"The Rookie" is a heartwarming story about a man who rediscovers his dream. It reminds us of a novel one would order from a seventh grade reading teacher. It's a wholesome story of challenge and personal growth. Disney intends the film for kids, or perhaps for the kid in anyone who can appreciate baseball.
The story could seem like an ABC after-school special to those viewers who love guns and zombies, but "The Rookie" is not pretentious. The film simply serves its purpose well. It is based on a true story, and although we hear that fact repeated a lot, it makes a big difference in whether or not we enjoy what we are watching (in this writer's opinion, anyway).
"The Rookie" stars Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris, a washed-up science teacher from, well, nowhere since his father used to make him travel all over the country as a result of his military career. When Jim finally settles for good in a small town in Texas, there is no high school baseball team and his childhood dream seems crushed.
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Sometime later, the Milwaukee Brewers draft him, but he gets hurt in the minor leagues and never plays again (though we don't see any of that part). From time to time he throws baseballs at a fence to relax (maybe I should try that), but he never throws to a catcher until the catcher on the high school team he coaches goads him into "bringing the heat" one day after practice.
Pretty soon the rest of the team figures out how good Coach Morris is and becomes disappointed that he doesn't pursue his dream of playing in the big leagues. When he accuses them of quitting after they lose a game, they challenge him right back. The team gives him an ultimatum: if we win the district title and go to the state playoffs, you have to go to a mini-camp and try out for the pros.
Are you intrigued? Whether you are or not, this movie impresses us with its character. I realize that among "kids" our age, "The Rookie" could never hope to compete with such noble films as "Sorority Boys" or "Resident Evil." Transvestites and babes that blow up zombies are far too mesmerizing (much sarcasm intended here).
But isn't there an upside to seeing a movie when you know you will not puke (Blade II), see naked people (Monster's Ball), get lost in grief (In the Bedroom) or feel like someone has beaten you up with sticks, shot at you and fed you mind-altering drugs (Memento)?
If you have a close friend or relative half your age and height, maybe this is the film you want them to see. I would further assert that children would choose this movie over an R-rated slaughter drama. Did you ever stop and think about why that is the case? If children can appreciate this movie more than us college students, what do they have that we don't?
Okay, I'm coming down from my soapbox now.
The movie has a slightly slow pace, but not for those of us who can understand the painfully slow process of achieving that dream. The cast members give solid performances, right down to little Hunter Morris (Angus T. Jones), Jim's 6-year-old son. He steals the show with his cuteness factor - he and dad have a little straightman-funnyman thing going on.
Special mention goes to Quaid, who must carry this whole movie on his shoulders. We haven't seen him for a while, but he is quite believable as a tentative 30-something pitcher. He even throws a baseball with a big-league throwing motion.
Lorri Morris (Rachel Griffiths) also makes a big impression on us. Her big line comes when Jim asks her how he could travel with a minor league team when he is needed at home. Her response is stunning: "I'm a Texas girl. We don't need a man around to keep things runnin'." You go girl.
I can sum up this review in one statement - what you see is what you get. When we see darker films about broken lives and broken relationships, we remember things that can make relationships (i.e. marriage) painful. Those who watch "The Rookie" will remember some reasons why achieving any dream, be it baseball or a magnificent marriage, is extraordinary.
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