hurling heaters, you can’t help but be swept into the story and caught in the dream. You’ll shed a tear. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll cheer. You’ll look for the nearest ball field when you leave the theater. Fathers and sons and baseball. There’s no combination like it. “The Rookie” – it’s a swing – it’s a hit – it’s going, going, gone!!! A grand slam home run.
